Jude is 3 years old: birthday bash

I've done 3 kid parties in my lifetime now, and my over-riding theme seems to be just keep it simple.  Even with as low key as all 3 parties I've thrown have been, the day has definitely always been busy-busy with cleaning and prepping.  This year seemed by far less stressful than last years (that darn blow-up pool that I couldn't figure out how to blow up + that darn big-boy bed that we had to go get, assemble, and get a 2 year old to sleep in all before naptime, and then partytime...).  So maybe by next year, I'll really have it dialed in and I'll be able to kick back and just enjoy. ;)

 Jude had a car party this year, by request.  If there is one thing he's been into his short whole life, it's cars.  We made the kids little cardboard race cars (OK, Dave basically made them), complete with matching eyes and racing stripes.  They loved them!  Way more than I thought they would being that we also had a bouncy house up.  We did a little obstacle course race complete with silly string, gas pump and bubble/squirt bottle car wash.  Cruz and Jude got held back with the surprise silly string attack, but once we mellowed out that situation, they were able to head to the finish line.

Jude got 2 really great gifts at his party.  1) a personalized car mat complete with his house, Ava-Slade-Cruz's house, Gramps' house, Gigi's house, St. George & Zha-Zha's house, mountains, pool, park, etc.  It wasn't quite finished at the time of opening, but the kids loved it already, and I just love the idea of it.  My mom has put quite a little bit of time into it, and it's great to have something so meaningful as a toy.  She has done a really wonderful job.  And 2) a pair of foam swords.  Jude just basically loves anything his cousins have + he basically turns anything into a "hi-yah" as it is!

So, there ya have it.  And now, in just 3 short months, I'll have a 1 year old--and another bash to plan!!

PS:  Here's a little short Brooks put together for Jude: