Bouncing Baby Boy

I'm not much into giving big gifts to the children for thier birthdays.  Instead we try to give them the best gift I know of... time.  In this fast paced, possession driven society, to me the best memories are those of time spent together.  In addition, with the two boys, and in particular with them so close in age, rarely do they get individualized attention.  So, instead of material gifts for their birthdays, their gift from us two things-- 1) a celebration party with family and friends and 2) a day spent out with just Joe and I.   I will admit... these gifts are presents for Joe and I just as much as they are for the children.  We like to have fun with the planning of their parties and a special day out with one of our kiddos... words cannot describe. 

Adam was just as excited (if not more) about his day out with Mommy and Daddy than he was about his party.  There was lots in store for his special day--

We started by visiting an indoor bounce place.  It may be difficult to guess who had more fun?

With some sore body parts (or at least for Joe and I), we headed to lunch.  Adam of course wanted cheeseburgers- that and cheese pizza are just about the only two things he likes to eat.  So we headed to a great little place for lunch.

Playing on the little stage...

The waiters brought Adam a birthday dessert (Blue Bell ice cream- this resturant is one of the few places that has it up here) and they sang Happy Birthday.  When they came out singing Adam sat up real tall to find out what was going on.  When he discovered they were singing to him, he shrunk back in his seat and hid behind me- he can be so shy at times-- so adorable.  I'll have to try to get the video up soon.

He did like blowing out his candle and, as he said, making a wish.

We ended the day by taking Adam to his first ever movie theater experience.  Adam has been asking to see the Chipmunks movie since the commercials have been on tv.  We told him maybe for his birthday, but I really did not think it would still be in the theaters or out on DVD yet.  Luckily for us... it just so happened to be playing at the $1 showing on his birthday!! 

When we walked in and he saw the big screen he was amazed and sat through the whole movie, not making a single peep.  But when it was over and we told him it was time to go he began to scream and cry:  "I want Chipmunks, I want Chipmunks."  We patiently tried to explain that at a theater you can't just rewind a movie like you can at home (how spoiled are our children that we have to explain this), yet he continued to scream and we couldn't figure out why.  I took a quick picture and we headed to the car.

We had to practically drag him but we finally got him to the car where he continued to ask if we could go back and see the Chipmunks.  We kept trying to explain that it was over... eventually he gave up but then he asked if we could go back to the bounce place.  We told him, no, that that was over as well.  And then he said... "My birthday is over?".  We told him it was still his birthday until he went to sleep which seemed to calm him down. 

Later that night as I laid in bed with him I leaned over and whispered, Happy Birthday sweet boy.  Although I thought he was almost asleep he perked up a bit, looked at me, and asked: "It's still my birthday?"  I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Bouncing Baby Boy... I love you so much and am so thankful for you! Happy 3rd Birthday!

Cars and Spies

When we asked what Adam wanted to do for his birthday party he said "Spy Kids".   I tried to convince him that a carnival party would be fun... considering I had some great games for that theme already from my sister.  But he wasn't buying it and stuck with his "I want a Spy Kids birthday party." 

He also had another desire-- cars cupcakes for his class.  I think we did a pretty good job with meeting his desires!  What a spoiled little boy!

Many thanks go to Aunt Taylor who stayed up and helped do Adam's invitations when she should have been resting and enjoying her vacation!

And also thanks to Aunt Taylor for the uber cool "Top Secret" stamp she got for Adam.  We used it everywhere!

And we also found a use for all the carnival games... they became part of Adam's Spy Kids- Spy Training obstacle course.

My super cool spy...

The zipline was well enjoyed.  But I'm pretty sure Joe is still a little upset that we didn't get one that he can go on too.

It ended up being a beautiful day although a little chilly... and windy... which didn't help with all the balloons Joe worked so hard to blow up, but just kept popping.

The "tunnel" was another favorite!

Meanwhile... Zachary slept for almost the entire party... laying on the floor in the room next to all the chaos.

Eventually he woke and I think he was a little confused for awhile.

Every spy kids needs some walkie talkies!

Once the kids finished the spy training obstacle course they got a treat bag and the disguise glasses from the treat bags were fun, but surprisingly the biggest hit of the evening were the cheap watches from the treat bags. Yes, the kids thought the watches were neat... but it was actually the adults who kept asking me if they can have a treat bag too... because they wanted a watch!  (Of course I told them they needed to complete the obstacle course first! HA!)

I tried to get a picture of the boys at the end of the evening.  But I should have known better.  After such a long day they were not in the mood. 

First Adam pouted...

Then it was Zachary's turn to pout...

After 15 or so tries... I settled on this shot.

My little SPY KIDS!

As I was trying to get him ready for bed, Adam teared up when I tried to take his badge and "spy clothes" off.  He insisted on sleeping in the full get up.  He was so excited... and nothing else could have made me happier!