Knox's 3rd Birthday Party!

Knox doesn't officially turn 3 until May 29th, but we decided to do his party early so it wouldn't be over Memorial Day weekend. This is actually his first "real" party... With friends and all. The past 2 years we've gone back to TN and done major blow-outs with family. It was kind of sad none of our family could make it in town this year, but I gotta say I think we made the right choice... Knox LOVED his party with friends. He's been talking about it for a week...

I debated on what we'd do this year, and then just decided to keep it as easy as possible. Again - right choice! I love that I wasn't spending the days before freaking out over crafting decorations and favors, and fussing over food preparations. Also not having to worry about my house being perfect was just pure bliss. It was so stress-free...

**Lots of pics!

We had it in the "Kid Central" area at the church where Knox goes to school. This was wonderful because it was clean, the hostess helped set-up and clean afterwards, and since I was inviting the kids in his class I felt like it was a good familiar place for everyone. And oh yeah - It was only $75!

Favor bags! Included animal crackers, Toy Story fruit snacks, TS stickers, a parachute army man, silly straw, and a bouncy ball.

Drink station and Knox's pinata. I let him come to Target/Wal-Mart with me and pick between Thomas, Cars, and Buzz Lightyear. He wanted all 3 but we finally were able to narrow it down to Buzz ;)

Cake table.

Kroger did the cake for me and I thought it turned out great!

Waiting not-so-patiently for his friends to arrive.

Some of the earlier guests pre-party snaking...

Knox has the most adorable little girls in his class. Sarah on his right, and prissy Miss Ysa on his left. ...How bout that grin he's got??? ;)

Play time! I love this playscape.

Mommy talk. (And H getting some TLC from Colbie's mom/our MDO curriculum coordinator.)

Some of the kids sitting down to eat... The party was 10-noon so I felt like it'd be tacky not to do lunch. We ended up doing the cleanest/easiest of Knox's favorite foods... A large tray of CFA nuggets (God bless that place) and then goldfish, pretzels, grapes, and Capri Suns. This was a hit! The kids ate a ton of snacks and about half of the nuggets... The parents cleaned off the other half ;)

Oh it wouldn't be a party without a minor melt-down...

Birthday cake time! I think he was singing the loudest to himself. He LOVES birthdays... I can't believe this guy is 3 :(

Mommy action shot... (Thanks to Brit for snapping some pics!)

(Smudge on my lens from here on out. Boo.) H found a friend with Cade's little sister who is exactly 2 months younger than she is.

Pinata time! I've never done one of these, so I'd stuffed it to the brim with "the good candy, not the cheap Mexican stuff" (according to Ace) and the strap broke as soon as we lifted it. Luckily we had some pinata pros there to help us rig it.

12 pre-schoolers + a wooden bat = Nervewracking... They all had a turn (Knox had 2) - and then we just decided to pull the strings...

"Get the chocolate!!!" -All the Moms

We had a great turn-out! Shame on me for not getting a pic of all the kids together :( Off the top of my head - Max, Carter, Samuel, Jack, Joaquin, Jacueline, Cade, Carston, Sarah, Colbie, Ysa, and Andie (am I missing anyone???)... Basically some of our playdate/church friends and all but about 3 classmates. All so very sweet, and the parents... We had a lot of thoughtful "helpers" (with Hadley, the pinata, food serving, clean-up, etc.) which was very much appreciated since the grands couldn't make it.

Afterwards we headed home for much needed naps. We picked up Mexican take-out for dinner and then let Knox open his gifts!

What a lucky boy!

#LovingTheseCollages

Part of the reason we don't open toys at parties is because he'll open one and want to play with it for 10 min before moving on to the next. Which I actually think is so sweet and genuine ;)

Oh sweet sweet Hadley... She's looking so much older lately! Her bubble is huge, I know. I was expecting more of a Knox-sized baby. She can literally crawl up in it. Up-side - maybe she'll be able to wear it again next year!

Party gifts - an outdoor plane toy, slip-n-slide, water guns, Cars legos set, dumptruck, water toys, playdough set, bath toys, train magnetic board, outfit, a zoo pass, and a Thomas... Not shown because all he wanted to do was play with it. He's on SUCH the Thomas kick lately.

Ah - what a great day for my sweet boy!!! There are no words to describe the love I have for this kid... We have 2 more birthday celebrations ahead - one in FL with James' family and obviously one on his real birthday - and a few suprises in store. :)