sean has grown up much too much this year.
he had another birthday.
i miss my happy chunky baby that would giggle non-stop.
he had a party with 3 friends and 3 of his siblings.
he had it all planned out and helped prepare everything.
sean is meticulous and a thinker/planner.
175 water balloons.
rainbow cupcakes.
balloons.
water guns and launchers.
the lego center.
pizza, hawaiian punch and watermelon.
the bonzai falls...thanks again russ and jen.
annie shouted something like "this is AWESOME!!" or "YAHOO i LoVe tHIS!" every single time.
jumping from the trampoline into the pool.
a water balloon fight.
and opening presents.
sean said to me in the middle of the craziness..."this is the best party of my whole life!"
just what i wanted to hear.
{{smiles}}
goofballs.
on his actual birthday we kept him happy too.
donut breakfast.
a movie.
when we got there i found out it was 3D so it cost more...i said "you are so lucky it's your birthday mr."
he picked what we had for dinner...and ate with a glass plate.
ice cream cake from dairy queen...his choice...he always wants to be different.
opened presents after cake.
(two of things i gave him... out of four...he already had. UGH! everything looks the same to me!)
nine.
can't really believe it.
his hugs bring me a feeling that i don't have with anyone else.
love that kid.
feel free to e-mail me back if you'd like. beckydoesdye@hotmail.com
Posted by: becky Gard | July 27, 2009 at 08:39 PM
Hi. My name is Becky. My mom is Carolyn. She has been so excited about the people stopping by to see her sunflowers. She made me type your link in and look up the pictures...I haven't made it out to see them yet...but they are gorgeous. She just thought it was the best that you came by that day. She is telling everyone about it. Stop by again the next time you are that way. You should check her garden out at the house too. She has a lovely garden. take care. Becky
Posted by: becky Gard | July 27, 2009 at 08:38 PM
Now that is what SUMMER BIRTHDAYS are all about!!!!
♥ Jen
Posted by: Jen | July 21, 2009 at 09:05 AM
Happy Birthday Sean!!!
Meg~ Being nosey again... how is the boys' room coming along? I'm having decorator's block trying to re-do my boys' room! Seems that what I want and what they want is quite different! I'm trying to find the fine line between commercial/cartoony they like, and comfy/cozy that I like! Got any words of wisdom on keeping mom and boys happy when decorating?
Posted by: Dana D @BoysMyJoys | July 16, 2009 at 09:41 AM
Can I copy that exact party for my birthday next month? Is 31 too old for water balloons and Legos? :)
Posted by: Rebekah | July 16, 2009 at 07:49 AM
Mine is turning nine on Sunday. I have been reading your blog for such a long time and now to think that we were pregnant the same year, same months (June and July were extremely hot that year I remember)... weird huh!?! Or maybe I am... HA!
We are having a drive in movie at our house for his birthday. I borrowed an LCD projector and we will be showing Ghostbusters on the side of the garage Saturday night. Can't wait!!!
Posted by: Deputy's Wife | July 15, 2009 at 09:15 PM
LOVE this post. Our oldest is turning five in a few weeks, so of course, I'm planning and rethinking everything. I suddenly realized looking at your pictures and reading the captions, the ONLY thing I should be planning are things that bring him pure joy and happiness. Thanks for the wake-up call. xoxo
Posted by: Renee | July 15, 2009 at 08:02 PM
Dang you! Now I want cupcakes and cinnabons. :)
Posted by: Amber | July 15, 2009 at 07:15 PM
That LOOKS like the best birthday party ever. I envy people with middle of the summer birthdays who get to have fun outdoor parties. End of Feb birthdays would only be fun in Hawaii. I beter work on moving there. I think it's reason enough. What a nice big brother for letting his little sisters hang out too.
Posted by: Aubrey | July 15, 2009 at 06:37 PM
Umm, is he available to plan my next Birthday Party?? :)
Posted by: Trish | July 15, 2009 at 06:03 PM
What a fun day. Your summer is looking like so much fun!
