This is the kindest “almost” three-year old I know; tender, sweet, caring, compasionate, and cute as a little button.
We didn’t tell her she was having a birthday party, you can imagine her excitement.
She also didn’t know there would be cake or presents or birthday hats. Neither did her sister.
There were several “good sports” who donned hats for the occassion.
Equally as exciting as the hats were the candles {all of them… Morgan was in charge of adding them to the cake so we ended with many more than we actually needed}.
John Martin squeeled like a little pig {and made a face like one too} when we presented him with his birthday candle!
And the poor little man got his feelings hurt when we took the cake away to cut it… or maybe he noticed the candle was pink and the frosting was purple!
He got his cake and Cousin calmed him down!
After the cake and ice cream George took the kids out to play in the corn. I couldn’t find them anywhere and then a little head popped up!
I think we may plant our entire back yard in corn, it’s been very entertaining for the kids! Although, I’m certain, ours wouldn’t look anything like this.
Then we came in to open presents…
JM’s fish bubble came from Ashley Eiler of Blessed Be the Name & Favorite Laundry children’s clothing lines. It might be the sweetest thing he owns and just wait ’til you see what the girls got {I’ll show you soon… we brought them with us}! I examined the construction with my “hawk eyes” and they are so well made, lined, and absolutely beautifully constructed!!
After the kids opened presents we went outside to play wiffle ball and roll around in the freshly mowed grass.
Our weekend has been so wonderful and included an trip to the Dairy D…
plus much more that I’ll report on soon!
GraceK
July 12, 2009 at 3:38 pmWhat beautiful photo – you are so gifted! The pic of JM eating the ice cream cone is hilarious! Looks like y'all are having a great time, can't wait to see more!!
Paloma {La Dolce Vita}
July 12, 2009 at 3:47 pmHow fun! You have such a great eye for photography. The kids look adorable as usual. You have such a precious family!
Jennifer
July 12, 2009 at 4:11 pmLove the bubble. I agree, that might be the sweetest thing I have ever seen. The girls shirts are so cute too. Did you make them?
cedwards55
July 12, 2009 at 4:11 pmWhat precious memories you all made this week. Your photography skills are amazing. Great job, Darby!
Anonymous
July 12, 2009 at 4:48 pmThat "almost" 3 year old is sooo cute, I could eat her with a spoon!!! She looks like she is going to be a fun lovin' girl! And, that is not to say that those other two are also the cutest ever!! Good job parents! Susie in Texas
Elizabeth
July 12, 2009 at 5:17 pmoh, how sweet! i love how you surprised the birthday girl! Sweet, sweet pictures!
ezza
July 12, 2009 at 5:19 pmOkay seriously love your blog. Great photos always, but then you do have the most precious subjects ever!
Jennie-Marie
July 12, 2009 at 5:37 pmOh I love BBTN, just went to a show this weekend! And yes it is all very well constructed! Love all the pics, I know you are enjoying your time at home!
Kendall Boggs
July 12, 2009 at 5:48 pmwhat a magical life!
Ruth
July 12, 2009 at 6:25 pmIn case no one has told you in the last 5 minutes, you have the cutest kids!!
Amanda @ Serenity Now
July 12, 2009 at 6:58 pmGreat party! Love the cornfield shot. 🙂
Hillary @ The Other Mama
July 12, 2009 at 7:01 pmAbsolutely precious pics and kids, too, of course. Happy Birthday!!! So glad you got to share it with family!
MaryBeth
July 12, 2009 at 7:07 pmThis could possible be the sweetest summer vacation ever. We should all have this to go home too. You are all so lucky. MB
Amanda
July 12, 2009 at 7:11 pmI second that Marybeth…You are a lucky gal Darby…I have already contacted BBTN about JM's bubble, I would love to get Christian one but looks like they have moved onto Fall…I'll cross my fingers though! Keep the posts coming, I feel like I am on vacay too!
Allison
July 12, 2009 at 7:37 pmHi! Just wanted to say I "heart" your blog:) My sister, Amelia, works for BBTN! I actually found your blog through her! Anywho….your kiddos are precious and it looks like y'all are having a blast! I just got home from 10 days in Alabama. Now I need a vacation from my vacation…hehe!
