It's time to party

Growing up, I always remember that my parents made a big deal out of mine and my brother's birthdays and made us feel really special for a day and that is exactly the same thing I hope to do for my girls. I know that she is only 3 and probably won't remember exactly the type of party or who was there but I hope when she looks back, she remembers that her Mom and Dad made her birthday a special time for her. 

In starting to think about her party, I knew that our house was probably not going to work. Her number of friends has grown and so have their younger siblings so 15+ kids and their parents in our house is just too tight so after attending a birthday park at the local park this spring, I thought what better place to hold her party than the park. Well, the plan was set, we would hold the party the Sunday morning after we arrived home from the beach so that DeeDee and Papa could come to Charlotte with us and see the queen bee on her party day. Come Sunday morning, we wake up to rain and not just a little drizzle, I am talking a huge thunderstorm and torrential downpours. So, about this time, I am thinking, why did you plan an outside party and by the way, when is the last time it actually thunder stormed in the morning??? So, unfortunately, we had to change the party date which meant that DeeDee and Papa would miss it but luckily most of her other friends could still make it a couple days later.

Getting ready to head to the party.

I did the sunshine dance all day hoping we would avoid rain and about 3pm that day, the sky turned dark and I began to panic but someone was looking out for us because it stayed dry and the rain stayed away. It was actually a little cool and not very buggy which was great for August.

Ella was my sous chef helping me frost all the cupcakes and of course no princess can have cupcakes without princess cupcake wrappers and crowns for the top!

We love this little neighborhood park, it's right up the street, very shady with lots of trees and never too crowded. This particular night we had it to ourselves and the kids loved running around. They played on the monkey bars, went on the swings and of course the slides were a big hit.

 And sometimes climbing back up them can be as much fun as going down them.

Ella and Allie

Ladder climbing with Wesley

Soaking it all up

Ella, Allie and Anne

Even the littlest ones had a ball at the party. Maddie and Braelyn are just 3 months apart but they look about 6-9 months different but they had a blast swinging together. Tracey and I hope that these two growing up will be as close as their sisters are!

After all the playing on the playground, sometimes you need to take a break and so I had these butterfly and bear masks for the kids to color and then wear around. Some kids loved it and colored for awhile and others, like Ella, colored for about 3 minutes and then decided she was done! Her only requirement that I write her name on it so we would know it was hers. Don't worry Ella, I don't think anyone is going to steal the mask with two scribbles on it! But nonetheless she was very proud of her creation and wore the mask around for several days after the party!

As usual, Maddie was along for the ride and just happy to have anyone hold her. We played pass the babies around since there were so many of them.

This little one, Annie was the youngest at 3 months old.

 After mask coloring, it was back to swings for some more play before dinner and cupcakes.

The kids all ate pizza but had their eye on the cupcakes the entire time. Ella was so excited and had been asking all day long if she could have a cupcake. She just loved having all the attention on her while her friends sang to her.

 And now to blow out the big 3 candle!

The party was a smashing success and no one wanted to leave but finally it was time to say goodbyes and head home.

It wasn't the party we had envisioned and Mother Nature had a different plan but this little girl had a great day and I hope she always remember how special she is on this day and everyday. Happy 3rd birthday Ella James!