Today we had Rowans 3rd birthday party. We had decided on a circus theme, which Rowan was really excited about. She helped pick out the cake, and the goody baskets for her friends. She wore her new yellow birthday shirt, and some little yellow bows in her hair. She was waiting anxiously for everyone to arrive:
She was so anxious, she couldn't figure out what to do with her hands, and finally decided to stuff them in her pockets:
Such a cutie! Once everyone arrived, we hung out and snacked for a while, and then the games began! First we did pin the nose on the clown, which was hilarious to watch. Each time I would spin the child around, and then point them towards the wall less than 3 feet in front of them, but a couple ended up way off course, much to the delight of the other kids. Riley was the big winner, and after a rough start he got his nose right next to where it should be:
Then we did a peanut relay race. Rowan cheated a little bit:
But it didn't help her win...Riley took this one too! He was on a role, probably fueled by the fact that he was at least 2+ years older than everyone else. He was a great sport though, and gave his second prize to me. Uh, I mean Rowan. But someone had to help her eat that bag of jelly beans! After that we did a version of musical chairs, except it was with those funny groucho eyeglass and nose combos. It was supposed to be clown noses, but strangely enough those are hard to find in January. So we made due with these:
The kids ran around and around and when the dust cleared, Paul was the winner! It was fitting that he won, look at the sweet moves he was throwing out during the game:
After games Rowan declared it was time for cake. And not just any cake...CHOCOLATE cake. This girl and her chocolate! Whenever we talked about her party in the weeks before her birthday, the most important thing to her each time was that I not forget the chocolate cake. Keeping in the tradition of making their own cakes, I found a recipe for this cute clown ice cream cake:
The frosting fell apart, and the clown hats weren't straight, but Row loved it. Behind the cake is a plate of clown cupcakes, mostly made for Killian because he is the opposite of his sister, and he HATES chocolate. I might have to get him tested, who has ever heard of a kid hating chocolate?!
Rowan blew out her candles:
Then she and her friends loaded up on cake, frosting and ice cream. In hindsight, we should have waited until the presents were done, and then overdosed the kids on sugar. They were really hyped up! But everyone had fun watching Row open her presents, and in true kid birthday fashion, they all gathered round to help. She got so many thoughtful and fun presents, and she was really excited. Her best friend Henry gave her a very special present. Not only did he get her a set of Lego's, which she loves, but he also filled her present bag with little cards and pictures that he had made for her. I saved them all, they were just so cute. Those two have a such a special friendship! As soon as the presents were done being opened, they ran off together to put her plane together. No, I am not sure why she has her tummy showing!
Killian also wanted to help, and he came up with a great idea so that everyone could work together. He would show Rowan the pieces needed for the step, then Rowan would take them and hand them to Henry, who would hand them to Killian, who would put them together. I thought it was pretty great teamwork!
Soon after, the sugar hit the kids brains, and it got a little wild. They opened their goodie bags, which included punch balloons, and it was on. Notice the only smart one was Aimee, who is running away from the chaos (you can see her through the window):
They also got circus animal masks in their bags:
And noisemaker things that didn't actually make noise, which made the adults very happy:
And this little guy? He didn't need props like masks, or balloons or noisemakers! Oh no, he stole the show all on his own....he is just the cutest little baby ever!
All in all, we had a great time! We missed our friends and family who couldn't make it, but we were blessed to spend Rowans special day with everyone who could. We love you all <3
Oh, and another thing. Rowan got a little outfit from her Aunt Michelle. But she didn't like it much. Its too bad she was so upset about wearing it....
Aunt Michelle.....don't let these pictures fool you....she LOVED it!!! ;)
This sweet little girl is such a blessing in our lives. She is spunky. She knows what she wants and goes after it with everything she has. She has her daddies sense of humor and is constantly cracking us all up. I want the world for her, and I have known since she was a baby that she has the personality to get it. I can not imagine our family without her, and I am so proud to say she is my daughter. We love you so much Rowee!
She was so anxious, she couldn't figure out what to do with her hands, and finally decided to stuff them in her pockets:
Such a cutie! Once everyone arrived, we hung out and snacked for a while, and then the games began! First we did pin the nose on the clown, which was hilarious to watch. Each time I would spin the child around, and then point them towards the wall less than 3 feet in front of them, but a couple ended up way off course, much to the delight of the other kids. Riley was the big winner, and after a rough start he got his nose right next to where it should be:
Then we did a peanut relay race. Rowan cheated a little bit:
But it didn't help her win...Riley took this one too! He was on a role, probably fueled by the fact that he was at least 2+ years older than everyone else. He was a great sport though, and gave his second prize to me. Uh, I mean Rowan. But someone had to help her eat that bag of jelly beans! After that we did a version of musical chairs, except it was with those funny groucho eyeglass and nose combos. It was supposed to be clown noses, but strangely enough those are hard to find in January. So we made due with these:
The kids ran around and around and when the dust cleared, Paul was the winner! It was fitting that he won, look at the sweet moves he was throwing out during the game:
After games Rowan declared it was time for cake. And not just any cake...CHOCOLATE cake. This girl and her chocolate! Whenever we talked about her party in the weeks before her birthday, the most important thing to her each time was that I not forget the chocolate cake. Keeping in the tradition of making their own cakes, I found a recipe for this cute clown ice cream cake:
The frosting fell apart, and the clown hats weren't straight, but Row loved it. Behind the cake is a plate of clown cupcakes, mostly made for Killian because he is the opposite of his sister, and he HATES chocolate. I might have to get him tested, who has ever heard of a kid hating chocolate?!
Rowan blew out her candles:
Then she and her friends loaded up on cake, frosting and ice cream. In hindsight, we should have waited until the presents were done, and then overdosed the kids on sugar. They were really hyped up! But everyone had fun watching Row open her presents, and in true kid birthday fashion, they all gathered round to help. She got so many thoughtful and fun presents, and she was really excited. Her best friend Henry gave her a very special present. Not only did he get her a set of Lego's, which she loves, but he also filled her present bag with little cards and pictures that he had made for her. I saved them all, they were just so cute. Those two have a such a special friendship! As soon as the presents were done being opened, they ran off together to put her plane together. No, I am not sure why she has her tummy showing!
Killian also wanted to help, and he came up with a great idea so that everyone could work together. He would show Rowan the pieces needed for the step, then Rowan would take them and hand them to Henry, who would hand them to Killian, who would put them together. I thought it was pretty great teamwork!
Soon after, the sugar hit the kids brains, and it got a little wild. They opened their goodie bags, which included punch balloons, and it was on. Notice the only smart one was Aimee, who is running away from the chaos (you can see her through the window):
They also got circus animal masks in their bags:
And noisemaker things that didn't actually make noise, which made the adults very happy:
And this little guy? He didn't need props like masks, or balloons or noisemakers! Oh no, he stole the show all on his own....he is just the cutest little baby ever!
All in all, we had a great time! We missed our friends and family who couldn't make it, but we were blessed to spend Rowans special day with everyone who could. We love you all <3
Oh, and another thing. Rowan got a little outfit from her Aunt Michelle. But she didn't like it much. Its too bad she was so upset about wearing it....
Aunt Michelle.....don't let these pictures fool you....she LOVED it!!! ;)
This sweet little girl is such a blessing in our lives. She is spunky. She knows what she wants and goes after it with everything she has. She has her daddies sense of humor and is constantly cracking us all up. I want the world for her, and I have known since she was a baby that she has the personality to get it. I can not imagine our family without her, and I am so proud to say she is my daughter. We love you so much Rowee!