Claire Kirby is THREE!

For our family, the Fourth of July will always

be positively associated with another grand

event-- CLAIR'S BIRTHDAY!

Yes there was a party, but all in all, this

was like a huge play date, starting with 

this new water table from Granny and

Granddaddy.  It helped beat the heat!

How on earth did the boys ever get it

all to themselves!?

Even before hot dogs were served up, Claire

and Riley had decided one of the most fun

things is to douse each other with cool water.

Bri enjoyed the water plenty, but getting to

ride Claire's glide swing was a treat, too.

While Hunter explores new heights.

Perhaps with a few qualms.

Got to try everything.

I keep getting this feeling somebody's 

behind me.

Ditto what I said earlier about "new heights."

"HOLD ON, Hunter!"

"I am holding on.  Calm down, Grandpa."

Cooling down indoors, Hunter shows

Granddaddy some of his skills with a ball.

And Bri asks, "When will I be old enough

to walk with a cane?"

It's time to serve up the food, and Spiderman

plates are an instant hit.

The plates are almost as good as the food

that's on 'em.

Of course, when you're three, presents

are a huge part of birthday.

Or 23, 43, 83, and so on.

And when you're 20 months old, it's fun

to help big sister celebrate a birthday.

This picture neatly divides the over 35 group

and the under 35 group.  Actually, FOUR

generations are pictured.  Ain't it great?!

Wow!  Spiderman actually shows up for 

the party!

"Uh, Mom, that's a little too realistic for me."

Hunter says, "Okay, that stuff's great, but

can we clear a little space for my race car?"

Bri loves having a little cousin that is happy 

to follow her around-- when her own little

brother won't.

But then Hunter decides he doesn't want

to be left out.  He announces loudly each

time he passes a light on the stairway.

L-i-i-i-g-h-t-t-t!

Bri and Claire quickly get intrigued by this

mix-and-match doll puzzle.

As if on cue, all five children gravitate close

enough together for a picture.  Missing is

baby Reese, who has already been safely

tucked in.  His day will come.

Hunter knows how to back up to a chair

and get comfortable.  While figuring out

a new tool.

Evan remembers he's got a new race car, too.

"Hey cousin, you wanna drag?"

"No, I'm not sleepy just because I'm rubbing

my eye, Mom.  I just got teary-eyed when I 

saw that beautiful cake you slaved over."

Every cake needs an official taster, right?

This cake also got rave reviews from

another consumer survey.

I know it's hard to believe the children are

all standing still.  It's all because of a really

cool Japanese beetle on Hunter's orange shovel.

Bri courageously isolates it for scientific

study in a pail of water.  If that bug had

been smart, it would have flown away while

it had a chance.  But in fairness, they treated

it like an honored guest, not an intruder.

Which just goes to prove, when you go to a

three year-old's birthday party, you might

as well be prepared for anything.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

CLAIRE!!!