The Party

Due to extended family travel schedules, we opted to have Benjamin's birthday party last Saturday. It worked out quite well and there was much excitement in our house. We were not sure what it meant to be Benjamin's birthday but he did understand that friends were coming over, there was going to be cake and a candle to blow out, and presents. He talked about it non-stop from the second he woke up at 7:30. He ran around the house asking if it was time yet and helping where he could to get ready. Benjamin didn't seem to notice that it was the day held anything different until it was time for his nap. He cried and cried when mommy put him to bed. We figured it was because he heard us say it was his party and he was afraid he was going to miss it. Grandpa & Grandma came a little early, thank goodness, because we needed a little help with the last minute things. They picked up our balloons and then Grandpa went to pick up our 4 ft. of sub while Grandma helped get out the food. (Did I mention that our power had gone out the night before while Christopher and I were trying to get the house cleaned? Or that we had a minor ice storm and wondered if anyone would be able to come to the party at all?) Then the other grandparents showed up too. Grandpa helped daddy move some furniture around and grandma made a whole mess of jelly sandwiches. We never would have been ready without their help. 11:00 arrived and so did our guests. Turns out no one is as afraid of weather as mommy so we had a nice turn out. We all ate first. Next came presents. Noah had picked out what he was getting Benjamin weeks ago at Target and every time we went there he asked if it was time to buy the barn for Benjamin's birthday party. Well, Benjamin didn't seem too interested in opening his presents, of course, he didn't get a whole lot of time to work on it because our friend Claire was VERY excited about the presents and she helped a good deal. Noah only appeared when it was time to open the barn. He had promised he was going to let Benjamin play with it but I guess he didn't really mean it. Every exciting, light-up, noise-making toy that we opened was quickly whisked away and the birthday boy was getting discouraged until he opened the big box from his uncles. He was just excited about the drumming box, he didn't even know it came with something inside! Benjamin got many nice gifts but one was very exciting (...coming in a post by itself). Then he got his cake and ate it too. Mommy stripped him down to his skibbies because we thought he would get really in to it. He picked his piece right up, took a bite right out of the middle, then threw it on the floor. He wanted nothing more to do with cake, but he wanted to play with all the plates. So much for the priceless picture of the messy cake kid. Maybe the next one... Almost as fun was the fact that Noah stood at the table and ate not one, but two pieces of cake! With a fork, none the less. Benjamin seemed to have a very good time at his party and, as I said, he received many nice presents. We were most happy that we got to share the special day with so many friends and family (Scott, Joel AND Cynthia were there!). Now I can start working on the 2nd birthday. Maybe I will start a little earlier on that one...