My Addie has the same skirt that Annie has! It is her favorite, because it "dances" if it's clean (or dirty) she wants to wear it :)
Posted by: Trish | July 15, 2009 at 04:21 PM
Ahhh! Naughty Nine - I hope he has a fun year!!! The photos make me yearn for summer... yearn!!!
Posted by: se7en | July 15, 2009 at 03:29 PM
What great party plans! Everything just looks like so much fun. I'm wanting one of those rainbow cupcakes right now. :)
Posted by: Amber | July 15, 2009 at 01:56 PM
Happy days - looks like its a superb birthday for sean :D
my 'giggling chunky baby' is going to be 9 in October which makes me happy and sad all at the once!!!
Posted by: rachel | July 15, 2009 at 01:33 PM
Looks like a wonderful 9th birthday. Happy birthday to your guy.
Posted by: Secret Mom Thoughts | July 15, 2009 at 01:32 PM
well a great big happy birthday to your son!
i love your blog - it's always fun and entertaining and full of love :)
Posted by: alice | July 15, 2009 at 01:03 PM
so cute, so fun, you are the best mom. Love it, love it all.
Posted by: Jamie Sampson | July 15, 2009 at 12:59 PM
What fun!!!
I am dying to try the rainbow cupcakes...haven't yet.
I have a totally unrelated question for you. What color did you use on the wall in your master bath and what white did you use for the vanity? I am putting together an idea board for my bathroom and I am terrible at picking the colors. Yours are great. Very vintage and serene at the same time!
Amy
Posted by: Amy | July 15, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Happy Birthday to him!
Looks like so much fun :)
Posted by: sarah w | July 15, 2009 at 12:17 PM
so......are you going to share the rainbow cupcake recipe on your sidebar?? :)
Posted by: Sally Pepper | July 15, 2009 at 11:40 AM
I have a little boy with a birthday on the 14th. He turned 3. Can I make him stay that age forever? They grow up too fast! It looks like you had a wonderful birthday party for Sean! Its fun to see what type of parties I might have coming to me in the future :)
Posted by: Michelle B | July 15, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Oh my gosh, the picture of all the kids with their waterguns--PRICELESS! That'll be a favorite of all of theirs for years to come. I have one like that with my brother, sister, and the neighbor kids all lined up on a couch. I just love that photograph. Good job with the party!
Posted by: Notesfromthegrove | July 15, 2009 at 10:24 AM
I have a quick question...Did you put all six colors of the colored cake batter in each cupcake and if so how much of each? I have made the cake but never thought of doing cupcakes and I like the idea of cupcakes.
Posted by: Dawn W. | July 15, 2009 at 10:11 AM
how did you frost your cupcakes and make them look so pretty?? did you pipe the frosting?? super post! love all the pictures, so colorful!!
Posted by: julie y. | July 15, 2009 at 09:57 AM
what a lucky boy! I love all of your pictures, they're so inspiring!! I can't wait until my little girl is old enough to help me plan her birthday parties =) that's so sweet.
Posted by: misty | July 15, 2009 at 09:14 AM
Perfect. Summer. Birthday.
Posted by: Jocelyn Stott | July 15, 2009 at 09:12 AM
He sounds like such a great kid and it's even better when they appreciate everything so much like that. My oldest turns 7 in two weeks - where the heck does the time go?!
Posted by: Cate O'Malley | July 15, 2009 at 09:01 AM
Looks like he had a great day. Love the rainbow cupcakes. You did a great job!
Dawn
Posted by: Dawn W. | July 15, 2009 at 08:51 AM
your cupcakes look beautiful and the party is simple, colorful, and spectacular
thank goodness for home made, few friends, family fun in the yard
I can not handle another invite to chuck e cheese
expensive parties
wasted money
lots of plastic junk coming home in a plastic bag
this is perfect
as always
you got it just right
happy birthday to YOU mama
this is your day, too
Posted by: Laura Phelps | July 15, 2009 at 08:43 AM
Summer birthdays are so much fun! Great pictures! We just had a birthday party for my 12 yr old daughter. We did treasure hunt and camp out. I wanted to follow the teams around the neighborhood on the treasure hunt with my camera but it was just me, so ...
