Party Time!

Had Nate's birthday party this afternoon.

Instead of our usual big bash, though, we stuck with beer and pizza with family on the patio. We were supposed to start our lease on the shop today (if it hadn't fallen through) so wanted to keep it very low-key.

As it turns out, you still have to clean your house and all that stuff (make an ice cream cake!) so you really don't save that much work.

But it was nice to have it a little more calm than usual, especially since we stuck to the only-invite-as-many-kids-as-your-child's-birthday-number (e.g. 2). Nate still had a couple fits but who wouldn't, when your arch-nemesis touches your birthday digger.

All in all, it was a wonderful day in the sun.

Say click:

Nate unwraps his birthday present from his buddies (with a little help):

Clearly a good choice:

While the men assemble the basketball net from Grammie & Grandad:

Hours of fun with the new net (and enough balls for all the kids!):
Party on the lower deck:
I think it was around this time that Cohen told Mela he'd marry her:
Perfect weather:The couple discusses their plans while the monkey hams it up:
A tiny caterpillar shows up just in time to console Mela from a tumble:
Fascination:
Pizza picnic:
Cake time!
Nate spots the cake:
Finger dipping:
Nate checks out his new counting book from Nana:
Nate is instantly satisfied with his new mp3 player:
Mela and Cohen combine forces to transport the two year olds:
More play time:
Any day is a success that ends with watching "fishes" with your sister: