Ella's Birthday Party

We attended Kaitlynn's friend, Ella's 3rd birthday party. The party was in her backyard. It had a Wiggles theme and was a backyard pool party. It was a lot of fun, but super sweaty hot out. It was so hot, at times we were hoping it rained just to cool us off. The kids were all fine because they had the water to play in. The party had face painting, music, games, sprinkler pool, wagon, slide, play house and an appearance by The Wiggles (actually teenage boys dressed as The Wiggles).

Kaitlynn fell asleep in the car. She slept until it was time to get ready for church. We attended service and Kaitlynn attended her class. When I came in to pick her up, she was sitting on the floor with one of the teenagers that helps out and 2 other boys. The teenager was reading them a story. Kaitlynn found her picture that she made and was ready for some hot chocolate.
This week's lesson: Jesus was a friend to the blind men. The kids brought home this really cool Lil' K Map Book that discussed the Bible story and being a friend. I hope they get these for all their lessons. Bible verse for the week: "A friend loves at all times." Proverbs 17:17

Annabelle's 4th Birthday

June 6th Kaitlynn, Dave and I attended Annabelle's 4th birthday party. The party was held at a park in South County. The theme was the Wonder Pets. We ate lunch almost immediately after everyone arrived. Then it was time for the cake (which my cousin made), presents, and the pinata. After getting the birthday party business out of the way, the kids were free to go to the playground. Kaitlynn had a fun time playing with Annabelle and her friends. Dave and I had a fun time watching them, chatting and holding baby Alayna (Annabelle's little sister). We hung around after everyone left to chat with Mike and Cynthia while Kaitlynn and Annabelle played. We also helped them clean up and load things in their cars.
Later, Kaitlynn played with the neighbor girls. Dave and I talked to Kris and her husband while the girls played. We are thinking of getting a membership to the subdivision pool this year. That way Kaitlynn could play with the girls, Dave and I could hang out with the neighbors.

Swing Around Fun Town

Saturday the 22nd we went to a birthday party at Swing Around Fun Town. Kaitlynn had a blast! We were there for almost 6 hours! She first explored the games inside and then we went outside. She rode the kiddie go carts, then rode the go carts with daddy. Their ride was cut short because she wasn't too fond of how fast they were going. Kaitlynn and daddy rode the bumper boats. Kaitlynn didn't like that ride either. She kept trying to get up. Later we realized she didn't like it because she couldn't reach the squirter over Dave's legs. We played miniature golf and then did the bumper boats again. This time Kaitlynn rode with me and daddy rode in a separate bumper boat. Kaitlynn had a blast! She loved going after daddy to squirt him and squirting the other boys! We rode the boats like 5 times in a row. We were absolutely drenched. Kaitlynn and daddy played another round of miniature golf and went to the batting cages.

We went to visit MawMaw at the hospital (in our drenched clothes). MawMaw was doing well.

Pajama Party

Saturday, March 27th we attended a friend's 3rd Birthday Party. The theme was a Neverland (Peter Pan / Pirates) Pajama Party. This was Kaitlynn's first pajama party! Kaitlynn wore her Tinker Bell night gown along with her Princess slippers.


We went to visit MawMaw at the hospital. Her breathing / oxygen level was better. The lung specialist consulted with us. He said they may have to do a scope procedure.

Playdate and Birthday Party

Friday, we attended a playdate at Eileen, Gabe and Merci's house. Emily, Ella and Beatrice were also there. It's always interesting getting the kids together because you never know how they are going to interact with one another. Gabe and Merci gave Kaitlynn her birthday gift, since they were unable to attend her birthday party. The kids wanted to open it up and play with it, but since the playset had small pieces, I decided it would be best to wait until we got home to get all the pieces out.

Saturday morning we attended Kylie's 3rd birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese (and got to meet her new baby sister, Ava). After all the kids arrived, Trisha gave the kids their tokens to play games. Kaitlynn had so much fun playing the games and riding a few rides.
Pictures of Kaitlynn from the games / rides.

The kids were called back to the table to eat lunch, Chuck E. Cheese came out and we sang "Happy Birthday" to the birthday girl. Kylie opened her gifts and the kids went back to playing games. Kaitlynn had a good time at the party.

Kaitlynn made this bracelet for Kylie. She likes making bracelets for her friends.

Dave and I still needed to eat lunch, so we went to McDonald's. Kaitlynn played in the playland while we ate lunch. It was perfect. She had a great time playing with the other kids. There were A LOT of kids there, too.

We went home and got cleaned up and attended church service. Kaitlynn went to her class and learned about being kind.

Sleeping Beauty and Princess

Sunday the 21st after Kaitlynn's birthday party, MawMaw, Dave, Kaitlynn and I went out for dinner to extend celebrating Kaitlynn's birthday. Nothing fancy, just breakfast. Kaitlynn actually slept through most of dinner.
We are slowly changing Kaitlynn's nursery into a big girl room. She picked out the bedding and hopefully sometime soon we will work on changing the decorations.
I love this picture of our sleeping beauty!
Monday the 22nd, Kaitlynn wore a Princess crown and necklace. She attended preschool with MawMaw. She proceeded to tell the boys at preschool that she was a Princess and luckily they were OK with that!
Kaitlynn loves taking pictures in the car.

