Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Pinterest-less Third Birthday

I must begin by saying this lack of Pinterest fun for The Sheriff's third birthday isn't something I'm happy and bragging about. I love the idea of themes complete with appropriately named snacks, hanging decorations galore, pictures all over, and a space perfectly designed it would seem to house toddlers ready to party. This year it just wasn't going to happen.

In fact, I'm not totally sure how much of that I will do in our future either...at least with having two boys.  I will most likely get inspired for John's first birthday, but after that, who knows. I think our two little guys will care more about experiences and perhaps extra presents than money spent on streamers, water bottle labels, or custom made invitations. 

That being said, we celebrated our three-year-old ALL weekend as his birthday fell on a Sunday and J was leaving Sunday evening for a work trip.  We planned a splash pad party with our play group for Friday morning.

My little sous chef helped with the cupcakes. If anything screams "Non-Pinteresting," it's cupcakes with haphazard sprinkles in colors chosen by the boy sprinkler himself. He called these "Daddy Sprinkles" throughout the whole process. And don't worry; not all matched. He requested yellow icing and all red sprinkles to accompany these. I'm sure it made perfect sense in his head.


My end of June birthday boy may forever have red, white, and blue parties.

We arrived at the splash pad early to claim a table and wait for our friends. 


It wasn't long before the waterworks began, and we aren't talking tears here.


When there is a sign warning about pooping problems near the "water feature," you try your best to keep your child from drinking the water. That's unless you are Daddy, of course, who grabs the camera for a classic picture. At least we will have photographic evidence if a stomach bug crops up.


The splash pad's neighbor is indeed a park, and we can't say goodbye to a park without some swinging.


We gathered the troops for a true birthday treat---cupcakes before noon! I wish we had captured our Sheriff's face while the group sang happy birthday, but it will be forever in my heart.  He looked at me with a face both shy and excited: could all of this singing be for me?



We left John with a sitter for some special birthday time with our big boy for the morning, and I'd say his low-key, non-decorated, non-themed, kind of a mess party at the park, was a success!








9 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Sounds like the birthday boy had a blast!
We're going low key with Addie's party this year & I've surprised myself that I haven't even sent out invites yet. :)

Andie said...

I am doing a much smaller party this year for Andrew's 2nd, and while I am doing a theme again this year, etc. I know that soon he will be requesting spider man or something for his party and I will just buy a cake from sam's and some stuff from party city and call it a day. So for now, I'm relishing the fact that I can plan a "theme" but I know doing something like this isn't too far from my future.

And you are right- he doesn't care about the water bottles, etc. at all. He just wants to have fun and that's the most important part!

Andie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sarah @ Vol Family Life said...

The party looked perfect! I'm glad he had a blast! As you know I am miss non crafty so pretty much that's how Evie's parties will go until she's old enough to request Dora or something.

Please not Dora.

Natalie said...

I am thinking next year I am going small with both...I mean I don't go that big...but I think since Nolan will be 4 maybe we'll do something with a couple of friends. I remember doing that when I was a kid and loved it. Looks like W had a great time!

the workaholic momma said...

It looks like the perfect party!!! What a cool splash pad and a fun idea to have the party there!!!Happy Birthday to W:)

Nicole said...

Looks like a perfect day! Love seeing W's smiling face! And you guys too!

ann said...

I'm all for a low-key birthday and it looks like it was a blast. Good job, Mama!

Unknown said...

looks like THE best kind of birthday party. happy 3rd birthday W! i'm a little late to the party- but hey! better late than never!

ps i miss those low-key birthdays. we celebrated aiden's at home every year until last year. and this year. the first 4 years was easy and laid back. now i stress out with RSVPs. bleh.