Gum-Chewing-Spider-Jack-Bo

Spider Jack-Bo in his special birthday crown!

Jack's is kinda like this one.

When you turn 3 in The McQ Zoo, you get to chew gum. That is a HUGE privilege and responsibility!  Jack-Bo isn't quite 3 yet, but since we had his 3rd birthday party this past Sunday (early to be sure it was before Lander's birth), we knew we were going to allow it now.  The best part is that at Chuck E. Cheese he had enough tickets (thanks to Aunt Christie who found a 1000-count MAGIC ticket next to the ticket blaster) to pick out a mini gumball machine!  So we got to start his gum-chewing with special birthday party gum, which is just adding to his excitement each day so far.

There are rules to chewing gum though.  Rule #1 is you don't swallow it.  If you swallow it, then you lose your privilege at least until the next day.  Rule #2 is that when it loses its flavor you spit it out IN THE TRASH.  If there is no trash close by, you give it to a grown up.  Rule #3 is no gum in the car b/c if you choke the driver cannot get to you quickly enough.  Rule #4 is no sugar-free gum b/c we don't like Jack to have artificial sweeteners...but of course this makes brushing teeth even more important these days...speaking of which I casually mentioned to Jack last night that in a couple more weeks we will be taking him to the dentist.  HUGE mistake.  I am not even sure he knows what the dentist is, but he had a complete meltdown.  "The dentist is mean!"  Seriously?  How does he already know that?  I haven't taken him with me to the dentist except for one time when he was not even a year old.  Does he remember???  No way!

The party was awesome!  18 kids and 29 adults is a quite a crowd, and with so many family and friends who are near and dear to us, Jack seems to have a big birthday bash every year!  It was a blast! Chuck E. Cheese is the way to go for easy, air conditioned, low maintenance and NO CLEAN UP!  I highly recommend it to anyone who is pregnant or just stressed to find a birthday party solution. We brought in our own cake (Spider-Man, made by GRandi of course!) and ice cream, and even Spider-Man themed plates and napkins, but they also can provide all of that if you want them to. Anyway, it was cost-effective, fun and convenient, and our Party Host did a great job making Jack feel super special.  My favorite part was how proud he looked when he received his special birthday boy medal!

My proud big boy sporting his special birthday medal!

Posing with Daddy

 Blowing out his candles and picking his cupcake!

Getting ready to go into the ticket blaster and very excited!

 Riding the "Thinga-ma-jigger" and waving to Chuck 

(from a distance since he is terrified of the large costumed characters or animatronics!)

I love him SO MUCH!

Here are some of our friends and family who were able to come.  I didn't get pics of everyone, so this is just a sampling!

And here is Jack playing games, posing with loved ones and opening his gifts back at home.  He got lots of very cool toys and special thoughtful gifts!  Thank you so much to everyone!  (Oh and in the top right corner you will see Daddy driving the Chuck E. Cheese picture car to get his own pic with the celebrity mouse!  What a goob!)

One of the coolest things we did at the party was a picture sketchbook booth.  You get your picture taken and then the machine draws it like a pencil sketch.  The frame of course is a limited size, so it is hard to get 3 people into the picture, but we managed to get a hilarious photo in The McQ Zoo fashion of course with funny faces, and it is the only picture I have of me with Jack from the whole party!  I scanned it in below! There is also one of Jack with his cousin, Ethan!

So now we have had one last big hurrah for Jack before we add his little sister to The McQ Zoo!  I really wanted him to have a special time and a celebration just for him where HE was truly the center of attention. I am so glad it worked out how it did, and now we can relax and prepare for Lander and know that Jack had his special moment and that it was WONDERFUL.  Happy "Birthday Party Day," Jack-Bo!  You are Mommy and Daddy's favorite boy in the whole world!!!  We love you!!!

I am so lucky to have this precious boy and this miracle baby on the way!  Blessings from God, no doubt!  And who knows???  Maybe my next post will include our newest The McQ Zoo member!  :-)  Until next time...