Over the [Big] Top - B's Birthday Celebrations

Umm, yeah, this is only a MONTH in the making!!  So sorry for the delay, but anticipate no longer!!!  Here's to B's Birthday!!

 Happy THIRD Birthday B!!

I can hardly believe that my little B is three!  To be completely honest, I feel like she should be 4 or 5 with how long she has been talking, wearing big-girl undies, and sleeping in a [semi] big-girl bed! 

Now most of you who know me, know that I got my enthusiasm for birthdays from my mom! [love her] ... BUT where I got my overwhelming need to completely redecorate the house for the celebrations remains a mystery ...

We (the littles) decided on a CIRCUS theme for the birthday - so I began the hunt for items to turn my living room into a Big Top!  At Xpedex [heart that store] I found red and white rolls of plastic (granted, it is typically used for tables, but would be perfect to create a red/white tent!) 

Next, was a given ... balloons!  I don't think we've ever had a birthday without a trip to Roberts for their helium balloons, but given the height of the intended guests, we opted for blowing them up ourselves!  G Mac and I had major de-oxygenated headaches!!  I even thought ahead, and bought a hand-held balloon blower-upper, but it can still get super tiresome when you're talking about more than 100 balloons!

Next, a slide!  I had G Mac "clean" off the little tykes from the backyard and bring it in - and given the age group - it was the perfect addition!!  

And here is the result ... PRE-guests!

Like I said, a little OVER the top!  But the littles thought it was awesome!!  See the poses below!

This brings me to the party favors ...

*Red clown noses*  *Star-shaped glasses*  *crazy-colored clown ties*!!!!

For the snacks ... POPCORN [of course] and Red Vines

Now the cake ... I remember my mom laboring for what seemed like ALL DAY  to make super elaborate cakes for our birthdays ... again, I inherited the DESIRE, but not the patience, and definitely not the talent ... so here is what I ended up with ...

 

...though he's not one of my mom's [nor one of my best] I'm kind of in love with the little guy!!!

Aside from the normal festivities [cake, presents, singing, etc] the day also included ...

This cutest clown game from Zurchers.   Perfect for the young'uns because they don't have to wear that pesky mask that comes with the "Pin the ... " games.

Walking the "tight" rope!  We even got one of the moms to try!!  Excellent.

 

We actually started everything off with a balloon fight [of course] and the slide was an obvious hit!!

Then we showed a Little People circus video!! 

I also included a circus coloring page to calm things down a bit before the cake [note to self: not everyone is able to wait for the cake - LOL].  All in all - SO FUN - even had time to chat with adorable friend Kelly [don't you love her scarf ... and boots ... and purse - so stylish, that girl!!!]

And - no surprise - G Mac got in on the fun - While we waited for parents to come get the kiddies, he started DOG-PILING!  [love that man] - [he also made the most awesome circus-birthday-party-themed compilation of songs on CD - VERY cool - anybody want a copy??]

 

 And after all is said and done ...

 

Baby G FINALLY gets to play in the balloons after the guests had gone safely home and Granny could keep a close eye on him.

Lots of work - but soooo worth it ... and then I had a HUGE nap ... whew!!!