random notes from a birthday party

• Okay so, Abby has herself a nice little group of friends. They were all polite, played together well and conflicts were nearly nonexistent. We really couldn't have asked for better for our first foray into the whole school age birthday party scene.
• All of the sudden Abby seems so grown up. Every time someone new joined the party she'd stop what she was doing to introduce people.
  
• Oh and the new Mom that I was so nervous about..... she was great. Couldn't have asked for better there either. Even Mike commented later that evening that I got really chatty really quickly. Always a sure sign I'm clicking with someone.
  
• Lesson learned; despite whatever you write on an invitation to the contrary people are going to show up with a birthday present. Best wishes only be damned! Which isn't to be ungrateful, but I realize once you cross into that school age birthday party scene it can get expensive being an invitee.

• Cupcake tree = big hit. Loved it. Was just right for today. Can I tell you I was pretty puffed up with pride when she asked her friends to help blow out her candles.
  
• Regular head counts are extremely important during these types of events.
  
• Rumors that we lost a child yesterday are greatly exaggerated.
• Okay we did lose one, but only for a very short time.
• Like only about 5 completely heart stopping moments.
• Mike may have had a stroke during that time and he definitely shaved about 15 years off his life.
• I had two girls in the toyroom, but when I checked there was only one. Girl #2, unbeknownst to me, was using the bathroom. So when I went back outside to check for her there she left the bathroom, again unbeknownst to me, and returned to the toyroom. Where she remained until my Mom poked her head in there a few minutes later. It was like a scene from Fawlty Towers.
• Any time someone said happy birthday to Abby she would respond, happy birthday to you as if we were celebrating some sort of national holiday.
• Despite being poked an prodded all day, Zebby was an absolute angel with the kids. Never once acting up with them which is not something I'm used to as our last cat was a cranky bugger.
• Abby stayed pretty good natured for such a long day of bouncing.
  
• As I do every year, I forgot to hand out the goodie bags at the end of the evening.

• Best reaction to a present: I GOT MY OWN CREDIT CARD!!! - Abby when she got her Wendy's gift card.
• Second best reaction: Oh this is the best thing I ever wanted! Mike: What is it? Abby: THIS!!
• Third best reaction: How did you know I wanted a flutter board!? - when opening, you guessed it, a flutter board.

I don't know what else I can say. The whole day was amazing. Abby was more than adequately polite and appreciative of all who came to share her birthday. The cakes were great, although I was happier with the Lightening McQueen one than I was with Cinderella, but Abby thought they were both pretty terrific and that of course is the best part. The rain held off, all in all it was fantastic. Exactly the kind of day I wanted for her.

full photographic evidence here