Baseballs and a Birthday

I can't believe we have a three year old running around this house these days.  He is so. very. big.

The weekend before last we celebrated this guy with a baseball birthday party.  We had so much fun!  Several of Newbie's friends came over to play with their mamas and daddies, and some sweet family came to celebrate with us as well.

We got SNOWED OUT this year (what?! in April?!? yuck.), so we hosted most of the festivities in our not-yet-finished basement.   Not the same as running around in the backyard, but we did throw peanut shells on the floor, so there was a hint of authenticity to the experience. =)

We served hotdogs and had Lunchables for the kiddos, with Capri Suns and lemonade.  We kept it simple because who wants to sit around eating when you could be swinging a baseball bat?!  Coach Daddy-O led the kids in some batting and throwing practice, and we had them run the bases on the field my man painted on our not-yet-carpeted basement floor. Newbie had a blast, and it was fun to watch all these kids we've known since they were bitsy follow directions and stand in line to wait their turn for each game...they've all gotten so big!

(Party animals waiting for family and friends to arrive)

(Birthday boy checking out all the fun baseball stuff that popped up in the house overnight)

(Cracker Jack party favors, of course)

(Swiper!)

(We asked guests to sign Newbie's birthday game ball and will keep it as a treasure in his new baseball bedroom)

(Gigi did it again this year with an amazing birthday cake complete with cupcakes...YUM!)

(Baseball bats and balls as party favors for the rookies)

(Let the batting practice begin!)

(See?  All lined up and waiting patiently...this did not happen two years ago, folks)

(Free for all!)

(Three is for pinatas!...or "pin-ah-dah" in Newbie language.)

(Some of these littles knew what was up when it came to their pinata haul...Newbie was new at the whole thing and walked away with a bag only half full-a kazoo and a couple packs of fruit snacks. Hehe)

(We snagged a team picture before we dug into the birthday cake...it took us a bit, but we got one!)

(A little in awe that everyone was singing The Birthday Song to him! ...and hi there, Miss Mowgli)

(Chow. down.)

Post party this happened:

A Jeep just like Grandad's.  This kid has been "driving" his grandad's Jeep in the garage since he was 9 months old.  Now he's got his very own, and I have a feeling playing in the backyard will never be the same. It was a happy happy happy birthday!

*****

We celebrated with family and friends on Saturday, and then had some special time with just us and our boy on Sunday.  It was birthday pancakes before church and then a trip to the Children's Museum in the afternoon.  Newbie had such a ball at the museum; he ran from activity to activity, not stopping for more than a minute at each before moving to the next.  Homeboy kept us busy, and it was such fun to watch him enjoy his special day!

(You better believe it, dude.  Those are candles in your pancakes.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!)

(He had mastered the art of blowing out candles by birthday celebration Day Two)

Three has brought with it so much joy so far.  Three is faster and sweeter and wilder, and we're loving it!  Big brother is such a light in our lives, and we are so excited to see him interact with his little sister.  He is already so sweet with her when he talks to my belly, and he's constantly talking about what he wants to share with her and teach her.  He sings to her and laughs with her without telling us the joke- its such a blessing to see the bond these two already have! I have no doubt he's going to adjust really well to having a new friend in the house.  After all, we've been waiting a long time for a little sister to play with! =)

Thanks for stopping by and have a happy Monday, friends!