Celebrating Tate

Little Tate just celebrated his 3rd birthday and I have been planning it in my brain for quite awhile.  As you might know, I love parties - especially birthday parties. I love giving someone a chance to feel loved and celebrated and since Tate is one of my favorite people in this universe, I felt especially happy about celebrating him. I'm sure lots of people think spending money and effort on a party for 3 year olds is silly and worthless, but I had a lot of fun doing it, and Tate loved it. Mission accomplished.

 I put up a bunch of pictures in case anyone else wants to throw a construction-themed birthday party...

Decorations included highway signs, caution tape, and balloons (his favorite).

When the kids came in they got to put on a tool belt, and then after one of the activities they got a construction hat.

                                   

The food table...consisted of Nuts 'n Bolts (trail mix) and Boulders (grapes).  The party was at 4:30 pm, so we just went with light snacks.  We put the food in paint trays.

                                   

See why it's called Caution Tape Cake?!  I'm in love with it.  I made the cake and found out how to make the cake, but Matt pulled it off.  He always gets the hard jobs because we both know he'll do a better job.

We had a few activities:  when the kids got there, while we were waiting for everyone to arrive, they colored paper tools to put in their tool belts.

Matt, Summer, and kids came down and were enormously helpful in getting ready for the party.  One of their most darling contributions was putting a tool belt around Nina so that she was properly dressed.

They got their construction hats after they did "pin the shovel on the bulldozer" (not pictured).

                                   
                                       

Another activity was throwing the "rocks" in the dump truck.  Summer made the bean bags for me (thanks!) and Matt fashioned this dump truck out of diaper boxes.

The next activity was the Wrecking Ball.  We let the kids build towers and then knock them over with a wrecking ball. This one was a hit...but totally chaotic.

                                     

And this is how the birthday boy does it.  Rather than throwing the ball as intended, Tate just rammed his whole self into the tower.  That's how he rolls.                                     

Christian enjoying the trucks 

Blowing out his birthday candles.  I love that squishy smile.

Favors were "spare tires" - peach rings.  The back of the bags said "Thanks for joining our crew!"

                                   

Our little family post-party.  It was a wild day, but we had a great time and Tate loved having his friends over to celebrate him.

And finally: one of his friends gave him roller skates.  He has LOVED them and delights in wearing his elbow and knee pads along with his "scooters," as he calls them.  What a proper nerd, right?


That's it.  I love this little guy, and as much as he challenges me, he equally delights me.  He is a spirited guy with a sweet heart and boundless energy.  He loves his family, church, the Children's Museum, and really loves his cars.  He is quick-witted, has a huge and often hilarious vocabulary, and will follow his dad around anywhere.  His favorite song is "I'll Make a Man Out of You" and memorizes books after they've been read to him only a few times.  He gives the best bear hugs and I am so grateful for this funny guy.