Early Birthday Party

Since we weren't exactly sure when we would be moving to New Jersey, we decided to have Alex's birthday party early. Much more fun to have a birthday party with friends than with just your family in attendance!


Grace's requisite birthday sign on the door. I like how she added the "(in here)" in case the five people we invited weren't sure where to go.


What was awaiting Alex when he got home from school on Friday.


Alex's reaction to it.


Gracie being happy, despite the fact that Mama kept reminding her all day that "you and your friends can't tease your brother on his birthday party day."


Alex's new friend Jackson, younger brother of Grace's school friend. You have to find someone to be friends with when you are stuck waiting for your sister after school every day.


This is some game that evolved involving keeping the opposite sex out of the bounce house. Alex gets a pretty good grip on Elizabeth here.


Alex and Mike take a break from bouncing to pick up sticks in the back yard and put them in the wagon.


Kate joins in on the stick-gathering. Grandad realized he has a new game for the kids to play next time they spend the night, and he'll end up with a clean back yard to boot.


Donovan picking out his color sticker for the game. Alex was very happy Donovan came to the party. He no longer goes to school with Alex, but along with Kate and Mike has been his very best friend since they were 2 years old.


Grace was happy that Elizabeth could come along with Jackson, so she had an ally against all the 4 year olds.


Alex about to blow out the candles on his Power Ranger cake, just after he instructed everyone to clasp their hands together. I think he was equating singing "Happy Birthday" with singing "God Our Father."


The boy blowing out the candles. He did a good job getting them out all by himself this year, though it took at least one blow per candle to do the job.

I've told him that when his actual birthday hits that he gets to pick where we go for dinner, trying to steer him toward Cafe Madrid since he loves the calamari and flan, but of course I think McDonalds is going to win out.