Birthday Guests

We didn't get a good picture of Camden with each of her guests, but did capture a few good pictures of several of the family.

Amanda and Hali

Daddy, Uncle Ric, Papaw, and Grandpa playing Ladderball

ReeRee, Amanda, and Joe waiting for a cupcake

(and showing off the water balloon in a water balloon that Amanda perfected)

Amanda and Joe (and a tired-grumpy Camden)

Uncle Brian, Angie, and Angie's boys

GaGa, Grandpa, and a happy Camden

(obviously at the beginning of the party)

Presents!

It was getting fairly late in the evening when we finally got to the presents.  It was kinda of a mad house because Camden was exhausted and overwhelmed by all the fabulous presents.  We let her open them fairly quickly because she could hardly take it all in. 

Leaptop computer, a doggie, and barbie (with tea set!) are classic toys she has definitely already made the top of her favorite to play with list.

Megablocks, a giant floor puzzle, string beads, and a fishing game are also already used regularly.  She got lots of books, clothes and bubbles, too!
 
The next morning she wanted to wear her new swimsuit (with hearts) and her tiara to play outside with her new bubble wands.

Birthday Cupcakes

Staying with the "three" theme, I made three different cupcakes:  German Chocolate with cream cheese filling, Cookies and Cream with an oreo in the bottom and whipped cream-oreo frosting, and a lemon-blueberry with lemon curd filling and blueberry-lemon buttercream on top.  I attempted to make puzzle piece chocolate pieces to go on top of each one, but they were too fragile and broke when I tried to remove from the parchment.  They need to be thicker outline and I simply ran out of time (and energy) to attempt again. 



The birthday girl did a great job waiting until everyone sang, then promptly blew out the three candles with one swift puff.

My personal favorite was the lemon-blueberry, but most everyone else (including Camden) voted for the cookies and cream.

Camden did inform me yesterday that she needs to have another birthday party since we didn't have cake.  I tried to explain that we did, they were just cupcakes.  She corrected me by pointing out that at birthdays you have cake...with sprinkles...NOT cupcakes.  I guess I know better for next year!

Barbeque Spread

Our dinner was pulled pork, coleslaw, potato salad, chips, and fruit salad.  I love the ease of this meal...put the meat in a crockpot or roaster for 8 hours and viola!  Since "three" was the theme, I made 3 barbeque sauces to try on the pork: Big Daddy Carolina Sauce (mustard-vinegar), Memphis, and Kansas City style. They were each very unique and very tasty.

I think Camden ate more from Aunt Carole's plate than her own...

We were spread throughout the house, but a good meal filled our tummies.



Water, Water, and More Water

As if everyone was not wet enough, we got out the water guns.  Thanks to GaGa, we had six water pistols that were perfect for tag. 

Even when GaGa was an innocent bystander throughout the entire evening, she still managed to take a few hits.

This was Camden's favorite water game of the party. She enjoyed her time running around the yard and squirting everyone.

Water Volleyball and Balloon Fight

We divided into two teams and played water volleyball first.  Each team has a sheet and flings the water balloon across the net to the other team who must try to catch it in their sheet. 



Catching the other team off guard was the best way to get someone wet...and using 3 or 4 balloons at a time also proved to be a winning formula for soaking the other team.

Next, we divided the balloons between the two teams and had an all out water balloon war. 

Shortly into the fight, the hose was broken out...

Buckets also became weapons.  I think Amanda was even on Uncle Ric's team!

The soaking wet warriors strike a pose...

Birthday Party!

On Saturday, we celebrated Camden's 3rd birthday with her family.  With the weather being so hot this summer, we anticipated having to have 22 people inside our small home.  We converted Camden's bedroom to a second dining area and seemed to have enough space.  Turns out, the weather cooperated, and we had a beautiful evening.  We still enjoyed dinner, cake, and presents inside, but we were able to spend a good deal of time outside.

Amanda and Hali were the first to arrive, along with GaGa and Grandpa.  Hali watched from the front door as we prepped for the activities planned for later that evening.

Camden and I had pulled a golden ticket during this Spring's Easter Egg Hunt and won some free t-shirt and a free design from the local screen printing shop.  Kevin and I designed something for Camden's birthday party and everyone wore them to the celebration.  Her them was "puzzles" and "three" so they are both featured on the design, along with a recent picture.  The girls all had yellow with green ink and the boys had green with yellow ink. 

We also planned to take the edge off the heat by playing water games.  GaGa helped us fill the balloons while everyone else arrived.

GaGa also took the brunt of the water "accidents."  She was soaked before the games even began!

Camden has been prepped all week about the water balloons and water guns, so she has been plotting to get everyone wet.  She was so excited the big day had arrived!  She didn't think we had filled enough, though, and took matters into her own hands.