20,000 Pieces of Playground

So, yesterday it all began. Well, actually it began a while back. Pop and Lola decided that they wanted to get Reed a swingset for Christmas/Birthday, so we began looking.



We decided on one that Wal-Mart had, so we ordered it. We were shocked when it was delivered in 2 VERY small boxes.

Those two very small boxes were JAM PACKED full of pieces.



Lola, Ava, and Abbey labeled EVERY single piece. It was an incredible task.



Reed woke up from his nap completely ready to play on his swingset, but it was no where near ready.



Everyone pitched in to get the pieces together.



Aunt Ava tried convincing Reed that it was going to come together, but he was not convinced.



Today, we worked hard.

Uncle Brookie played ball with Reed while we worked.



Reed was having a blast in the beautiful weather.





Everything was going great until we realized that we put two of the base pieces on wrong. It was not a terribly hard fix.



After ball, Uncle Brookie blew bubbles for Reed.





Pop worked very hard.



It actually got a little warm.



When it started going up, we realized it was going to be much larger than we imagined.



Reed loved playing outside today.



This is about the 10th position that we had the swingset it, but it was the final resting place.



Reed loved the picnic table.



We had a little snafu on the slide, but it was also pretty easily fixed.



Then it was time to swing!



Swing!



Swing!



Notice that Reed's shoes are on the wrong feet. He loves going against the flow.



Reed really loves the slide.



Of course, we would love for him to climb up eat correctly.





I think he had a good time playing!



Lola reminded Reed to be careful.





The final issue was trying to get the very last piece on! It took a few tries.





But it was certainly worth it to see Reed's happy face.



Pop enjoyed getting to push Reed on the swing.





So, it was a long process, but in the end, Reed ended up with a pretty sweet swingset.

The BIrthday Party Throwdown of 2010

Disclaimer: This post has about 67 photos!



Last night, we worked late at the party venue.



Reed was not amused!



Uncle Brookie and Aunt Ava came.



The party was a restaurant themed and we had breakfast. This was the beverage bar.



Pop and Reed played before Reed's friends arrived.



Aunt Ava made a cute sign and yes, we realize there is an apostrophe missing.



The tables.



The kids had aprons monogrammed by my mom (Enna) and chef hats.



For party favors, the kids enjoyed a candy bar, well, not a literal candy bar, but a candy buffet I guess I should say.







You'll see pictures of the kids enjoying making their candy kits a little later.







Aunt Ava put out the cupcakes from "Cupcake Collection" in Nashville. Yum!



Aunt Ava painted this beautiful banner.



The breakfast food was a great hit.





The food table consisted of bacon, sausage, a pancake bar with choice toppings like blueberries, cherries, and pecans. A delicious grit bar by Uncle Bill with lots of cheese and bacon, and fruit.





The tables were tastefully set.



Abbey created stations for the kids to enjoy. "Create Your Cupcake", "Play With Your Food," "Reedo's Play-Doh", and "Pancake Making".



Another shot of the candy buffet.



Reed was thrilled to see that his friends Roadie the Roadrunner and Fizzy the Big Cup came to his party.



Uncle Bill wore the the Fizzy costume.



And I was Roadie.



Kay Kay and Papa Ken came.







Kolby and Reed LOVED the special guests.







Reed's friend Hayden came from MDO.



And Tate Tate Roller Skate was there.









We were surprised at how much time the kids spent playing with the pretend food.



Raleigh is growing up so fast!



Candace and Leah brought Caroline.



Manya and Uncle Bill manned the pancakes.




The kids loved making play doh.







The pancake chefs.



Good food was had by all.



Reed enjoyed blowing his candles out.



with Britton's help.



Then all of the kids got to decorate their own cupcakes.









Tate couldn't wait to dig in to his cupcake.







Tate got a little overzealous with the chocolate sprinkles. It was adorable!





Then it was time for making their candy buffet favors.



Candy = big hit with 3 year olds.







We were glad Mei Mei came!









Uncle Danny put a cupcake in his "candy favor".

There are more pictures, but I am tired!

Abbey did a phenomenal job getting this party together. She is a born party planner. Her party planning ideas can be read in the March 2010 issue of ParentLife magazine. She wrote an incredible article for the magazine, so be sure to check it out!