Brinton turned three years old last Saturday. He is getting so big, it's crazy. He was so excited for his birthday to come. I let him pick out his cake mix about a week before the big day. He chose pink, of course. He loves strawberry stuff and there was no talking him out of the pink. Every day for that week up until his birthday, he woke up asking where his birthday was and if it was done cooking. We didn't have an official party for him, but I wanted to do some fun things to make his day special.In the morning, he helped me make his pink cupcakes so he could share them with everyone. He loved putting the sprinkles on the most. For lunch, we had a couple of his friends join us at McDonalds. Brinton loves fries! The playplace there is fun for him. He asks to "go to the nummy store and do a slide" all the time. We don't visit the playplace that often, so it was a special treat. While we were there, I gave everyone a cupcake and decided we would sing to him without a candle. I guess I should have explained to Brinton first . . . he blew out his non-existent candle after the song was over :)After lunch, we went to Jump On It. It was the best because three year olds and under are free. I thought that would be perfect to go have tons of fun jumping and sliding with his friends and not have to pay for it (what a tightwad). They all had a lot of fun, even Zander. I am surprised that no one, especially Brinton, got hurt. That boy was crazy and jumping a little bit out of control on some of the blow up slides. Instead of just sliding down, he thought it would be awesome to just jump from the top to the bottom and land on his bum. There were a few times that Steve had to catch him as he bounced off the slide. By the end of it, he was being more safe and that was nicer for me to watch. We had a little cake party that night with some family. Most of his grandparents came along with some of Brinton's closest cousins.Behold the Mickey Mouse cake! I thought it would be fun to make a cake with fondant this year. I have only done that once before and I was in high school. Like most things I make, I totally hated it until it was completely done. At that point, I was quite satisfied with it. Brinton thought it was the best ever, which was exactly what I was after. He still talks about his Mickey Mouse cake from time to time.He was spoiled with presents and had a lot of fun actually opening them by himself this time. Steve got him to smile for the camera a few times. We know it's a little bit of a scary smile, but he's trying. Thanks to all that shared in his special day, I know that it was better because you were there.

A few weeks ago, we had our extended Bishop family reunion. We have one every other year and it is with all of my cousins from my Dad's side. We usually go camping somewhere for two nights and have some activities planned. A different family is in charge each time so they are always a little different. We had a cowboy theme this time and it was so much fun for all the kids to play together.I took some pictures when we first arrived and then I guess I went on strike because I didn't really get my camera out again. Of course I am regretting that now. There was volleyball going on constantly and most everyone had fun playing a huge game of kickball and ultimate frisbee. Many of us played board and card games throughout the day and it was just fun to visit. I grew up next to my cousins, so it is nice to get together with them. Sorry for the lack of pictures . . . maybe someone else should send me theirs (hint, hint).