Party at the Shire

Some of our best Tucson friends are short people. Not Little People, they're just short. Mr. Chad built a grill and bar and a pergola and christened it The Shire. At least he has a sense of humor about his ~ahem~ shortcoming. (ba-dum-pshh)

It was Mr. Chad's birthday. We invited them over to our house for a birthday dinner, but they asked if they could host instead. Like us, their idea of a great gift is the gift of friendship. So we let them host. Mr. Chad cooked...

 the kids sang along to The Fox... (ding-ding-ding-ga-dinger-ding-ding)

 and Rock tended bar.

 A rainbow popped up during dinner. A little birthday gift from the sky.

 Nicco likes to go to their house and run in the big back yard and play with the dogs.

 Mr. Chad thinks we should get a dog for Nicco. I don't see why...we can use theirs any time.
After they played with the dogs, the kids played dog. Weirdos.

 Then it was time for the really cool toys. But first, a safety lecture from the boss.

Nicco was a little frustrated. He struggled to get the sighting right, he struggled to get his stance right, he struggled to hold the bb gun up while Mr. Chad explained it to him. He just about walked away in anger and frustration but Mr. Chad and the Daddy talked him into taking one more shot. He nailed the bottle so perfectly that he knocked it right off the trash can! Nothing like a little taste of success to encourage a guy! Nicco was pretty proud of his trophy.

It was a birthday party after all, so the girls planned a secret surprise for their daddy. They made him close his eyes. He's such a good sport.

Oh dear...here comes the surprise!

There were big laughs and V for victory signs, but I think the kids may not be prepared for the prankster they unleashed.

It was a good time.