3rd Birthday Party

Sunday the 21st was Kaitlynn's 3rd birthday party. We had it at a local McDonald's. It was great having the party somewhere besides our house - so much less prep. The party wasn't as structured as it was supposed to be, but the kids all had fun. The hardest part for Kaitlynn was having to keep coming out of the play land to go into the party room for different things. She wanted to just stay in the play land and play with her friends and cousins - can you blame her? She wanted no part of the party room - eating lunch, playing games or blowing out the candles.

We had about 30-35 people attend the party. The kids played in the play land while waiting for lunch. We rounded the kids up and brought them to the party room to eat. Then the kids went back out to the play land. The kids were rounded up again and brought to the party room for games. The kids played Pin the Tale on the Donkey, then ran back out to the play land after finishing the game. We had to round the kids back up and bring them to the party room for cake. We sang "Happy Birthday" to Kaitlynn and she refused to blow out her candles (because she wanted to go back out to the play land) - so mommy blew out the candles. Of course all / most of the kids ran back to the play land. Kaitlynn did wait to eat some ice cream before going to the play land.

Her party would not have been a party without a crasher. Yes, there was a party crasher at a 3 year old's birthday! This little boy kept coming up to us and saying that his mommy said he could join the party. And well, we told him that this mommy said he couldn't!

We were at McDonald's for about 6 hours that day! Dave, Kaitlynn and I arrived about 45 minutes before the party so that Dave and I could eat lunch and see what the party room looked like (decorations, etc). The party was supposed to last 1 hour and 15 minutes, but the girl said we could have access to the party room for 3 hours (since there were no parties after us). And we used it! After most of the kids left, Kaitlynn opened gifts. Kaitlynn and her cousin Annabelle had so much fun playing in the play land until the adults couldn't take being at McDonald's for another second!

Birthday Invitation

Here's Kaitlynn's birthday party invitations. She is having her party at McDonald's. She chose Ice Age 3 as the theme. It's going to be a small party. McDonald's offers an hour and 15 minute party with games, etc for the kids in their party room at an extremely reasonable price.

Party Planning

This year planning Kaitlynn's birthday party is so much easier than the first 2 years. Date, time and location were taken care of over a week ago. Theme was picked out (by Kaitlynn) on Saturday night. Invitations were ordered last night. Guest list has been set for awhile. We are prepared! Now we just need to find a bakery that can make a cake to go along with her theme and buy a few decorations.

August Begins

Make a Smilebox slideshow

On August 2nd, Kaitlynn, MawMaw and I went to Grant's Farm. August 4th, Kaitlynn, Olivia, MawMaw and I went to the Zoo for a short visit. On the 6th, Dave, Kaitlynn, MawMaw, Olivia and I went to Citygarden for the first time. After Olivia went home, we went to Lone Elk Park and then celebrated Brandon's birthday at Happy Joe's. The 7th, Dave, Kaitlynn and I went to the Zoo. The 15th, Kaitlynn, Dave and I attended Addison's birthday party. The 16th Dave, Kaitlynn, MawMaw, MawMaw Tommie and I went to Eckert's for peach and blackberry picking.

Pool Party

Saturday June 13th we went to Kaitlynn's friend, Ella's birthday party. It was a pool party, so all the kids were in their swimsuits.
Juice box smile!

Cutting the cake

Kaitlynn and Kylie

Opening gifts

Ella, Kaitlynn and Gabe

Daddy pulling Kaitlynn and Bailey in the wagon

We were planning on going to church that evening, but Kaitlynn napped for 4 hours!

Double Ear Infection

Saturday the 18th, we took Kaitlynn to the pediatrician because she woke up in the middle of the night complaining about her ear hurting. She had a double ear infection! It's weird because last year (in March she got her first ear infection) and now this year she has one. I hope she doesn't start getting them every year (to start the spring off). I guess having 2 ear infections at the age of 26 months isn't bad, though!

We missed the ECC On the Go activity due to going to the pediatrician. Kaitlynn said she felt well enough and acted fine, so we went to Bailey's birthday party. It was at Gymboree. Kaitlynn got Bailey a chest with dress up clothing.
Maraca time!

Kaitlynn and Bailey dancing.

Kaitlynn and Mackenzie popping bubbles.

Kaitlynn and Gabe catching bubbles.

Yes, Kaitlynn is sitting on the parachute! I am so glad that she likes it now. In her class last year, she hated the parachute.

Gabe's 2nd Birthday Party

Saturday, we attended Gabe's 2nd birthday party. It was held at his house. There were a lot of toddlers / kids at the party.
Eileen had a table set up for coloring airplane and hot air balloon pictures.

They had a tunnel for the kids to crawl through that led to a tepee for them to play in.

Kaitlynn and Bailey with their juice boxes.

Not so sure about this birthday hat

Singing "Happy Birthday"

Eileen made Gabe's birthday cake. She did an awesome job and the cake tasted great too!

The birthday boy was picking the jellies off the wings of the cake.

She loved this pony.

First they were fighting over the baby doll. I made Kaitlynn give it back to Gabe. He gave it right back to her.

Wrestling buddies

I hope these 3 stay friends forever!

Gabe wouldn't let Kaitlynn go.

So they started a Conga line!

After the party, we went to Walmart to pick up a few groceries and then to McDonald's. Kaitlynn was so wound up, we were hoping she would expel some energy in the play area.