Madeline's 3rd Birthday Party

Thi and Kelly, our neighbors, invited us to celebrate their daughter's 3rd Birthday.
Nico got a glimpse of what theme parks are---they are a place where all his toys are LIFE SIZE, where he can drive cars and trains, OVER AND OVER and where the adults can all act like kids (playing dress up and helping him get to the next fun activity faster). If only there were NO LINES (Nico had trouble with the fact he had to wait his turn), I know Nico would consider this place HEAVEN!

Our neighbor's kids are a little older (3 and 5)---but they tried to convince the kids for as long as they could that Knotts Berry was Disney World....hahaha....and that Snoopy and all the peanuts characters fill in for Mickey when Mickey is on vacation....oh Parenthood...the things it makes you say...lol.

 Nico loved these little trains...they were HAND POWERED!!! He figured out how to get the little cart going and he DID IT....and LOVEEEEEEDDDDD IT!

 Loved it so much that when his friends got off...He stayed on and went again!

 Then we hit up the bounce house...which he was a PROFESSIONAL at...(falling that is) since he just had one for his birthday.

 After the bounce house we got on MACs like Nico called them. He was in heaven. From the movie cars, he really like MAC the HUGE TRUCK that pulls Lightning McQueen around. HERE he got to RIDE IN MAC!!! You can't imagine the joy exuding from his body!

 We then left the park for a little to grab lunch and a Chicago style kid friendly restaurant where they had AMAZING FRIES!! Another CHECK for Madeline's Party (genious idea).

 Kelly brought stuff for the kids to paint while they waited for the food.

 We ate yummy food and then got to sing Maddie Happy Birthday!!!

 Don't you love the HAPPINESS THAT COMES FROM INNOCENCE?!?!?! ...that genuine enjoyment of the simple joys in life?

 I might add that getting a picture of all these kids was an accomplishment in itself, that I am very proud of!

 "YEA!!! I'm 3"

 Heading back to the Park for a couple more rides....

 We waited in line for the STAGE COACH RIDE!!! 4 beautiful horses were pulling the stage coach!

 After the Stage Coach ride we went on a REAL TRAIN RIDE!!!

 .....THAT GOT HELD UP BY ROBBERS---western cowboys!!! They were really funny actually...as the first robber walked out of our cart he held his hands up with his back towards us and said..."make sure to look for me on a WANTED POSTER....because....you know you want this". Hysterical!

 When we got off we bumped into the robbers again...

 Nico didn't seem phased at all! I guess it's all the western movies we've been watching lately....=)

 He thought they were kinda funny.

 The WHOLE FAMILY GOT HELD UP....but the robber decided not to take their money...since they had 2 kids....they instead told kelly and Thi...."Those little one, Maddie and Zander, they'll take every penny you have....I'll spare you"...again...funny guy.

 Then it was time to go...

I wish I could capture that happiness, that uncontrollable laughter, that genuine joy for life....My son teaches me everyday how to BE A BETTER PERSON. I thank God that I have been blessed to have him in my life. With one smile he gives me the encouragement and the strength I need to do all the things that I need to do..to look at life as he does...a place where only the present matters.