Mac's 3rd Birthday

Well, the timing of Mac's birthday was perfect.

Mark is just busy enough that we have money to spare.

So naturally, we've been itching to spend some on the kids.

We went a little crazy with his birthday.

The day of was a Thursday.  He woke up to streamers, one present, and "Happy Birthday letters".  Everything was a surprise.  Example: 

Me:  "Here Mac, you wanted some pretzels?"
Mac:  "Wow, surprise pretzels for me!
 

We played plants vs. zombies, listened to truck songs, dug outside, and ate whatever we wanted.  I didn't do a lick of cleaning or anything related.

We built forts and declared war; his new nerf gun vs. a rubber-band shooter.  It was quite entertaining.

All this Thursday fun resulted in a Friday mad-dash to prep for the party.  I was in way over my head and had movies on all day to attempt to keep the kids occupied while I masterpieced it up.

It didn't turn out perfect.

But it was sure fun.

The theme was "Reptile Cove", which was the result of my attempt to tie in lizards and pirates.  See, Mark has a patient who does reptile birthday parties.  She offered a trade, and we jumped on it.  Later I remembered that Mac has no feelings for reptiles one way or another.  Oops.  I tried to really talk up a snake cake, but of course that resulted in him not wanting it even more.  Just a "Jake and the Neverland Pirates cake, Mom." 

So we compromised.

Got the idea here, added a few personal touches.  Just a couple of bundt cakes all cut up, with an ikea cup for the nose and a fruit-by-the-foot for the tongue.  Kinda in love with it.

By 2 a.m., all our preparations were complete.  I finished up the favors, decorations, and party favors, and Mark had tied a jillion water balloons.  It was then that I learned it would be 106 degrees for the party ... and of course we were having it at a park.

Eh.

Mark worked that morning of course, but Janae-bless-her-heart thought of me and helped me get set up.

Mac was so excited.  He hollered at every person that came.  "Wook, see?  My party is here!"

Here's the birthday crew; minus my darling little Utah cousins who came a little after we took this picture ... they timed their Disneyland trip just right.

After a lunch of hotdogs and watermelon (Mac's favs), Mark took those who wanted to play baseball.  Mac loved it.  Until he got tagged out.

We then broke out the water balloons.  Took Mark almost an entire movie to blow them up ... they were gone in three minutes.

I attempted to get the kids to play one of Mac's favorite FHE games, "Mary, Mary, Where Are You?" (A game Dad brought back from his Fijian mission.)  Didn't go as planned, but still entertaining.

Mac just chilled on the sidelines for this one.

He perked back up once the pinata was brought out, however.

And just like last year, it was up to Luke to actually break the pinata.  (Of course, starting out with a nerf bat was a terrible idea.)

Then came the real entertainment.  Brianna and her adorable family showed up with their army of snakes, reptiles, and spiders.

She has a birthday chair, where the birthday boy gets to sit and hold everything first.

Mac prefered sitting in the back, on Mark's lap.

Mac barely touched anything, but he didn't cringe or run at all.  Indifferent?  I guess.  Either way, it was awesome and I would highly suggest you hire Brianna yourself and bring her to your party.  (But three years old may be a bit young to fully enjoy it.)

It was then on to the snake cake, which, as it turns out, Mac and his friends had been poking their fingers in already.  Sneaky.

And finally, presents. 

Three hours of 100 + degrees of humid heat and pressure to take the spotlight was really starting to wear on Mac; his reactions at all the kids' little gifts were less than energetic.

But sweatiness and shyness aside, it was a spectacular day.

Love you, Bub.  So glad you're our best and biggest boy.