Hap-py You You!

Saturday was the boys' birthday party. Even though Helen didn't attend, she has been walking around the house since then singing her version of "Happy Birthday to You," which goes something like "Hap-py You You!"

We had the party at our house because we knew we would have a lot of kids (we invited the 20 kids from their class, plus 15 other kids whose families we are friends with!) and none of the birthday party venues the boys chose would allow that many kids. Of course, it was cold AND raining, so for the most part we had 30 kids, and their parents, inside the house. And although we ordered a bouncy house that we planned to put up in our carport, it never showed up. Neither did the table and chairs, which we ordered from the same place. Miraculously, although it was TOTAL chaos, the house survived quite well.

The loose "theme" of the party was St. Patrick's Day. Good thing my boys are so open to suggestion. I was pushing for something easy! Here are my little 5-year-old leprechans.

Charlie, age 5!

Joseph, age 5!

As we did last year, we were able to convince the boys this year to ask their friends not to bring any presents. It is amazing how easily they agree to this. Last year, we asked that people bring a treat, toy, or food for the animals at the SPCA. It was a great lesson, because kids got to bring something concrete, and the boys got the experience of taking it to the SPCA. This year, they understand a little bit more. So we asked that people contribute $5 to our "pot of gold" which we then donated to the effort at their school to build a new playground. People were generous, and we were able to donate over $275 to the cause! (I think. I let the boys count it, so who knows.)

Joe made the sign: "Cathedral House playgrownd pot of gold"

All the kids basically just ran crazy throughout our house, then we had cake and green ice cream. And green lemonade, which I forgot until all the kids were pretty much done eating, so we have a lot left over! We managed to get most of the kids to eat outside, so the mess, all things considering, was fairly minimal.

Yummy cake from DaCapo's. All the kiddos had to eat Kroger's cupcakes though.

Making birthday wishes!

The mayhem on the porch.

Enjoying the ice cream!

Family picture (minus the sick ones). And I wonder where the boys get their silly personality?

The next day, Sunday, was the boys' actual birthday. Continuing the theme, Cort made them green pancakes. They know that they were both born at 8:20am (although, luckily, it has not yet occurred to them to ask which one came out first). Unfortunately, at 8:19am, Will threw up. We sang and celebrated at 8:20am anyway! They also opened their presents from family. The rest of the day they did pretty much whatever they wanted, exerting their birthday privileges to their full extent. We were homebound since the younger kids were sick, but Sunday night my best friend from Henrietta, since all the way back in the third grade, was in town with her family and came over for dinner. It was great seeing them, because we see them far too rarely, and even better their 10-year-old played terrifically with the boys. She played basketball with them, which they loved, and then even had them playing house! They are still talking about her days later. All in all, a great weekend for our new 5-year-olds.

Opening presents


The boys got Tampa Bay Rays t-shirts from Uncle Rick.


Continuing with the baseball theme (baseball season is right around the corner, you know), Gransan and Grandad bought them a pitching machine.