5,4,3,2,1...Happy Birthday, Mackenzie!

Saturday, August 16 was Mackenzie's 3rd birthday.

We had such a great time with Mackenzie's party this year. Since she loves parties too, she helped me plan and decorate for it. The last two weeks she talked of nothing other than the party. She was so happy to see everyone who was able to come. Thank you all for loving Mackenzie--she loves you too! (This is going to be a long post, I can just tell!)

We started out at 10 in the morning with a 3-generation pedicure party at the salon--Jon's mom, me, and Mackenzie. Then we headed to Johnny Carino's for lunch. We went there for dinner last year on her birthday, so now we're making it a tradition.

Birthday lunch wouldn't be the same without...The Birthday Sundae!

After lunch we headed over to PetSmart and picked up a couple of additions to the family. Mackenzie had asked for hamsters a few weeks ago, and we figured they'd be the perfect pets. She loves to watch them scurry around, and she calls them her little babies. She named them Leo and Quincy, the two boys from Little Einsteins. (Thanks Nanny and Papaw for the cage!)When we got home from our busy afternoon out, Mackenzie opened her gifts from us and Jon's parents. She received lots of clothes, a horse stable, books, Barbie dolls, and more!
Our main gift to Mackenzie was this mini bounce-house.

She has such a great time in these, so we couldn't pass it up.

The theme of the party was Little Einsteins...

Mackenzie, Emma, and Kristen had a great time in the new bouncy house. It was just the right size!

The girls also enjoyed blowing bubbles, and getting disgustingly wet. (It looks like Mackenzie is tattling on someone...)

Mackenzie and "Baby Claire".

Hanging out...

I found the best little bakery one town over. They did an awesome job on our Rocket cake. It tasted the best out of all the cakes we've had for Mackenzie.

Mackenzie had her embarrassed face on while we sang "Happy Birthday". She looks mad, but she's only being bashful (which is completely unlike her).

Getting ready to open gifts! Thank you all so much for your wonderful gifts! Mackenzie loves all of them. She received several DVDs, some cute outfits, a Barbie car, vanity set complete with working hairdryer:-), books, crafts, and much more than I can remember.A karoake machine from Nanny and Papaw! Jon's parents know how much Mackenzie loves to sing along with her music, and perform.

My parents found a really cute Little Einsteins Rocket bean bag chair/pillow. Mackenzie and Kristen loved it!

After the gift-opening, we let Leo or Quincy (I have no idea how to tell them apart) run around in his exercise ball.

We celebrated Mackenzie's birthday a few days early with my parents. They gave Mackenzie an adorable vanity dresser.

My shy girl. This is her new embarrassed face.

Mackenzie with her new vanity, and new talking baby doll.
My dad and Mackenzie--she just loves to cuddle!

Happy Birthday, Alan!

Our friend Alan celebrated a birthday last week. We had a birthday dinner at a Mexican restaurant close by, with lots of friends. Mackenzie loves to dance with Alan.

Here's Mackenzie with Jeff--how sweet!
Blowing out the candles...yes, there's a cake behind that gi-normous margarita:-)Mackenzie had to try on the birthday sombrero!

A Royal Tea Party!

Last week we celebrated Emma's 3rd birthday at a boutique with a tea room. Mackenzie had a great time--she loves tea parties! The girls were given a choice of princess costumes, and the boys dressed up as knights. Mackenzie of course chose Tinkerbell. Everyone had such a good time. These kids sure are party animals!

Mackenzie couldn't wait for the tea party to begin. She sat in her chair and said to Emma's mom, "Sara, I need some tea, please!"

Playing blindfolded "Stick the Shoe on Cinderella" sans blindfold!

Trying to get a group picture!

Playdate

We finally got to have a playdate with Kristen! She and her parents came over on Saturday. The girls had such a good time, and played together very nicely. There was hardly any arguing or fighting over toys. Jon and Kristen's daddy, Denard, played video games while Kisha and I visited and watched the girls. We all had a very relaxing evening. We definitely have to do this more often.

Kristen is such a ham!

Super fun week!

Last week was a fun, busy week. Jon's mom was down from Charlotte (sorry, no pics), and my sister's two middle boys spent the week with my parents. I stole them away for a couple of days. We were so glad to have the boys. We only wish Michael could have come. Maybe next summer, and then Katie will be old enough to stay too! Mackenzie loved her family-filled week. She alternated staying at 'Bama's house with 'Bama and Nanny Janet, and staying at Papaw Steve's house with Papaw, Nana, and the boys. (Mackenzie has started calling them "the boys" too!) We were glad to finally have her home, although she keeps asking to go see everyone every day.

We went to Chuck E. Cheese's one night. Mackenzie had only been one time, and that was 2 years ago. She had a blast!

Mackenzie, Stephen, Chris, and Papaw Steve

Whacking the letters!
Mackenzie loved this horse. I'm not sure how many times she rode, but after the first time I stopped worrying about her falling off. It really shook, and lifted up when it jumped. Maybe next time she's around a real horse she'll ride.
Stephen and Chris driving.
Papaw and Mackenzie shooting.

On Thursday we went out for breakfast at IHOP, then to the movies to see KungFu Panda. As you can see, all eyes were glued to the screen.

At the pool!

Stephen doing a jack- knife--sort of!

Mackenzie loved having the boys at the pool with her-although she wouldn't let Jon throw her in like the boys wanted.

Me and the rugrats!

Jon and the rugrats!

My little weirdo, wrapped in a towel in 90 degree weather.I swear Chris didn't know I was taking a picture!

Stephen and Mackenzie

Happy Birthday Katie!

Our niece Kaityn turned 2 on July 14. (I don't know how old that makes Michelle feel, but it makes me feel ancient! )We had a great time at her lakefront party.

Me and Aunt 'Chelle with our babies, with their babies.

Pretty princess cake
The girls actually played nicely.
Mackenzie took advantage of Katie eating cake and took a spin on the new bike.
Can you see how unhappy my little girl is? I hated to see her that way, but we were enforcing our rule about letting the birthday girl open her gifts without help from the peanut gallery. I can only hope she realizes that it's a two-way street--no one will horn in on her gift-opening next month!
The view from the sidelines.Chris, Michael, and Jon fishing.

Jon with all of Michelle & Eric's boys and Mackenzie.

(The birthday girl was fast asleep by this time!)

This is my pooped out child after we got home. It was a busy day, with 4 hours in the car, a fun party, fishing, and visiting with 'Bama 'Ceil. She was ready for bed.