Brittny
July 12, 2009 at 7:41 pmcan i come? it looks like a dream being there! and your children are so beautiful! (the younger ones are the same ages as mine and my son thinks paige is cute! of course i had to ask first, he is only 3) we just adopted a 2 yr. old golden retriever and i posted a link to your blog telling my friends i want to move my family and our new dog to your parents' farm. my husband loves your photo skills and is trying to figure out how you do it.
Beck
July 12, 2009 at 7:45 pmDarby, this is my favorite post from the vacation. Lovely, lovely photos…and they aren't half as adorable as the kiddie pies. I'm glad middle child Paige got a surprise celebration!
CC
July 12, 2009 at 8:00 pmDarby, looks like y'all are having the most wonderful memory making vacation!!!! Soak in all the goodness…..and thanks for sharing with all of us!
Happy birthday to your sweet ones!
Hugs!
Jill
July 12, 2009 at 8:30 pmLOVE the pics! I have 3 girls and my two older ones remind me of your's. They have those same shirts, too! Your party looked fun. 🙂
Melissa
July 13, 2009 at 5:34 amWhat a fun party! I want a schoolhouse too!
Erin
July 13, 2009 at 6:07 amI've been a reader for a while, and I just have to tell you… your kids are quite possibly the cutest 3 littles ones I have ever seen! So precious!
And, you've inspired me to sew with all your adorable dresses you've made!
emilia morgan
July 13, 2009 at 7:16 amLooks like you and your family will look back on these beautiful pictures fondly for many years to come!
ansley b.
July 13, 2009 at 8:19 amThe first photo is one of my favorites photos you have taken! Absolutely adorable.
C and M
July 13, 2009 at 9:12 amYour children are going to love looking back on these photos and memories. Great job!
Krista
July 13, 2009 at 10:04 amLooks like a great time … happy birthday to the kiddos. I never comment, but I love reading and trying your recipes. Can't wait to make the fruit roll ups!
Dianne
July 13, 2009 at 3:03 pmYou are making me so ready for our family reunion in August. Love looking at these photos. Thanks for sharing. Is Erika still with you? She has been MIA from her blog. Hope all is well.
xoxo
Maggie Dickinson
July 13, 2009 at 5:37 pmI love the picture of JM shoving that ice cream cone in his mouth. Sooo cute!
Tara McClendon
July 13, 2009 at 6:22 pmLoved all the pictures…you're such a pro with your camera! The ones in the grass are my favorites I think, but then again it's hard to pick! They're all so good! Hope you're having fun, fun, fun on the farm! Call me when you're heading south if you need a break…we've got a great park and splash pad a few blocks from the house. Happy early birthday from the McClendons, Raiger!
Anonymous
July 13, 2009 at 6:40 pmWhat a wonderful place. I love the country.
My son turns five years old on July 14th! What a happy month for a birthday.
Jennifer
Rachel
July 13, 2009 at 8:17 pmSeriously, your family is WAY TOO cute!! I say that at least 3 times each week though so you should be fully aware by now of my thoughts on them!! 🙂 We took a trip to Watercolor (I must make a trip to Red Dog) for the week with family. I was reading through your blog…and my 13 y.o. niece about had a cow b/c she thought your kiddos were the sweetest thing!
bluehydrangea
July 14, 2009 at 5:09 amDo you ever take strangers home with you? I have loved reading and seeing the fabulous pictures from your trip. It looks like the kind of fun my family would love. Can't wait to see more.
Cstargel
July 14, 2009 at 6:04 amI gave you a "shout out" on my blog!!!
https://www.cstargel.blogspot.com/
Can't wait to see more fun stuff from you!
andi
July 14, 2009 at 7:06 amI have loved catching up on your trip!!!!! Mt. C. is beautiful. I love the homes you took pictures of. There are no cookie cutter houses, all authentic architecture- unique and full of character~
I can only imagine leaving will likely rip your heart out…
Katie
July 14, 2009 at 10:01 amThanks for updating even when you're on vacay, Darby! As always, I really enjoy your posts 0– all of them.
Cheers and thanks!
Katie
Christie
July 14, 2009 at 12:15 pmHappy Birthday to your two sweet little ones! Paige has the same birthday as my mother.
I love JM's bubble, and I love the girls' little tops — did you make them? If not, where did you get them?
CWID
July 21, 2009 at 8:47 amOh my gosh! Your pictures are so beautiful! Whatever your mother fed you and Erika, I want some! Both of your blogs are always a pleasure!