Posted by: Diane | July 15, 2009 at 08:01 AM
wow everything looks so delicious and colorful and fun and i wanna be a 9 year old guy at that party. i want to go see ice age, and i'd pay extra for the 3-D!!
boys are such a blast. i have a 19 year old and he's still a hysterical bucket of fun. i love that kid.
happy birthday!!
Posted by: purejoy | July 15, 2009 at 07:13 AM
how fun! he looks so much like Craig in that last pic.
Posted by: betsy | July 15, 2009 at 07:05 AM
You are such a fun mom! (Or you look like you are!) What a great party without breaking the bank! The pictures are GREAT!
Posted by: angela conklin | July 15, 2009 at 07:00 AM
i can't imagine my life without my little boy! at first i couldn't imagine what i was going to do with one... now i just feel so lucky to have both a boy and a girl! great party and i love the lego station!
Posted by: adrienne | July 15, 2009 at 06:58 AM
I love the LEGO center!
Posted by: CherryTreeLane | July 15, 2009 at 06:56 AM
What a party!!!! I'm just curious...I LOVE the lego center idea....but with all the other fun water activities...I'm just guessing the legos got overlooked a little??? I love it that Sean helped with all the planning :) He's a cutie!! And sounds like a keeper :)
Posted by: Staci | July 15, 2009 at 06:44 AM
What a great photo diary of your family! I feel the same way about my family and can't believe how fast time flies!
Posted by: Mallory | July 15, 2009 at 06:41 AM
oh, sweet sean. happy birthday again.
Posted by: kristin | July 15, 2009 at 06:41 AM
adorable.
Posted by: kasey | July 15, 2009 at 06:27 AM
those rainbow cupcakes look like so much fun! my oldest is named sean and he is also a very meticulous thinker/organizer (at 2!). looks like a super fun day!!
Posted by: erica | July 15, 2009 at 06:18 AM
Those "Surprise" 3D movies are a tough pill to swallow! Same thing happened to me last month. Argh.
What a fun b-day party. Those cupcakes look heavenly!
Posted by: Flower Patch Farmgirl | July 15, 2009 at 06:12 AM
I love ice cream cake too and it was always what I picked growing up! :) The ideas for a birthday are great too! Thank you for sharing your son's special day! Made me smile! Oh by the way, I did a shout out on you today! I really do enjoy your blog!
Posted by: Chele | July 15, 2009 at 06:05 AM
Looking at these pictures was quite a treat. I love the "goofball" picture. I am a third grade teacher and this age group is so fun! Thanks for sharing your family with us...they are beautiful!
Posted by: Theadora | July 15, 2009 at 06:03 AM
What a fun party! And...it looked like the gift he was opening was Mancala. :) Our kiddos have loved that game for years and were just playing it again yesterday!
Posted by: Regina | July 15, 2009 at 05:58 AM
What a sweet message to end the post with. Love to see a pic of you, too!
Posted by: Starnes Fam | July 15, 2009 at 05:47 AM
Happy Birthday to Sean! Looks like an awesome time. My oldest turns 12 next week. And she's already entered the grrr stage.
Posted by: Jess | July 15, 2009 at 05:43 AM
The goofball photo was my favorite! That definitely looked like tons of fun and you did good obviously. The lego center was very cool. I love this blog...it's definitely one of the coolest ones I frequent (stalk in a good way!) daily!
Posted by: Toni :O) | July 15, 2009 at 05:36 AM
What did he pick for his birthday dinner?
Posted by: rebecca kriner | July 15, 2009 at 05:21 AM
Love this post!! What a beautiful day for you all!! The cupcakes were really nice and I love the lego center:) Don't our babies grow up waaaay to fast??? Have a wonderful day.
Posted by: Elma Riedstra | July 15, 2009 at 05:08 AM
my nine year old will be ten in august and i wish you were here, or for that matter, sean seems like he might be just the man for me.
these parties and birthdays just come too fast.
my girl is planning a "sleepover" -ugh.
Posted by: pve | July 15, 2009 at 03:58 AM