Party time! Excellent!

Today was a complete whirlwind! And in the BEST possible way! We celebrated Dekker today. We have been blessed to have him in our lives for the last two years, and Lord willing, many many more. We celebrated in the hot sun, all of us sweating bullets. We celebrated as us old mennonite folk do – with food and hospitality. However, there was no sausage or potatoes in sight. Ice cream, my friends. Ice cream, toppings coming out the wazoo, fruit, and thats about it! Drinks. Lemon water and juice boxes only, but what else does a person need on an insanely hot day?? I know. Beer. Sorry, too many kids. Our guests totalled over 30, which was an incredible turnout! Ten of those guests were kids.

I’m thinking that the fact that I’m putting up the birthday party post on the actual birthday party day, before I’ve eaten supper, is pretty great. Therefore, I’m cheating and the rest of this post will be photos and captions. As I mentioned on my Facebook page, there may be an excessive amount of pictures. But I chose from like 300!!! Mom, I LOVE you for taking so many! I know you seem to think it should annoy me somehow, but I love it 🙂 Thank you for making it so I never have to worry about moments missed.

Let the photo post begin!!!

My Hailey!!! Finally she's made the blog :) She and her boys were our first guests to arrive, and they worked their butts off to help us get the last minute stuff done. Love you guys! — My Hailey!!! Finally she’s made the blog 🙂 She and her boys were our first guests to arrive, and they worked their butts off to help us get the last minute stuff done. Love you guys!

Very few of the guests saw these balloons, which is sad. But the sun was SO hot, and the balloons didn't stand a chance. The sticks proved to be pretty fun later on though. — Very few of the guests saw these balloons, which is sad. But the sun was SO hot, and the balloons didn’t stand a chance. The sticks proved to be pretty fun later on though.

No amount of sunscreen could protect this kid. His arms are not bright red, but they don't feel too terribly warm, so hopefully everything feels ok tomorrow. — No amount of sunscreen could protect this kid. His arms are now bright red, but they don’t feel too terribly warm, so hopefully everything feels ok tomorrow.

Birthday boy sharing dad's ice cream. We aren't very strict with what he eats, but since not many opportunities have presented themselves, this was Dekker's first real experience with candy. He's a fan. — Birthday boy sharing dad’s ice cream. We aren’t very strict with what he eats, but since not many opportunities have presented themselves, this was Dekker’s first real experience with candy. He’s a fan.

Cards are still more exciting than opening gifts, apparently. But hey, I'll take the cuddle. — Cards are still more exciting than opening gifts, apparently. But hey, I’ll take the cuddle.

This is the part where I look ridiculous because I'm so excited about Dekker's gifts! Coolest bath toys ever! — This is the part where I look ridiculous because I’m so excited about Dekker’s gifts! Coolest bath toys ever!

My FAVORITE thing about this party was seeing my friends from different places meet. For instance, this is my best Jerilee hanging out with my best Haileys littlest boy. LOVE it!

Just a few of the many kidlets that made the trip out for the birthday party. They were all so happy to play together :) Warmed my heart. — Just a few of the many kidlets that made the trip out for the birthday party. They were all so happy to play together 🙂 Warmed my heart.

Other little weirdo secretly unwrapping presents behind the chairs :) — Other little weirdo secretly unwrapping presents behind the chairs 🙂

By the end of the party, a certain little birthday boy was looking a little bedraggled, but was completely amped up on sugar! This, however, is his watermelon face. — By the end of the party, a certain little birthday boy was looking a little bedraggled, but was completely amped up on sugar! This is his watermelon face.

Jerilee occupying Dekker on a quick Auntie date

My friend Melissa came by towards the end with the littlest bundle the party saw today. He's just a few short weeks old. — My friend Melissa came by towards the end with the littlest bundle the party saw today. He’s just a few short weeks old.

Dekker's honorary grandma Willa brought probably the best toppings on the table WHICH I FORGOT TO THANK HER FOR!!!! Thank you, friend. I just want to keep snitching from them... — Dekker’s honorary grandma Willa brought probably the best toppings on the table WHICH I FORGOT TO THANK HER FOR!!!! Thank you, friend. I just want to keep snitching from them…

Haven't had a good "roommate" picture in a few years ;) — Haven’t had a good “roommate” picture in a few years 😉

I think its fair to say that we are the happiest family in the world.

So needless to say, today was an amazing success on all levels. Dekker had a short nap right before his party and lasted the entire rest of the time. He was in great spirits, and loved the crowd of people. He wasn’t unhappy in the heat either. It was actually super refreshing to see him get sooo messy! I never thought I’d say something like that, but he is so very careful all the time, I was happy to see him get completely filthy and not care.

Once most of the guests had left, my parents stuck around and helped clean up. And a whopping 20 minutes later, everything was spotless. Yay for disposable everything!!! It was incredible. We chucked Dekker in the bath and cooled him off for a while, and he actually lasted until his regular bedtime, which I would never have expected. Our only challenge this evening was trying to keep him inside. He wanted to go back out sooo bad, but he was all fresh and clean and its still unbelievably hot out there. Maybe tomorrow 🙂

I am overwhelmed. In the best way. I love him.

The Daily Hailey

Life as I see it – babies, belly laughs, and burnt toast