Finishing the birthday circuit with Miss M's 3rd Birthday Party

A majority of the moms we hang out had their first child within 6 weeks of Miss M's birthday. This is because most of us met at a new moms group in June of 2011 when we didn't think we were going to make it with our new babies. I just came across the e-mails we originally submitted to the group to introduce ourselves. It makes me laugh. It's amazing how much less stressed out we are with baby #2.

We managed to get a picture of all the ladies. It was the first time we've had a picture taken of us without kids. Alicia is about four weeks from having a baby boy! Katie, Helen, Sinead, Elizabeth and of course yours truly.

Miss M's birthday is at the end of the birthday circuit. We've had four birthday parties in about six weeks with one party being the day before Miss M's party. It's been fun to see the kids all excited about their birthdays.

We hosted Miss M's birthday party at the gymnastics center. I had paid for a reservations then decided to host the party at home. I tried to cancel the reservation but it was too late and I wouldn't have received my money back. It was the best mistake.  We ordered pizza, didn't have to clean the house before or after, it was set for a specific time and the children were entertained by someone other than their parents. A win for everyone.

Aunt Nessie came out to the house Saturday evening and helped me get everything organized to take and make cupcakes.

Sunday morning we loaded up the car and Miss M wanted to sit in the back with Aunt Nessie for her special day. We agreed since it is less than a mile to the gymnastics center. When we arrived we realized we had the time of the party wrong. The party was set for 12:30 p.m. and not 12:00 p.m. so we had to entertain and keep the kids semi quiet for a half hour. It all worked out just fine.

The gymnastics center sets up an obstacle course and the coaches shepherded them through the course. It took four coaches to corral 11 three-year olds. Miss M is the one in the purple hula hoop.  She wore her new leotard (from Aunt Nessie from Christmas) and gray pants.

 They had a blow up bounce house obstacle thing the kids loved.

 Miss M and Annie.  Annie was our neighbor at the apartment we lived in before moving to suburbia.

Annie and Miss M were inseparable. It was pretty cute. Miss M LOVES the parachute. She loves to hold onto it more than anything.

 The kids lined up and Miss M got to sit in the circle and they sang happy birthday to her.

Mr. Man and I hanging out in the party room while we waited for the kids to finish play time. Mr. Man lost his pants after he bit a hole in a water bottle and got all wet.

They set up giant foam mattress-like things in the foam pit to make it easier for the kids to get across the foam pit. Apparently the girls needed a rest.

Here's a picture of most of the people while the kids were eating pizza. All these people (plus the ones not pictured) could have been at my house. Ewww.

 It took Miss M a few tries to get the candle blown out.

All the pictures are courtesy of Aunt Nessie. She was so helpful all weekend (as usual). She figured out the pizzas, set-up, cleaned-up, took pictures. I pretty much stood around and looked good :) or something like that.