Elijah's 4th Birthday Party

I guess I should start back with the actual birthday and move through the week.  On the morning of Elijah's birthday we had set up a scavenger hunt for him to find his presents and leading to the biggest present...a train table!

After breakfast, K&co. came over to play and celebrate.  It was nice and low key.  My folks also arrived that afternoon.  My mom wasn't feeling great, but seemed determined to push through.  Both Elijah and Grace had small coughs and runny noses, but they were still playing and the weather was changing, so I blew it off.  My mom and I went out for fondue Wednesday night and had a blast.

On Thursday, I REALLY needed to clean the house in anticipation of the party.  So my folks took the kids out for bike rides.  But Elijah was really whiney and didn't want to ride bikes and was breaking down.  He had a low grade fever and I asked him if he wanted to come in and go to bed or stay outside.  When he said he wanted to go to bed, I knew something was wrong.  I put him in the big bed and put on a movie and gave him some OJ and snack and there he stayed until lunch.  He started complaining of his ears hurting and so I made a doc appointment.  After Grace was asleep I took Elijah into the doctor's and found out he had a Upper Respiratory Infection...a cold.  So back home we went, and Elijah fell asleep in the car and then again in bed.  I woke him up at 4:15.  He seemed to feel a bit better and played a bit and relaxed a bit.  Both kids fell asleep quickly that night and slept well.

Friday, Jerry was planning on taking a half day off so he and I could go out on a date for his birthday (the 18th.)  I got a call in that morning from my mom.  She hadn't slept the whole night and was really sick.  She was having trouble breathing.  So they were heading home.  I was sad, but mom was upset.  Of course, I wanted them to stay here and celebrate and play and babysit!  But I also want my mom to feel better.  So the kids and I met them for breakfast and then played for the morning.  Jerry came home at lunch and we went out.  The weather was SO nice we ate outside.  We came back for nap and then out for dinner.  A local cafe held a Bluegrass night, so we went over and met some friends for a couple hours of dancing and family fun!

 

Saturday we went to get a few last minute party supplies and then to a park to play.  Elijah seemed to be feeling a LOT better.  After lunch and nap I went to go pick up Elijah's Birthday Cake.

FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!  In look and in taste! 

Then spent the evening finishing the decorating and prep for the party.

So Saturday... I was a bit worried about the weather.  100% chance of thunderstorms and wind... after a brief rumble of thunder the sun came out and the temps were AMAZING!  Elijah put on his Max outfit:

and waited for his guest by the window, watching Where The Wild Things Are.

We had set up the dining area with each child having a goodie bag, a bag puppet, to decorate, a mask, and a tail.

After everyone came in, the art started!

After the art, we moved into the living room with Max's boat and had story time.
During the story the kids were all the Wild Things with their puppets, masks, and well, themselves.

At the end of the story Max ends up back in his own room where his dinner was waiting... "and it was still hot."  So we went off to eat pizza and cake.  Then it was back into the living room for pin the tail on Max (which was hilarious and fun!)

I have to take a moment to say that this party had many dads that brought their kids for one reason or another.  I think it was nice that Jerry wasn't having to be surrounded by estrogen.  Anyway, the man corner:

 

After the pinata, everyone put on their shoes and headed outside for a wild rumpus!!  Also, a friend brought her parachute and we got it out to play.

 

After the friends went their separate ways, Jerry and I cleaned up while Elijah made his Max boat into a fire boy boat, cause why not...

The boat hull is now sitting in the garage waiting to be taken to the recycling bin, but the sail is attached to Elijah's bed. 

I think that the party was a success!  Elijah is a shy kid and honestly, didn't really interact a whole bunch without Jerry or me near him, but when I asked him if he had fun, he replayed everything play by play with great enthusiasm.  I guess he is just a quiet observer...much like his daddy.

We have decided to continue on this road of basing the birthdays after a book.  I think that it can be a fun thing for some years... hopefully.

Regardless, to my little man...may you have many many more birthdays!