Evie turns Three!

In honor of turning three, Evie had three days of celebrations.  Even though there were three "parties", I kept with my birthday party motto of "keep the expectation LOW while they are young".  None of the parties were at my house, which meant ZERO cleaning was done.  My stress level was way lower this year.  I think I may be onto something good.

Day ONE:  Gifts & Cupcakes at MeMa's house (Sat, May 10)

She does not enjoy the attention of her birthday-
candles, singing, and watching her open gifts
make her cling to us, hide her face, & suck her thumb

But when it's time to eat sweets, all shyness is gone!

Oh good, a new crockpot!  :)
Evie really liked her striped flip-flops, elephant
watering can, and water/sand toys

Braylen really liked the scooter

But the best gift was the bubble wrap... 

Day TWO: Playground Party with Evie's forced friends (Thurs, May 22)

This party made me happy.  The kids were entertained by the playground equipment (also bugs, rocks, sand, and mulch), I kept the food to goldfish, berries, and Oreo "dirt", and I had some of my favorite and most helpful mom friends there.  Having a party with all moms there is awesome; they knew exactly what I needed without me saying one word.

So glad to have these ladies, boys, and girls as friends!

But since it's about Evie and not me... (but it kind of is... happy mom makes a happy family) EVIE had a great time playing with all her boyfriends.  Seriously, all but one of the kids there her age were boys except Naomi (AKA "Omi").

Wild, curly hair friends :)

Alison had the great idea of lining the kids up on the slide.  I let the moms figure out how to make that happen while I snapped away.

Quick, get everyone together!

Braylen's little girlfriend, Fiona, starts to melt down

LOL at Braylen.  We lost Fiona and Jack likes the mulch.
Michelle's kids look great though!

We lost Chase up the slide... Braylen is still in a choke hold

Hold places.... Get Chase back... Wait Fiona!

Good enough.  Evie looks adorable, so we're done :)

Could it be?!  My children playing nicely together!?

Then Braylen shoves all the mulch in his mouth... 

This picture just cracks me up.  Liz's kids are chowing down
on "dirt", Naomi is eating a healthy carrot, and my two
are sucking thumbs.  I swear my kids had fun!

Day THREE: Breakfast with the Smith's & Playground Family Party (Her birthday! Sat, May 24)

Evie's actual birthday was spend doing all things Evie likes-

First up, Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast with her BFF, Emily (and her family)

Evie showing us she is 3

Snarfing down some yummy powered donuts!
(Yes... I did host something at my house, but it was the Smith's
who are invited over whether my house is clean or not ;)  )

Emily gave Evie the sweetest birthday gift- pictures of the two of them

She got lots of great gifts from her family
in NC and PA.  The balloon was right up there
with all the favorite gifts

Balloons for all party-goers!

Later that afternoon after naps, we went to the playground right around the corner for another party with G, Poppop, Auntie Laura, Cole, and Hannah.  Cole and Hannah's other grandparents were in town from FL, so they joined us too along with the beloved Auntie Kira and Uncle Alex.

Keeping with tradition, Jason made the
cake at the 11th hour the night before
her birthday.  The fur didn't have the "texture"
he hoped for, but it's a pretty cute polar
bear nevertheless.

A trike and helmet were her "big gifts".  Braylen is at the perfect
age to be our helper pushing Evie.  Both kids were happy

Our birthday girl!

The crew

And the obligatory cousin picture...

Wow, I'm exhausted just rehashing all the fun from Evie's marathon of birthday parties.  What a great start to THREE!