Adventures of a Modern Farm Family: Vince's 4th Birthday Party

On Vince's birthday we got home from our camping trip. As we pulled into the driveway Grandma Pat and Papa called to see if they could come over with the baseball players they are hosting and join us for Vince's birthday dinner. I said yes, but I did warn them that Vince was requesting daddy's special mac n cheese (mac n cheese with veggies and hotdogs mixed in). I told them I also had spaghetti.

Vince on his 4th birthday

Per the usual Vince was instantly best friends with these college guys even though Vince couldn't remember their names. He was showing them all his toys, having them play games and trying to convince them to run laps in the house with him. He even took them outside to play on the swing set and they were really enjoying it! Brad was really excited that college guys even thought the swing set was cool! One of the guys even caught fireflies with Vince. Unfortunately for me Vince kept bringing all the fireflies in the house and letting them go!

Joel spent most of the party with balloons tied to his pants.

Aunt Alyse and Dunkin

Cecilia and G.G.

Grandma Dawn, Aunt Alyse, Vincent and his cousins

Papa Razzi helping Joel play a guitar

Joel, my little hoarder, showing Papa Ron his collection

Joel and his collection for the night

Joel, his cape, guitar and Kristine!

We had Vince's big family birthday party this past Sunday. Vince was very excited to have everyone over and so were we. Brad's major concern was perfecting the water slide for "the kids". The baby pool we were using got a hole in it when Brad was cleaning it. With all the hot weather we have had all the stores were out of the type of baby pool we wanted. So Brad went shopping early Sunday morning before church to go get a baby pool.

Version 3 of the water slide

Kristine helping Joel go down the slide with his balloons

Joel, his cape, balloons, and 2 trucks going down the water slide

After church my uncle and aunt arrived early to the party and my uncle (who is also a big kid just like my husband) was quick to jump in and help Brad make the water slide perfect. All the effort was worth it because the kids had a blast on the water slide! Well, with the water slide, water balloons and water balloon launcher.

Getting ready for the water balloon fight

Super Joel and Daddy taking a break and playing some music

Aunt Sarah and Cecilia

For Vince's birthday party we had told people they didn't need to bring a gift, but if they did bring a gift to please make it a homemade gift, something from your house or a garage sale. The boys don't need much, Vince asks for very little and he really is just happy to have people over to play with him. He had so much fun with his cousins!

Joel checking out Vincent's gifts

Joel loved watching the flag blow in the wind

Joel playing with the flag from G.G.

Vince ended up with some really cool presents: books, movies, shells (we have to listen to them several times a day to hear the ocean), a guitar (he has some great songs he sings), and a monster truck super hero cape, and a few other fun things!

Vincent and his tool set from Aunt Tina

Aunt Sarah reading one of the books she gave Vincent

Uncle Bob helping Vincent use the telescope from Grandma Pat and Papa Ron

Vince opening gifts from Grandma Dawn, Papa Razzi, Aunt Kasi and Aunt Kennidy

Vince with the guitar he got from Grandma Dawn and Papa Razzi

Grandma Diane wrapped Vince's gift in Grandpa Craig's old lunch box

Vince and the Monster Truck Super Hero Cape Grandma Diane made

During the party Kennidy got all the kids organized and ready to attack Brad. They made several really good attempts and chased him all over the yard. Unfortunately he managed to get a hold of the pressure washer and they chose to stop! It was a good decision. Later all the cousins turned on Kristine and went after her with water guns, buckets of water, water balloons, etc. She ended up running around the horse pasture and from far away it looked like the little cousins were trying to take down a giant. I tried to convince her to just give in but she wouldn't. If I were her I wouldn't have either! They got her a little wet, but it took a lot of effort on their part.

Kennidy organizing her troops

Keith trying to take Brad down while Maggie goes to throw a water balloon

Brad running from the attack

Maggie and Keith

At the end of the evening Diane suggested we get a picture of all the grandchildren together. There aren't any pictures of the 9 of them. Mary was there too and we wanted her in the picture too! I made all the kids stand against the shed and pretend to take mug shots. Then we tried pictures on the ground and the slide. It took a lot of pictures to get some that are half way decent.