Sammy's Birthday Party

The fourth birthday. We arbitrarily decided back when Sam was a baby that we would consider having a big birthday party when he was turning four. So back in January I booked a room at the Y (because there was no way in hell I was having it at our house, even before we were trying to sell it) and sent him to school with twenty-three invitations.

Yes, twenty-three. Add to that our non-school friends and we were looking at a party that could have exceeded thirty kids. Luckily, only seven kids from school came. His class is comprised of three, four and five year olds (or now four, five and six year olds) and it seemed that most of the attendees were the same age as Sammy.

During the first part of the party we had a little tumbling class. Initially Sam was really reluctant to play. I think it was a combination of being overwhelmed and getting over a cold, so he just wasn't having it. Luckily Lucy was having enough fun for the both of them. In fact, she may have thought the party was for her!

Sam decided to join in on the fun once the parachute came out. Since it was his birthday, he was allowed to throw balls onto the parachute while the other kids were shaking it. As soon as he heard he was allowed to throw things, he quickly got over his sulking.

Maggs was a trooper for a while, and then she fell fast asleep in her Nunnie's arms. Unfortunately Nunnie had not yet had anything to eat or drink!

I think everyone had a great time, and I certainly enjoyed myself despite the insanity. Even though I was behind my camera most of the time, I tried to put it down or hand it off occasionally so that I could celebrate with my boy.

And even though none of my kids are in this photo, it may have been my favorite from the day, objectively speaking. Little Lily just turned two, so she wasn't as interested in the organized class, but she was having a ball all by herself on the mats. What a darling!

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For more photos, visit Tracy Clark for My Best Shot Monday.