Let the 5th Birthday Festivities Begin!

I think a week seems about the right length of time to spend celebrating one's birthday.  At least that's the case for one lucky, soon-to-be 5 year old in my house.

This year we decided to let Lily have a "friends" birthday party for the first time.  But I waited too long to decide to do this so all rent-able venues were booked up PLUS I'm kinda cheap so I gave Lily two options:  1) she could invite a few of her friends over to the house for a little party or 2) she could invite her whole class to the inside playground.  She chose inside playground.

I was half hoping for the smaller thing at home just cause the indoor playground is always super crowded and we'd have to try stake out a spot to have some cake and the thought of doing that kinda stressed me out.  Kinda like those crazy people who have outdoor weddings.....just leaving so much to chance!

But Joel stepped up and volunteered to get there early so he could try to get a place for us.  He arrived about an hour before the party and hovered like a crazy helicopter over some tables until they freed up.  Then he POUNCED and set up shop.  What a good Daddy.

We kept it very simple.  Cake.  Chips.  Fruit.  Presents.  Playing.  That's it.  Only thing that would have made it better would have been some adult beverages for the parents who were standing around chatting while the kiddos played.  I think that's frowned upon though.  :D

No one's hair caught on fire.  So that's good.

Lily was serving everyone blueberries whether they wanted them or not.

All these people and two little bitty tables.  But we made it work.  And I didn't stress out.  Bonus.

This kid ATE SO MUCH.  Two cupcakes.  Forty-seven handfuls of chips.  Fruit.  Fruit snacks from his treat bag.  A juice box.  Some water.

All the cards had been signed by each kid.  I love it.  I can't believe how much they are growing up.

Pretty sure one of my all time favorite "kid faces" is the full on wide-open snake jaw mouth of kid eating a cupcake.

We managed to sneak in a group shot right at the end of the party.  Except two of the little girls are horribly shy and were not really interested in the photo opportunity so they are not pictured.  

Lily has not put down those identical unicorns (which she got from two different people!) for even 5 seconds since she opened them.  

Lexi, Ava, Lily, Tyler, Amaya, Charlotte, Carter, Remington

(minus Grace and Vanessa)