Doug's 4th Birthday

We had a great time celebrating Doug's 4th Birthday.  We decided this year he could have a birthday party and invite his friends, and so after inviting our church friends, his preschool friends, and cousin Charlie we ended up with 21 kids here to celebrate.  It was crazy, but we wouldn't have had it any other way.  It was a Diego party, and yes, that is a Dora balloon.  Greg likes Dora, and really wanted a balloon too.  Here we are setting up for the party Friday night. Greg loved being a part of setting it up, but during the party, preferred to hang out with Gpa Ray and Gma Beth. 

For the party, we started them in the dining room (it was a little crowded, but we survived) for a craft and 2 science experiments.  Todd did a physics experiment for the kids, and then we let them make their own volcanoes with baking soda and vinegar.  During the science part, Barbara and Andy were hiding candy throughout the house.  So then we let the kids go on a candy hunt and tear through the house looking for candy.  That was a crowd pleaser. After that they just played until lunch.  For lunch we had pizza or pb&j (Doug's favorite sandwich) which Gma Janet and Gpa Delmar were kind enough to cut into shamrock shapes, bagels, lunch meat sandwiches, cheetos, popcorn, chips, fruit, veggies, tossed salad, and then, of course, cake. I got both a normal cake and then 24 cupcakes in the shape of a cake, and that worked out great.  We really did have a lot of fun at the party, and we are blessed to have so many wonderful friends! And we totally couldn't have pulled it off without our wonderful family! 

Then this morning, being his actual birthday, we let Doug open his presents from us.  We got him a few Diego things (wii game, tag book and of course, underwear) and then this dress up fireman costume.  He loved it.  I was afraid he was going to want to wear it to church!
And then for the final birthday celebration, we took the boys to Build a Bear.  Doug has been wanting to go back (actually the last time we were there was his 3rd Birthday) so we all 4 went this afternoon.  Doug had his heart set on this dog, which he named Slider, and was so happy to get a leash for it.  He has even "took it outside to go potty" when we got home.  Greg got a frog. Here they are "cleaning" them off after getting stuffed.  
Happy 4th Birthday Doug!