Party Like You're Turning Four

Tomorrow is Bryce's 4th birthday.  Unlike his sister, he decided he did want to have a birthday party.  I tried to convince him to choose some other great "option," but had a hard time coming up with anything extra enticing (Florida had some pretty awesome activities to choose from).  So, yesterday we had our first foray into hosting a birthday party bash.

Overall, I'd say it was solidly mediocre.  Though I was tempted to fly out my sister Kira (party planner extraordinaire), we somehow managed on our own.  We had ten 3-4 year-old boys and girls running rather wildly through the house.  I think Bryce was a little overwhelmed with all the excitement and noise, because he was very hesitant to participate in the games and activities.  

The food and table decorations turned out well (thank you, Pinterest!).  The games needed a lot more work.  We'll just say there is lots of room for improvement (which is a good thing, since Aubree is already planning her next birthday, saying they'll be no other "options" this year).

I stole borrowed the cake idea from a friend who is (or should be) a professional cake decorator.  Her version turned out much better than mine, but Bryce was thrilled with how his cake turned out and that's all that matters.  Speaking of cakes, in the year since Bryce's third birthday when I made him a train cake, he's consistently told me he wanted the same cake for his 4th birthday, only with Gordon heading into the tunnel instead of Thomas heading out of the tunnel.  When I saw my friend's cake a couple weeks ago, I called Aubree over suggesting that we do that cake for her birthday.  She was unimpressed.  Bryce, however, came running over and immediately declared, "I want that cake for my birthday."  Done!  It was much easier than the train cake!

I think the kids had a good time.  Bryce says he had fun, even if he did hang back more than usual.  When it was time to open presents, he opened every gift to a chorus of "Open it! Open it! Open it!"  

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As soon as the party was over and all his friends went home, we loaded up into the car and drove over to my Aunt Deanna's for party #2, a family celebration of all the March birthdays.  This meant more fun, and more cake, and more presents.  I think my kids were in heaven.  

It was a beautiful day (thank you, Spring, for finally gracing us with your presence), so they spent a lot of time outside playing with their cousins.  They came home simultaneously exhausted and wired.

Today was a more low-key day, but Bryce got to choose his favorite dinner - tortellini.  We'll continue our birthday festivities tomorrow.  Aubree and Bryce have been anxiously anticipating these "three days of celebration" for weeks.