Four years. 1,461 days. 35,064 hours. 2,103,840 minutes. Forever

Anya turned 4 last Sunday.

Wow.

Anya is 4.

How the hell did that happen?

I know, I know. Cliche and all, but really! How did that happen? I keep meaning to write about it, but I don't do well with the "recap-the-event" type posts. I never manage to capture the essence of the day and it feels all stilted and blah in the retelling. But it was awesome - regardless of my writing.

We threw her a birthday party on Saturday with family and friends. We used to do an annual family get together at our old house sometime in the summer, so we could use the pool. Since we don't have a pool anymore, Anya's birthday has kinda substituted. I love getting the different family groups together. And of course, Anya's friends from day care and the neighborhood were there. In all, I believe there were about 18 kids, and about 22 adults there. It was a madhouse. But in a totally awesome way.

It all started with Ally and Anya headed to the zoo with Rob an hour before the party was scheduled to start. They had gotten invited to another little girl's birthday party the same day. Rob decided he'd take them and just leave early. We actully ended up having kids show up before the birthday girl herself.

My mom said at one point that really I know how to throw a kids birthday party, and yes, I believe I'll bask in the glow of that a bit, because, well... I rock. I served up M&M's, goldfish, PB&J's, Cheetos, fruit and bread with dip. My aunt brought homemade mints (cause I ate all the leftovers from Easter and Anya was pissed at me) for Anya with plenty more for the rest of the group. And I had pizza delivered. Of course, all that was followed by cake and ice cream, with a surprisingly in-tune Happy Birthday serenade.

I rented a bounce house for the kids again this year. It went over great last year, but I was terribly afraid that there'd be rain this year, so had a lot of stress about it, but the rain held off about an hour after everyone left. phew. We blew up tons of balloons to throw in the bounce house.

We got all our outdoor toys out, and just let the kids run around as they pleased. One little girl got on our little powered Jeep and had a blast. She went from barely moving and jerking everytime she hit the gas pedal to doing laps around the yard at top speed. Kids ran up and down the sidewalk on foot and on bikes. A couple kids ran inside and found Anya's stash of babydolls and brought them out for stroller rides.

Anya had an awesome time and a smile on her face the whole day.

 

Of course, she was back to her usual grumpy self the next day for her actual birthday :)

Comments

[Katies Uncle Rick]

Sounds like the kids have been practicing that song all there short lives. GREAT

[Glinda]

It was a good day and all the kids had a great time. You really do know how to throw a kids party.

[arizaphale]

OMG...I think I heard HARMONIES in there!!!!!!!
Loved the kid encouraging her to blow out the candle! Sensational! I loved the 'young kid era' birthday parties but I don't miss the stress and the work. This year I managed to fail to throw a party or make a cake at all. I suspect I will have to make that up though.
As for the last picture...cheer up Anya....it might never happen! :-)