Today is the 3rd birthday of the Amazing Eli Clay. Can you believe that? Neither can we. He is glorious. A prince among men. And the best comic relief I know of. He is sensitive, loving and kind, with a lightening quick wit and a very large brain inside that big ol' head. We love him to bits and are so grateful he's in our lives.
Today's birthday celebrations have been fantastic!
Part one - Eli gets a present.
I hadn't planned to do any presents until after the party and naps. But he woke up so sweet. So, I caved. Eric and I gave him his present from us early this morning. It's the Handy Manny Talking Tool Box and he loves it. You can see it in his sweet little face.
Poor patient Amos is waiting for the new to wear off so he can get his paws on those tools. He might be waiting a while. Eli did share - he offered Amos stretch, the tape measure. Slim pickens, but he'll take what he can get.
(p.s. We do having matching jammies, but who has time to match them?)Part two: Eli has a party.
Thank goodness we planned a simple party in the playground outside our apartment. With the broken foot, I'm not sure I could have pulled off anything off-site or more intense. This was perfect. The weather was beautiful. The set-up was manageable. The kids were magical.
Oh - and the parents helped out so much! Thanks guys!
So we set up for a racecar themed shin-dig on the grass. (Note - the balloons are red and black, but they look hot-pink and black in the photos. Hot-pink and black would be a rockin' color scheme, but not for this party).
This is the first time I didn't say "No Gifts" on the invitations, so Eli wasn't quite sure what to do with the gifts. Poor Grace held this package out to him for a long while until I intervened and explained the present thing to him.He figured it out:
He became obsessed with this gift in particular and toted it everywhere. 
Still got it.The kids stamped a great fall mural with apples and fall foam stamps.
We remembered his birthday crown at the last minute yesterday - and added a third candle just in time.
Sweet Julia!
Why the pout?
Hooray for pizza delivery - another simple, foot/time saving short cut that worked beautifully!
Amos and Estelle had a grand time.
Once Eli got hip to the present thing, he got pretty sneaky about it.
Found one!
Amos, you've lost your juice box.
Reaching for the race flags while no one's looking.
Best moment of the day for Mama.
Cake time! You'll notice I'm not going on and on about the cake. It wasn't my best work...
but it'll do.
Eli had a grand time! He smiled and laughed so much!
He had one particularly hearty chuckle about the following:
Amos' cake face.
I put overalls on him today for a reason.
They may take our lives, but they'll never take... OUR FREEDOM!
Beautiful Birthday Boy.
Off to the races!
Eli waved his flag right off the stick. That's some good waving!
Go Sophie!
Amos and Leo!
The last event of the day was a mentos and soda geyser that Auntie Selena gave us. It was off-theme a bit, but soooo fun!
Jump shot.
Poor Amos left the party looking like a zombie. And I have to admit, I feel a bit like one. But I'm happy to report that we're on to...Part 3: Eli takes a nap (as does Amos and his Mama).
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