William turned three

When last here I mentioned a cliff hanger about the birthday party and the next day. So heres the end of that hanger...

On Friday night after the crawfish boil/burger grilling, it come a rain. That's country for it rained really really hard. Saturday morning the sun was shining and the world was fresh and clean. BUT. The rain had taken its toll on the Swander backyard and therefore the outdoor party was moved to the church gym. And with that, all the people in the land celebrated. Well...40 to 50 people celebrated in the land of the church gym. 

Lets see what happened. 

Boys were having fun in the ball pit.

Otis was having fun in the ball pit.

There was a gigantic jumper. 

The play gym was where children loved to be.

There were tiny firemen. 

Then James got wind of something. James to Lucas, "What's that? You saw Cheetos?!"

Cheetos, Cheetos, must have Cheetos! 

But it was time to cooperate for the precious family photo.

Break character long enough to tell the kid any of the following. "Get it together! Behave! Look at the camera! Do it now." 

Smile! Begrudging cheese from the older. In between pictures (heh heh heh) James found happiness in the form of a Cheeto.  

James, "Dudes...you're ruining my Cheeto moment."

Cheetos or not, we're taking more pictures. 

Donzos. 

William, "Nailed it." James, "I think I want William's hat." Lucas, "I feel I need to experience a Cheeto." 

Now that the moment has passed, William remains ready for the pic. James to Lucas, "Yes Lucas, Cheetos are awesome."

I'll go get you one! 

He's off on his mission.

Just found out we ALL get Cheetos! 

She flips for Cheetos.

And loses her head over them. 

If she doesn't get Cheetos, she becomes a monster.  

OK. I'm out. Used all my Cheeto jokes for the year. 

Lukie Lou in the ball pit.

Shoot! These are just balls! There are no Cheetos in here! (Really the last one.) 

Boys love balls. Pun intended. 

Captured in the bubble. 

One more.

There was some happiness in the ball pit. 

But the lack of mobility became a source of frustration. 

Some became disgruntled. 

Dad to the rescue. 

Sharing his mobility issues with William. 

Must get out of the balls.

But then he found two special balls. It amuses me.

Different but the same. 

I think he gave up ever escaping and just went with it.

Fearless in the upper deck.

The sequence of the old man in the chute. 

This picture is equal parts fascinating and wonderful.

William looks on as Austin tries to recover from his chute experience.

Cutie pie Walker came to the party. 

Fingers are delicious.

William's dunking over baby boy Lucas.

Wait! Something's different. 

Me and Lukie Lou.

One more trip to the tunnel. 

With Car Car. 

Cute pic of William as Car Car tries to escape the chute.

Gee with the Bubba boys.

James in the bubble. 

Almost time for cake!

One more family shot.

Turning three is almost over. 

Time to open a few presents.

That's a rootin tootin cowboy. Easy on the tootin...

Romeo teaching the art of roping. 

And finally....

Who needs cheetos when there are jelly beans in the world?

And that's the day in a nutshell. As third birthdays go, I'd say it was a success. 

Fun was had by all and there were happy little boys everywhere. 

As usual I started this post a long time ago, but other things took precedence since then. Due to sickness and disease, my girls and I took care of the Swander boys from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon. We had tons of fun and loved it. It also reminded me that some things never change, such as wanting sleeping children to stay sleeping....therefore peeing quietly in the night is still a big deal. Also watching a one year old empty a big TV cabinet in 5 minutes flat then looking at the rubble and moving on, funny things three year olds say. And nap snuggles. Those are the best... 

Twenty three years ago today the most important Olivia, more recently renamed Beba, came into my life and changed it forever. This day 23 years ago I became the mother of three girls. 

It was a great day and we've had tons of great days since then. 

Happy birthday to you Olivia Grace. 

God bless you and keep you all the many, many, many days of your life. 

Mothers hug those babies tight.

It goes so fast it will make you dizzy.