Bergen Turns 3!

Friday, May 11th was Bergen's birthday. I had planned for an outdoor water party. See the invitation below I spent way too much time working on!

I also spent way too much time thinking over the details of the party. I did had a lot of fun shopping for supplies though (maybe a little too fun) and Bergen was just so excited to get things for his party, that it made it even more fun for me. Trying to keep it fun and exciting yet simple was a little tricky. I didn't want to become overwhelmed or stressed out over it. In the end I did a good job keeping it from crossing that line, but it was a good thing I had some grandparent helpers here to help me finish the last minute preparations.

We had buckets for the kids to carry their sponges balls, squirt guns, and bubbles in, and take home at the end. They also got to take home a crazy straw. In an attempt to not overwhelm myself I didn't make a fancy cake this year. In fact all we had was brownies in cupcake shape with whipped topping. The whipped topping was home made though so that should count for something :)

ready for the party

my pretty display...that no ones cares about but me, but I do it anyway :)

buckets to hold the goods 

 brownie treats

sponge balls made by us 

 colorful water balloons

the rest of the stuff

On Bergen's birthday we woke up to some clouds :( I was just hoping the rain would hold off until noon when the party was over. I got everything set up outside and started to take pictures of it just as it started to sprinkle. The first half of the party the kids played in the sprinkling rain. But with squirt guns, sponge balls, bubbles, and water balloons it worked out alright. They mostly had fun running around and jumping on the trampoline.

picking out their buckets

 water filling station

ready to go!

 squirt time

 "don't get me!"

having fun

 water balloon toss

 water balloons lasted about 2 seconds before the kids threw them all :)

his goggles crack me up!

We had to move inside for presents and food because it eventually started to pour. Bergen did a great job opening each present, showing interest in it, and saying thank yous. Bergen sang himself a very nice "happy birthday to you" (cracked me up!) and only requested to blow the candles out twice. The kids really liked the brownie cupcakes and fruit in waffle cone bowls. Overall the kids were much quieter and calmer than I expected. It wasn't the bright sunny party I was planning and hoping for, but Bergen had fun. I have to remind myself that was what mattered most :) 

 finally! he gets to open his presents :)

 I picked these up for him last minute. Needless to say they've been a big hit, both at the pool and in the bathtub!

Bergen's "wooooow"

singing to himself 

 blowing out the candles

yummy food

After the party we went to lunch at Chef Point Cafe (remember, the gas station). Bergen had a good nap that day :) In the evening Bergen opened the presents from us and grandparents. The big gift was a water/sand table. He spends lots of time at the sink playing in the water so I knew he would like the table. I was not wrong :) He's had a lot of fun playing with it, although he knew right away it was also supposed to have sand and didn't let us forget it for several days until we could get to the store to get some! I really have been impressed at how well he's played with and rotated through all the new things he's gotten.

"time for my presents!"

every inch of paper has to be torn off before getting excited about the contents 

he had some really cute and thoughtful expressions, "hmm." 

counting the cars...1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10. (constantly working on that 7 and 8) 

"what's it gonna be???" like he doesn't already know, sneak peeker! 

think he likes it!

"that's pretty cool" and "it's gonna be fu-un!"

A week after his birthday, out of the blue, he was standing by some of the toys he had gotten for his birthday and said to me, "Mommy, thank you for my party." Aww! You're welcome baby cakes! Such a sweetheart.