Number 5 is Alive!!!!!!!!!

I had to reach far back into my movie trivia to come up with a title for this post. So think Short Circuit circa 1986...

We had Kenyon's birthday party this past Saturday. I think a good time was had by all. For the fifth year in a row...I swear that next year's party will be smaller and less stressful!!! Now...someone remind me of this come next year! The birthday prep actually began on Thursday, with grocery shopping, list making and errand running. Friday at 6:15 AM began cake making time. Mom was oh so excited!!!! By the time I took Kenyon to school at 9:00 AM, both cakes were baked, but not decorated. However, by Friday evening at 10:00PM, cakes were finished, items needed to take to the park were organized, girls were in bed dreaming of cakes and pinatas and mom was exhausted.

Saturday loomed early with our trusty alarm clock (Ashtyn) waking us up around 5:30 and Kenyon quickly following at 6:00. Lucky for us, both girls got a nap in before the festivities began. At 3:00, I dropped off James and Mario at the park to reserve our table and grill, and returned to the park at 3:30 with both kids and JoAnn. Party began at 4:00. Kenyon invited 30 of her friends and 25 came! All the kids made for a good time. James manned the grill, churning out about 50 sausages (hotdogs). We added some veggies and Ranch Dip (real ranch dip thanks to our visitors), cookies, chips, lollies (candy), fruit and marshmallow kebabs and some cake. Got the kids nice and sugared up before we sent them home for the evening! The kids had the park to play in. Then we played a game of pass the parcel. The kids sit in a circle and pass a wrapped gift around. When the music stops, the kid with the gift, unwraps a layer of wrapping paper. The game ends when the last layer of wrapping paper has been removed. After pass the parcel, we all ate and then let the kids beat the crapola out of 2 pinatas. The pinatas were a huge hit! A donkey for the boys and a butterfly for the girls. We ended with a serenade of Happy Birthday to the birthday girl, cake, and one last play in the park. It was dark when we left. We had a very happy girl! Her party was a success!

Our birthday girl on our back porch right before we left for the park.

Little picture with the birthday girl. Ashtyn was napping.

Sitting in daddy's chair. SOOO ready to get to the party.

The girls coming to the picnic area after having a play in the playground.

Kenyon tried to open all of her gifts as her friends arrived. That did not work. We ended up loading the gifts in the car for her to open that night.

Pass the Parcel. My kids NEVER wear shoes outside anymore.

Pass the Parcel.

Kenyon and Ella (her ballet partner) under the girl's pinata.

Passing out the bags for the kids to collect their pinata goodies.

Ashtyn taking some whacks at the pinata.

Trying to get Kenyon to beat the snot out of the pinata. We ended up with one STRONG pinata.

Daddy had to get after the pinata...and in about 2 more picture you will see what happened.

The kids knew excatly what to do once we finally got the pinata opened.

See the monkey in the tree?? Yup....that would be James. His busting of the pinata ended up with our rope stuck in the tree. He showed off his climbing skills to free the rope. The kids thought he was pretty funny.

Blowing out her candles. Butterfly cakes, butterfly candles, butterfly table cloths, napkin...I think you can figure out the theme. I asked Kenyon if next year, I could just make her a circle cake with white icing. She just gave me a look that leads me to believe that will not fly next year.

Kenyon, unwrapping her loot after a bath. She got some GREAT gifts. She has made some really nice friends here.

Kenyon and her friend Annaka and their monster. Kenyon got a monster making kit as a gift.

I can't believe that our first born angel is almost 5. The time passes so quickly... too quickly I think sometimes. She is amazing to watch. So full of life and laughter, so easy going and kind hearted. Having her has made me a better person. Happy Birthday Kenyon. Mommy and Daddy love you more than words could ever express!