Austin's first and last (15th) Birthday Parties!

From Ice Cream cakes to Caramelita's. From pony rides to paint balling, here we are at 15 years old. What a transformation. I remember this first Birthday and thought it was so funny that following this shot, Austin hated getting his face dirty with the yummy cake. Every cake from then on went either directly to his mouth or just all over his fingers. He hasn't changed a bit. Neither has his desire to continually have Birthday parties up until now. He has always been an entertainer and anyone that knows Austin, knows how much he thrives on laughing and hanging out with his friends. He has had Odyssey parties, putt putt, laser tag, Game works, magic shows, pony rides and finally paintball. It was this final one, my last one hosting, my 51st party, that we will finally end on. Like all of them this one was really fun and equally successful. By that I mean ten 15 year olds, overnight and no incidences! Whew! And by whew, I mean, it was fun, but time to move on. Ten older boys, still obviously craving the fun of a "Birthday" gathering, came to our house at 10 am to embark on their 24 hour extravaganza. After borrowing another SUV, we (Reed and I) followed each other with packed cars, music blasting (and I don't mean Disney) on a 40 minute drive to the Key peninsula. All boys were outfitted with their what appeared to be ninja masks and guns and began their 3 hour shoot off in some field I never got to see with their 500 paintballs apiece. Needless to say what they looked like at pickup time and smelled like in the cars on the way to Mc Donalds for extra large meal deals (and a few apple pies!) Yes, they ate there at the horror of all the Santa lapping kiddos in their finest. Home they came to strip down in the laundry room and hot tubbing and icy cold pool tossing they began. I started what ended up being 5 loads of laundry, that some of which I had to load in my machines with my pincher fingers as I was so grossed out. At the fear of sending home shoes their parents would no way recognize, I hand scrubbed 20 tennis shoes to their original luster. Yes, that was my choice. Then after a case of pop and Chex mix, out they all went to play football. Break for me, but not for long. Too cold apparently and some snow flakes were showing up, so the x-box games began. Then after 4 extra large pizzas and another case of pop down with 24 cupcakes (thanks to Megan) they watched a movie. X-box again till 2:30 am after the cheese and crackers tray. Rise and shine at 9:00 for 24 donuts and 2 gallons of milk. Then out the door they went thanks to with it parents and then off to the Seahawks went Reed and I, for a great game and a much needed and deserved Bloody Mary! All done!

Would I do all these parties, all over again, with all my 3 kiddos? Absolutely. What an experience it has been. And my...... have they changed!