Yesterday we celebrated three birthdays: the twinkles (7/28), and my dad (8/1).  It was a very special occasion, and I was happy that we got to do all three at the same time.  I think my dad was especially happy that we got a bouncy castle for him.  We started the day when the kids got up at the now-normal time of 7am.  About this, I am not happy, since I was accustomed to the more reasonable 8am.  I suppose I am now aging like my father and will eventually be rising at 4am to start my day.  I'll probably have to start taking Metamucil and One A Day Senior at that time too.  Anyway, I digress.

My folks arrived about 10am after a minor problem with the Post Oak Tritt detour signage (which, by the way, should be gone in a day or two as the roads are now paved and completed) and after the requisite screaming hellos and violent hugs, I took my parents and my offspring down to the Johnson Ferry access point to the Chattahoochee National Park.  Stephanie stayed home to clean the house and get the party set up.

We had a nice walk for about 3 miles, and stopped to allow the ducks to gorge on hot dog buns while we lost a few pounds in the 88F heat and 50% humidity.  The walk was good, and there was a decent breeze, so it wasn't too unbearable.  We discovered that Maya will probably be some sort of cross-country or track & field athlete, as she decided to follow suit among the other joggers and ran for probably a mile total without stopping.  She is definitely a force to be reckoned with.

After the soggy jogging, I packed the family into the van and we headed back to Firehouse for some subs and a quick pit stop at Publix to grab a 1/4 sheet cake.  I got the kids back for naps by 2:30pm which was a bit late, but they were pretty tired (especially Maya).  Devin, on the other hand, was excited about the impending party, and chose not to nap at all.  Karyn had made her appearance and was helping Steph fill water balloons and get the house set up for the party.

Folks started arriving about 4:30pm-ish, and by 5pm things were underway: slip 'n slide, kiddie pool, water balloons, bouncy castle, sidewalk chalk, swings, bubbles and party favors!  I immediately hit the grill after the kids consumed an entire bag of cheesy poofs.  Silly me, I thought they'd be content with just the one bag... little did I know the appetite of the 3-year-old-to-7-year-old-set.  I'm sure some adults had a few too -- you know who you are!  I whipped up a batch of hot dogs (Hebrew National, natch) and my own special brand of chicken drumsticks, and contrary to my usual m.o., I allowed Mom to help me in the kitchen by basting the meat.  I also prepared some homemade burgers and zucchini spears, although I think a very pregnant Kim and I were the only people eating the veg at this party.

The food consumed, we engaged the fanfare and brought out the custom-decorated (meaning, Steph wrote on the cake because the Publix folk were too busy to decorate the cake in time) Publix Cake, complete with Lightnin' McQueen and Ariel candles.  Shortly after, the sugar buzz ensued, followed by the inevitable sugar crash, followed by the impending departure of our guests.  Clean up was relatively easy with so many hands (thanks, y'all) and the kids went to bed without a fuss.

We wound up the night watching, of all things, the Mecum Auto Auction from Des Moines, in spectacular HD television!  I suppose it didn't matter too much, because we were all just waiting until an appropriate time for bed - me especially, not wanting to go too early, and end up rising at the same time as that guy who has to go make donuts.  Strangely, it all seemed to go by so fast, as good times usually do.  But I'm not lamenting the fact that we can wait another year until we do it again.

3rd Birthday