Leah's Third Birthday Party

We had Leah's third birthday party the weekend before her actual birthday - we were hoping that we would have it early enough that Sweetie wouldn't make an arrival before (or during) the party!  It worked out and it was a beautiful day for a party.  The weather was so warm, in the 70s, so we spent most of the party outside.  It was great.  Our guests at the party were Nana and Poppa, Aunt Gina, Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa, Omi and Opa, Aunt Susi and Michael, Aunt Linda, Uncle Chris, Nick and Jason, Aunt Cathy, Uncle Randy, Joe and Amanda, Uncle Chris and Joe, the Santaguidas and the Langes.

In the days leading up to Leah's birthday, she changed her mind every day about what kind of cake she wanted.  One day it was a heart cake, another day a princess cake, another day a fairy cake.  I think at one point or another she also asked for a 3 cake, a hockey cake and a butterfly cake.  In the end, I made her a heart shaped cake with fairies on it.  Leah LOVED it - she said it was exactly what she wanted!

Heart fairy cake

And cupcakes to go along with - decorated by Daddy!

An artsy shot of the cupcakes

The party started around noon.  We had appetizers and hung around outside talking and playing lawn games.  We had lunch about an hour later - meatballs and pulled pork with different salads and sides.  It was yummy food and we very much appreciated everyone helping us out by bringing some of the food for us!

After lunch we brought all of the gifts outside for Leah to open.  It was such a nice day that we couldn't resist spending as much time out there as possible!

Loading up the present table.  In the background you can see one of Leah's early birthday presents - the playhouse in the background is from Nana and Poppa.

Mike, Joe and Cam playing lacrosse

Tag lacrosse maybe?  I'm not sure what they were doing, but Cam LOVED playing with his big cousins!

The birthday girl waiting very patiently to open her gifts

Kinsella men hanging out - Uncle Chris, Joe, Grandpa and Poppa

Awwww - Jaime and Jeff

Are we at a gun show?

 Time to open presents (with help from Amanda and Cam)

Leah opening a present from Omi and Opa - it was a beautiful red dress that Omi made!

Leah opened most of her gifts sitting on Amanda's lap - she loves her cousin Amanda!

Digging in to her next gift

Hugs for Aunt Linda

Leah was very excited to get playdoh

Pretty birthday girl

Great-grandma watching the action

Hugs for Aunt Cathy

And hugs for Uncle Randy

Winking Abby

Relaxing Joe

She is just so darn cute!

Hugs for Joe - he didn't want to crack a smile, but who can resist a Leah hug?

And hugs for Uncle Chris too

This gift is almost bigger than her!

Inside the box was a sock monkey that Great-Grandma made for Leah - so cute!!

Hugs for Great-Grandpa

Aunt Gina and Uncle Matt got Leah a Tigger stuff animal.  Leah bounced around with it, just like one should do with Tigger!

Leah was very excited to get rollerblades from Mama and Daddy.  She has been wanting to use Cameron's for a while now, so she was excited to get her own.  With princesses on them!

Hugs for Aunt Susi

Hugs for Emily

Hugs for Aunt Gina

Pretty Bridgette

Goofy girls

We went inside for Leah's cake because it was a bit windy outside.  Windy enough that even having the sliding glass door open was blowing out the candles!  So everyone piled inside to sing to Leah.  She liked the attention and singing just for her.

Blow out the candles!

And then lick the frosting off the bottom of the fairies

Everyone wanted a fairy to eat frosting off of

Yummy birthday cake!

We spent the rest of the party playing outside.  It was a wonderful party, Leah had a blast and we couldn't have asked for better weather.  Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated with us!