Charlie is 3!

I don't know how to catch up or keep up with blogging.  I've been trying to find a balance, and blogging keeps getting on the bottom of the list.   I don't want to give up, because I want to look back at this later.   Maybe it's a phase.   And I'll get back in the groove.   I've poured a glass of wine, and I'm ready to upload a million pictures.   Or until my laptop runs out of battery (which is usually after about 20 minutes and 4-5 losses of internet connection).    Anywho ... here we go.   

Charlie turned 3 at the beginning of June.   He was finally potty trained just days before.  It finally clicked.  I can finally have one in diapers.  Whew.  That's helped the monthy budget, and my patience.

We celebrated his birthday with dinner and cupcakes on the deck.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 And this is random.  But these are some blackberry plants we swiped from Lake Charles a year ago when we went to say "goodbye" to Miller Lane.  So glad that they survived and we are going to get them planted in the ground one of these days.  Hopefully we will be making cobblers in a couple of years : )

The Friday after Charlie's birthday, we had a little party at the splash pool in our neighborhood.   It was a fun party!   Easy set up and clean up.   Here are a ton of pictures ...

Birthday invites. 

 Mady

 Cooper

 Margaret

 Lily and Mady

 Jonah

 Tom, Simon, and Margaret

Dylon

 The floppy hat lasted for a little while. 

 Birthday boy and Uncle Daniel

 Mom (with broken foot) and solemn Maggie.

 Norah

 Mia

 Pedro and Alfredo

 Guiliana

 Alexander

 Mady, Natalie, Gaby

Natalie and Gaby

 Jackson and Nathan.

 I love this boy.

 

 We had cupcakes, sugar cookies, oreo truffles, popscicles, pizza.

 Boys will be boys...

 We might be having his parties here for the next few years at least.  

It was so nice to stay cool!

 Simon

 Giving love to Maggie : )

I'm on board with an arranged marriage, Rebekah.

Tattoos

 We did a punch box and everyone got a few prizes.

 Tom and Colin, talking .... talking.... talking....

 Henry checking out the favors.

 Norah and Jonah rocking their shades from the favors. 

Loving this picture.

 Poor Maggie.  Not sure what was up with her that day. 

 Tried to coax a smile out of her.

 It didn't work

 We came back to the house and visited with friends a little longer.

Charlie ran around with his underwear on (backward).

Happy birthday to my sweet Charlie.