Happy 3rd Birthday Olivia!

A few weeks ago we celebrated Olivia's 3rd birthday here with our close neighborhood friends who have kids. It was my first attempt at planning a party. Since Olivia loves the beach, I decided on a beach theme and we had a slip'n'slide, baby pool, sand box and bounce house for the kids to play in during the party. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate as we had the strong winds and overcast skies for the duration of the party. But like the kids noticed! They all had a blast running from activity to activity together while the parents sat around and ate and chatted. We were fortunate to have Justin's parents here with us as well and they were a big help with setting up and serving at the party.

On O's actual birthday, we had a nice low-key celebration with just us and Justin's parents. Olivia requested chicken quesadillas and guacamole for dinner so that is what I made. We had some leftover cake from her party that I had kept frozen all week and then after dinner, O got to open her family presents. She was wonderful while opening presents. She oohed and aahed over everything and said thank you to all of us for the presents. It was an endearing moment for sure.


The cake. A lady just PCS'd here that makes cakes and everyone is using her now since our commissary cakes are pretty awful. The cake was not exactly what I had ordered but good enough.


The birthday girl ready for the party. Although this looks like an advertisement for Ruffles.


The cake and kid's party favors table.


Everyone needs to get here so I can go play in the water!!


How many kids can fit in one small sandbox???


Justin barbecuing and chatting with our next door neighbor and fellow JAG Jared.


The vultures, I mean kids, anxiously waiting for me to cut the cake.


The blue face of a happy birthday girl!


So focused!

The guys doing watch duty over the kid's pool.


O sliding down our makeshift water slide.


And then running and sliding down the slip'n'slide.


A pic of O on her actual birthday getting ready for some cake. She is obsessed with crowns and her grandparents managed to find a cheap one and a magic wand at the local department store for her. She loves them both and usually is holding or wearing one or the other everyday.


The last gift of the day! A bicycle from her grandparents, aunt, uncle and cousins. It was time to retire her tricycle and move her up to her own bike. It's still a little big for her but the way she is growing, we expect her to fit into next month.