Birthday Part Deux

A quick update - here is Nick with his boat load of presents after his birthday party.

Thank goodness we had a large enough car to fit all his presents, leftover pizza and all five of us!!

Whoa, four years old? Holy moly.

*I wrote this up over a week ago, but it wouldn't let me post. Dunno why. Oh well, here you go...*


Yep, in April Nick turned four. Hard to believe, but there it is. We had managed to escape huge birthday parties for a couple of years (his first birthday was more party for us - I mean, how many one-year olds drink sangria? Hmm, maybe we shouldn't answer that question...) But, after attending many of his friends birthday parties, we couldn't escape it this year.

There was no way on God's green earth I was going to host a gaggle of four-ish year-olds at our house, so we went with Adventure Plex in Manhattan Beach, which specializes in these things. It was great - they have a huge inside structure where the kids can go all over (nearly three stories tall - I know this as I had to climb up to release a trapped foot).


You can also do a craft as part of the party, which was a nice break in between the crazy monkey-like frenzy that occurs on the play structure.


Nick making his "Sand Monster" (red, of course!)


The ball pit, which, unfortunately was also populated with non-party kids who were not nearly as nice as Nick & his buddies. Not to mention the parents who chose not to watch said kids so yours truly had to tell said kids to not throw the balls AT people or outside of the pit. Grrr.


When Nick heard the announcement that food was ready, he and one of his best buddies, Sophie, went running by me so fast to get to the table, their heads were a blur.


Soon the rest of the heads were at the table scarfing down on some (pretty yummy, actually) pizza, fruit (of course) and juice.


Waiting for his cake, Nick demonstrates his nose-picking skills. Lovely. Sophie appears to be unimpressed.


What you get when you ask these two "Who can smile bigger?"


The cake!!!


Cake close-up - Cars themed, naturally! Nick informed me that he wanted "the WHOLE Lightening McQueen, Mommy!!" (He settled for just the eye).


Time to eat!!


I don't have pictures of it, but everyone put their gifts for Nick in a big laundry-type bin on wheels. Sort of like laundry bins you might see at hospitals or something. It was FILLED with presents and Nick INSISTED on pushing it out to the car. It was hysterical, the thing was bigger than him. He was a very lucky boy and his friends were very generous. (So much so that we still have gifts that while unwrapped, remain in their boxes!)

I wonder if we'll be able to skip next year? Hmmm...