First of all, it is absolutely wonderful that you were born on a holiday weekend, making it easier to travel and enjoy your birthday due to the "extra" day that the weekend brings. We started planning your party probably six weeks prior to your birthday, first reserving a pavilion at Boulevard Park in Lake Saint Louis, thinking that by the time your birthday came near, the weather would be beautiful if not a little too hot outside. We started letting people know about your birthday - especially big role players, like Grandma Pumphrey. When we told Grandpa and "Ya-ya" Keys, they told us of a vacation that they had planned to Hilton Head... we thought about it and ended up changing the date of the party to accommodate them. We were so happy that we did - it was a blessing they were able to attend.
I love thinking of you and what you would enjoy, and how one day you will know how you fit into our family in the ways that we celebrated. The St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series in 2011 was such a treat for your dad and I to enjoy as Cardinals fans - while we didn't determine a particular theme for your birthday party, God provides for our hearts desires - He knew what we needed.
We were going to a few garage sales on a Saturday, and I noticed a small Cardinal's hat, that I immediately picked up and put on your head - it seemed as if it were made for you - a perfect fit! We looked around at a few other items the garage sale had, and a couple of paper plates caught my attention, one baseball,and the other soccer. God must have known how much I desired to have a party with all the trimmings, because the generous woman at the garage sale piled crepe paper, the plates, the hat, and licenced cardinals gear into a bag and offered it to us for $3. We did feel a little guilty so ended up paying $5 (the hat itself was probably worth $15).
I took delight in being able to make you a birthday shirt - I started with trying to incorporate the colors of our favorite team, and searched for a way to add baseball and your age - we came up with the following...
The food was carefully planned by your Dad and I, starting with the people to invite, and then incorporating favorite picnic favorites - hotdogs, potato salad, baked beans...we later added hamburgers, and a salad. We were able to use an idea found on the internet to have baseball cupcakes. Your cousins Isaac and Mikayla Skidmore came from Beloit with Grandma Pumphrey and helped us decorate the cupcakes into "baseballs" - it was a fun memory building experience!
Your guest list involved family and friends, and the following were the dear people that were able to attend:
- Momma & Daddy (your biggest fans!)
- Grandma June
- Isaac & Mikayla Skidmore
- Grandpa and Yaya Keys
- Great Grandma Punches
- Aunt Lindsey and Ignatius Keys
- Uncle Scott Keys
- Mike Wider
- Chuck and Linda Raymond
- David, Kendel, Grant, Jaymin, Elleny, Bennett & Baby Willaims
- Maddie Burkemper
Grandma June really helped me set up the food - she basically ran the bbq pit, making the fire hot enough to perfect the burgers and hot dogs. She was also extra helpful in decorating and making sure that I felt comfortable with "enough" food. Mikayla was the queen of helping us decorate, and find placement for the balloons and streamers. Isaac and Mikayla helped bring items to and from the car - and Mikayla especially provided a calming of my nerves, reminding me that it was okay that I wanted everything to be special, because you, my dear Paul, are so special to me. I delighted in watching your Dad take control of offering everyone a drink so I could make sure that you were well taken care of - Linda sweetly joked that she was ready to just put you in the car and take you home...she loves you so much and I know she and Chuck have showered you with prayers every day.
Grandma Vickie or Yaya brought a fresh green salad, and it fit in perfectly with our menu. She was so kind to do so, even though she had just returned from vacation! Your dad led the most beauitful prayer before we started eathing, thanking God for the gift that you are to us, and the way you have blessed us with your life! It was beautiful to see him taking charge of leading prayer...really a very special moment. After everyone ate lunch (you mostly ate beans and hotdog) - we relaxed and enjoyed each other's company. It was great to see our friends the Williams fit in perfectly with our dear family and friends - they are so good and great examples of the Christian walk. I enjoyed watching dear friends listen intently to Grandma Punches, taking the time to make her feel special and loved - I tried so hard to soak it all in! I do believe you enjoyed everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to you the most, even more than the sweet buttercream cupcake that you enjoyed smushing.
We asked people not to bring gifts, it already seems as if you have so many toys that you don't play with, and I wanted nothing to keep a friend or family member from attending! However, you were showered with gifts as well - Miss Linda & Chuck gave you Mizzou gear, Grandad & Grandma June gave you many farm animals, to which we are responsible for teaching you the "real" sounds - not just "oink" for pigs. :) Grandpa and Yaya gave you adorable clothes, Great Grandma Punches gave you a tractor and trailer which makes lots of fun sounds! The Williams gave you a complete beach set, including a beach towel, beach ball, windmill, beach chair and a basket full of beach toys. The Skidmores gave you an awesome sherriff set - with a holster, 10 gallon hat, badge, water canteen, and also gave you a fun car, which you've already tried to let your animals drive!
