Tucker's 3rd Birthday Party

Talk about Tucker's Curious George birthday party had only been going on for months, so to say that our little guy was excited about the arrival of his big day is an understatment! For the past few weeks, he'd been asking if it was his birthday party day, and we were finally able to answer with a big, fat YES!

We had his party at home so I could live out all the party ideas that have been brewing in my head. I enjoy party hosting and all the details, and even after all the stress and exhaustion, it was worth it in the end! My mother was hands-on in the planning process and in carrying out of the festivities. She was a preschool teacher, so this was right up her alley! Even my grandmother and dad left their mark by decorating the Curious George birthday cake. I was amazed at how cute it turned out! My grandmother decorated cakes professionally until she retired many ago, and I think even she was surprised that she still has such talent! My dad actually "drew" George on the cake, then outlined him with icing. Then Grandma filled in his face. Perfection!

The birthday party activities involved a story time with the man with the yellow hat himself (otherwise known as Dada), a craft activity of making yellow hats and Curious George masks, a pinata, and a monkeying around in a bounce house. Everyone was having so much fun, we totally forgot all about a few of the other acitivies we had planned, including one of my favorites. We had orginally planned for the kids to paint the walls (butcher paper on the fence) using markers and crayons, since everyone knows that's one of George's favorite activities, but the heavy winds kept blowing the butcher paper off of the fence. So, inside it went, but time didn't allow for us to actually do the activity. Oh, well. I really was a bit apprehensive about letting little kids color on white paper attached to my white-ish wall! :)

Tucker's party was all things monkey! In addition to the Curious George birthday cake and cupcakes, the man with the yellow hat served chocolate covered frozen banana treats! Red and yellow ballons were tied to bunches of bananas, and our front living area was decorated like a jungle. Tucker requested that there be "lots of bananas at my party" and "a jungle, like in the Curious George movie," and that's exactly what he got.

Luckily, the rain held off until the morning after, so we were able to open up our backyard for partying. I'll admit, the weather reports of severe thunderstorms caused some anxiety, since I wasn't so sure how 50 people would fit inside the house! I believe a fun time was had by all, including the exhausted birthday boy. He fell fast asleep while eating his dinner that evening, and slept unusually late the following morning!

I love how this blog enables me to record all of life's special (and everyday!) moments. I'm sure Tucker will enjoy looking back on this birthday memory in the years to come. Happy Birthday to my big 3 year old! I've caught myself saying he's 2 several times this week. It seems unreal that he is 3 already!

The Birthday Boy sporting a Curious George shirt "I Rule the Jungle Gym"

And of course Miss Macy needed a Curious George bow to wear to the party!

Storytime with man with the yellow hat!

Sweet Riley

Meredith & Jack

Craft Activity

Alexandra in her yellow hat!

Grant- not so sure about that hat?

August as George

Tucker or Curious George?

Carter saying "cheese!"

Monkeying Around in the Bounce House

My little monkey

Bouncing with Dada!

Alexandra posing for the camera. Why won't Tucker do that?

Cake

Party hats and blowers, how fun!


Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...

Happy Birthday Dear Tucker, Happy Birthday to you!

Make a wish, Birthday Boy!

Then the party moved back outside for eating cake:

I love this pic of Cousin Izzy!


Tucker concentrating on getting a piece with lots of frosting!

Chocolate frosting face August.

Cousins Savannah, Christie, Clay & Connor. Clay is Tucker's cousin, and the others are extended family cousins!

Jack enjoying his cake!

Caitlin smiling pretty!

Turn your back for two seconds...

And look who's eating cake!

Miss Piggy Piggy!

Frozen Banana Treats served by the man with the yellow hat!

YUM...frozen bananas!

The man with the yellow hat passing out banana treats.

Ha, this pic is just FUNNY.

Those frozen bananas were tasty!

Miss Riley and Shannon

Macy and Miss Rhonda

August, Tucker, and Katerina enjoying banana treats!

The man with the yellow hat saying his goodbyes. I'm sure Richard was thrilled to leave that yellow costume behind. He was called many names that day: Yellow Pilgram, Neon Man, Banana Man, etc. As you can imagine, some of the adults just loved harrassing him! :)

Pinata Time!

(Click on the pictures below to enlarge them)

Sorry, George. And sorry to all the big kids that didn't get a turn at whacking George. The little kids did their fair share of damage, and all I can say is WOW about Katerina, Connor, Izzy, and Savannah!

Poor George.

Just Hanging Out:

Sweetie Alyssa

Cutie Pie Jackson

Little Lady Caitlin & Macy

Buddies Tucker & Jack....telling secrets?

Alexandra & Tucker HUGS!

I guess plaid is "in."

Party Deco:

This sign lead everyone outside to all the monkey business!

Gifts Galore!

Tuck trying out his new McQueen tricycle from Momo and Papaw!

Thanks to everyone who was a part of Tucker's big day! Each and every one of you made it special. And for those of you who were unable to celebrate with us, we hope to see you next year!