3rd Birthday Madness!

It's hard to believe the "Little Cowboy" has turned three years old! I remember when he preferred his bottle of milk to Ninja Turtles.  Why, last year he didn't even know what a Ninja Turtle was. Come to think of it, neither did I.  But, all good grandmothers, sooner or later, learn about "BOY STUFF"!  Ninja Turtles, Paw Patrol, Thomas and Friends, Super Heroes, etc. etc.  Anyway, a big Birthday Splash was planned with Leonardo, the Blue Ninja Turtle, the star of the show!  However, the weather was not cooperating the week leading up to the party.  It rained EVERY day.  Not just a little bit but true gully washers!  I feared we would never get the lawn mowed and would have to change the birthday theme to Tarzan of the Jungle!  Thankfully, that did not happen and the lawn was mowed - barely - as there was a break in the clouds for one half of one half of one half of a day.  Whoopie!!   Sadly, once the main yard was mowed, the skies again opened up so the weed eater just sat and gathered dust.  Needless to say, for two days leading up to the Birthday Splash, all I could do was pray, "Please Lord, don't let it rain on Saturday!"  Whatever would I do with six, two and three-year-old boys running around in the house?  Because as you all know, if one runs, they all run; if one screams, they all scream; if one has to go to the bathroom, they ALL have to go to the bathroom; if one falls down, they all fall down!  It's just a fact of life....

THE DAY BEFORE......

 The yard looked bland and colorless so Big A and I set out to the garden center to purchase a bit of excitement in the form of blooming plants!  (Fifteen-year-old boys who have their driver's permit and a "new" truck to drive, make wonderful chauffeurs.  And their price is pretty reasonable too.)

 Three wagons full should just about do it.  At least on the first go-around.

 I could not have lifted all these potted plants by myself.  Thanks Big A!!

THE BIG DAY ARRIVED - I WAS AFRAID TO PEEK OUT THE WINDOW.  WOULD THE WORLD BE CLOUDY AND GRAY OR BREEZY AND CLEAR??  

I opened my eyes and......

SUNSHINE!!  BLUE SKIES!!  WARM TEMPS! A WONDERFUL BREEZY DAY!!

(A prayer of "thanks" was definitely offered up.)

 The fun began with a bit of "fishing"....

 Then it was time for squirt guns and sliding....

 These little guys were having a wonderful time.  Anyone who ventured to close was bombarded with water from the water pistols.....which were filled, and refilled, and refilled, and refilled........

 Two squirt guns in hand are better than one in the water.....

 Lots of new faces in this bunch.....HUNGRY faces! 

 Big kids, little kids, even newborn babies!!.......

 Hot dogs, chips, and juice for the "small fry".....and "BIG fry"....

Presents patiently waiting to be opened.....

 This  "Little Ninja Turtle" had lots of help when it came to tearing paper.......

 So many really neat toys....(Looks like "Big A" couldn't wait to try out a few.)

An endless sea of bags and boxes........ 

 Well, almost endless....."Yep, that's the end of the line boys!"

 Time for the "big kids" to clean up while the "small fry" take a ride around the farm.  I think we may have set a Guinness Record for most kids on a Mule!!

"Leonardo" prepares to defend his territory....

"How many times do I have to say "cheese"?

"Yes, a Ninja sword cuts much better than a knife - ask any Ninja Turtle."

Blowing out the Ninja candles....

Enjoying ice cream and cake.  Yummy!.....

Another dip in the pools to wash off all the sticky....then....

...The Great Ninja Turtle Bubble Hunt....

Finding Ninja Bubbles is similar to finding Easter Eggs.  There are always a few that are never found or show up weeks or months later....just sitting there.....and you wonder how in the world were they not seen????.....

The balloons began to droop as the last guest left the party.  The party hosts were drooping also!   JR and I just sat outside for an hour or more and listened to the silence......wonderful, peaceful silence.  Hmmmm.....now what theme will the "Little Cowboy"  pick for next year?

Feeling Contented,

Dee Dee