Jameston's 2nd Birthday Party :-)

Saturday morning started off with some rainy weather, which hampered our Plano Balloon Festival plans all weekend. But Jameston and Layne, who came in the night before for the birthday celebrations, didn't mind. That morning Jameston spotted one of his birthday presents that he wasn't supposed to see until Tuesday, his actual birthday (this silly Mommy cleaned it up the day before, since it was from Once Upon A Child and forgot it was still in the backyard---oops). I think JW loves his new work bench :-)

The birthday party was in the late afternoon, and tool-themed, of course, for our little Craftsman!

I used last year's birthday banner again,

with pictures from this past year on the flip side

The weather was perfect, so the kids enjoyed some play time outdoors...Riley, Charlotte, and Jameston kicking the ball (that didn't make the picture),

Jackson, Ruby and JW in our new sandbox

Cousin love, or rough-housing

Layne, Charlotte, and Emmie observing something noteworthy in the backyard

There's the ball!

My dear friend, Lindi, and her little girl, Vaughn, who was a little too small to take part in the children's play outside

But she found some things to do inside, or her parents did :-)

Obligatory cousin picture

And family picture...the best one we could get!

Now, on to the food! Since it is the beginning of the college football season (and the Texas Tech game might have been on upstairs) and since Jameston always seems to have a hankering for Italian pies) we had pizzas and salads (along with some healthier finger food options for the kiddos). And no t0ol-themed party is complete with a toolbox cake, made at Rejoice Bakery in downtown Plano

Singing "Happy Birthday"

He was in AMAZEMENT from everyone singing to him...he was speechless for a little bit!

Diggin' into the cake and ice cream

Jameston was showered with some presents from his family and sweet friends

"Thanks, Bea for my new sweater! Tech colors are a must for fall fashion."

The boy received two bulldozers from his cousins and a front-loader from Gigi and Pops...they know him and his new-found love for the sandbox his Daddy built for him!

He received several books, new Legos, puzzles, a play-dough set...and we've played with all of them since last Saturday! But the biggest hit of the party? The tissue paper. From ages 2-5, the kids could not get enough!

Their firefighter hats (could not find construction hats) filled with party favors :-)

And if that wasn't enough birthday festivities for one day, the City of Plano also put on a fireworks show for the would-be Balloon Festival...and we could see them from our driveway!

The kids were up past 9:00 (hey, it's not every night they get to see each other) and had a blast!

So did the adults who were still with us :-)

Riley clapping after what we thought was the finale

Layne skipping around

Our little Red Raiders! I think they had enough sugar and cousin excitement to last them a few weeks :-)

These two LOVE each other...the oldest and the youngest, but not for long with a baby cousin due in December.

So sweet!

What a day! The kids had so much fun, as did we, and we were sad to see everyone go on Sunday. What a blessing it is to be close enough to get together for special occasions, such a birthday parties! We had a wonderful day filled with memories, great friends, decent food, and lots of love! And we think Jameston had a pretty memorable day, too :-)