crystal beach

I realized I never wrote about our beach trip a few weeks ago. It was a blast. Crystal beach is a beach that across bay from galveston. You take a free ferry to get there, and you can drive right unto the beach. Had a BBQ for dinner, Michael loved riding the monster tricycle that Chase and Cait gave us, and we all had a good time floating around and digging in the sand. Takes a bit longer to get there, but we thought it was worth it. Didn't get home until around 10 PM, which was almost nice in some ways to break the routine.

Peter is determined to do whatever his brothers do!

My chair broke.... :=(

Didn't have room to bring the big stroller, but Sharon rigged up a nice system to help Peter nap

Michael rode way down the beach by himself

Michael's 3rd Birthday Party

Sharon spent a lot of time and effort into making a great party for Michael's 3rd birthday party. Michael wanted a car theme. For starters, she made an amazing cake. It was ambitious but she succeeded wonderfully, and it was also delicious. Even the fondant was good.

Most of the party was outside. Luckily we were able to borrow a shade canopy from some friends -- it got hot! But we cooled off with the hose and water guns and the slide into a baby pool. Sharon also made this water bed thingy out of plastic that the kids thought was cool.

I think Michael got a little overwhelmed. The idea of opening presents made him happy, so we opened presents early. That and some pink lemonade cheered him right up.

I love the look of frustration that he can't get the present open

Then we had an epic water balloon fight. Sharon filled about 250 balloons that morning in under an hour and a half!

Nailed

Sharon showing no mercy

Everybody looking in the cooler, shocked that all the balloons were gone. I actually had one left that I proceeded to break over Sharon's head

Then we played a pin the car on the track game. Sharon threatened the older kids that they wouldn't get cake if they didn't do it... and everybody soon lined up to play

It was a fun morning. We love you Michael! Happy 3rd birthday!