A party to remember.......

Once again, Happy 3rd Birthday to my BIG girl! I had initially said that taking the fam to Orlando was going to be in lieu of a party this year. Get away with it while you can, right!?!? As the big day neared, I just couldn't go without. So last Wednesday I decided that we'd throw together a little neighborhood (plus a few friends) BBQ in honor of E! Not giving into the likes of the recent parties we've been to (WAY OVER THE TOP), I decided that a cupcake, a steak, a beer, and a bouncy house (at a deep discounted rate due to the last minute interest) was plenty. About an hour before our first friends arrived, Ella mentioned that her tummy hurt and she didn't feel good, so we let her watch a bit of tube and relax while we were getting ready. Just as the first car pulled up, she threw up everywhere. Wardrobe change #1 for mom and Ella. What to do? Call everyone and cancel. No, we cleaned up and forged ahead. Poor baby laid on Chris' shoulder for the first 45 min while friends arrived and kiddies bounced. Then throw up #2 and wardrobe change #2 for mom and Ella. Everyone was warned to party at your own risk as I did not want to be responsible for a spreading virus......reminiscent of Ella's first birthday when we gave everyone the Rotovirus as a part favor. After a mid-party bath, Ella bucked up and bounced back. Our little trooper wasn't going to let anything get in her way of bday fun. She had a great time with friends, loved everyone singing to her, LOVED the cake, and LOVED her presents. Thank goodness Jackie was here to watch Audrey while Chris manned the grill! Once again we proved that all you need to have fun is good company and good food!! Aside from Mom being internally frazzled the entire time b/c things didn't go as I imagined them in my head, it was tons of fun! It wasn't my intention to have a college type garage party, but so it was!!! We still have no idea what came over her because she was just fine and back to normal today. "Mommy, can I have another birthday today?"

Click http://picasaweb.google.com/jhgeric/EllaS3rdBirthdayParty to check out the entire party album.

Thanks, Papa P. for picking up my slack with the pictures. As she so elegantly stated... "Party til' you puke, or in Ella's case, puke then party."