A Bouncing Party

At the time that my brain was planning Abe’s 3rd birthday party, he was terrified of the pool (more specifically, toys floating into the pool drain and disappearing).  So much for the typical pool party.  Of course, he was over that by the time I even started planning the party, but I had talked to him about going to the bounce house instead and he wouldn’t be talked out of it.

I got up early the morning of the party to finish cleaning the house and to bake cupcakes.  Abe woke just as I was putting the second batch of cupcakes in the oven.  We had a lovely conversation about his party, what color to make the frosting, all his friends who were coming, etc.  Then suddenly he turned “3 years old” on me.  The whining began: “I don’t want to do my party!”  Me: “What don’t you want to do?  See your friends?  Eat cupcakes?  Open your gifts?  Go to the bounce house?”  Abe: “All of it!  I don’t want to do all of it!”  Sigh.  Well, I promised him that when the time came, he didn’t have to do anything that he didn’t want to.  He didn’t have to eat his cupcake, blow out his candle, open his gifts or bounce at the bounce house.  But he did have to be there.

True to my word, we didn’t sing “Happy Birthday” to him because he didn’t want us to (not that I didn’t try).  He did want to blow out his candle, so that was a plus.  He also ate his cup cake and opened his gifts (although there were moments when I didn’t think either of those would happen).

Turns out I lied a little bit; I did make him take a group picture.  Somewhere in the bizarre recesses of my brain I decided that a group picture would be fun to have.  I wasn’t expecting much.  No one had to smile or anything for it – I just wanted them all in it (and even that didn’t happen – I missed one.  Aaron, where were you?).   In fact, I expected about what I got.  Is it bad that this is my favorite picture from the day?

Basically we did all the birthday stuff at our house.  The cake and ice cream, the gifts, and lots of play, play, play.  Since we’d just gotten back from our vacation it was really good to see everyone and try to catch up amidst all the mayhem.

After all that was complete and while Abe was agreeable in going (sigh), we headed to the Big Bounce.  Hind-sight is 20/20, and I should have called before we left to see how busy they were.  Turns out they had a wait.  Understandably, much of our party decided not to stick around; they were saying 30 minutes to an hour.  Those of us that stayed the course ate our sack lunches in the waiting room.  Before we were even half finished eating, they started calling our names to go in and jump.  I was so glad we had stayed and it ended up working out just perfect.

Abe had a blast.  He bounced and jumped and slid and climbed with all of his friends.  It was a great way to finish the party out.  We did have one scary moment.  Abe decided to mimic an older boy by trying to go behind a climb-structure (the only non-inflatable thing) and in the process got his head stuck.  I mean really stuck.  I couldn’t get it out.  With all the noise there was no way I could have yelled for help and I really couldn’t leave him as he was starting to freak out.  Thankfully, three other parents (two moms and a dad) saw what was going on and it took all of their strength to pull the railing back far enough for me to squeeze Abe’s head back out.  Yikes!  But if you take that moment out, the party was a big hit!  Thanks so much to all of you that celebrated our big guy with us!!

If you want to see all of the party pictures, go here.