Preston’s real birthday was January 2, but we just had his official birthday party this past weekend.  Now, I know that I’m a procrastinator, but this 3 month delay wasn’t because of me.  Preston’s ONE WISH for his party was for “Uncle Taylor” to be in attendance.  Taylor is my “little” brother and he’s served our country in the United States Air Force for almost 8 years.  Because of the call of duty, he has been out of the country A LOT…in Germany, Iraq, UAE, and all over the USA.  Preston wanted to wait to have the party until he was certain that Taylor could come.

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Taylor called me a few weeks ago and said he thought he could come home the weekend of the 26th.  My response, “PERFECT!  That’s opening day at the ballpark, so you can see Preston’s first game AND come to the party!”

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Well, as the date got closer, Taylor’s availability became more and more uncertain.  He called the weekend before and told me he could be sent to Libya due to the political unrest there.  I made little effort to plan the party, because I’ve had to cancel too many parties in the past.  On Wednesday I found out for sure that Taylor would be able to come in town the 26th for Preston’s party…the party I had not started planning.

Needless to say, I THREW a party together.  I didn’t make invitations, I sent text invites…very last minute text invites.  (And there are SEVERAL families I forgot to include.  I’m sorry!)  The party wasn’t too fancy, hotdogs and cake at our beautiful church…but it was so much fun, and my baby LOVED it!

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Saturday was a crazy day.  I was frantically trying to get the party ready, so Brad took all three kids to the ballpark’s opening ceremony that morning.  After lunch, we went to Preston’s game.  I wanted to take pictures, but every time i stood up, my skirt flew over my head.  In order to protect the spectators eyes (and my dignity), I just snapped a few pics from my seat.  Isn’t that a lovely chain link fence?  Oh, and my baby is batting somewhere in the background.

Pinky loved hanging out with Uncle Taylor at the game.

On to the party!

Theme explanation:

Preston loves gum.  He’ll take a piece of gum over a cookie or cake any day!  He told me he wanted a bubblegum birthday party.  OK.  I can do that.  Well, about a month ago he decided he wanted a bubblegum baseball birthday party.  Hmmm.  Original.  This is Preston’s Bubblegum Baseball Birthday Party.

The only reason I made a baseball cake board at the bottom was to write “Happy 7th Birthday Preston” around the base, and I totally forgot to do it.  I didn’t even realize it until I was looking at the pictures.  If I was computer savvy I could PhotoShop it in.  I might have to figure that one out. : )

The kids loved the Gumball Machine Cake, and I loved Nolan’s reaction to it.  I made it with my favorite Icing Recipe and Marshmallow Fondant.  I’ll post the fondant recipe one day.

Take me out to the ball game.  Take me out with the crowd.  Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks…

Uncle Andy and Granddear were hard working grill masters during the party.  Glad they got to enjoy the fruits of their labor!

I had several “fun” games planned, but the boys were having so much fun playing wall ball and baseball that we nixed the games.  I tried to take pics of wall ball, but I was afraid I was going to be trampled or pummeled in the process.

My dad…being my dad.

Chest bump.  I think Sam was scared of Preston. :)

Preston Taylor and Uncle Taylor.  My little guy loves my little brother…and I’m so thankful.

Aunt Ashley and AnnaLeigh.  My little girl loves my little sister…and so many people tell me they look alike.  I refuse to believe them. :)

Preston’s Birthday Ball.  We had the guests “autograph” his baseball.

Party Favors: Topps baseball cards with gum, and a baseball sugar cookie.

Preston doesn’t often express appreciation, but when the party was over he hugged me very tightly and said, “That was fun, mama.  I love you.”  WOW!  Those 7 little words melted my heart, and brought tears to my sleep deprived eyes.  I knew he really did enjoy it, and I love to make my babies happy!

Happy very late birthday, my sweet little love!

I love you!