A Magical Party

We've had a whirlwind weekend that's for sure! Saturday we had Brooke's birthday party at our house in our backyard. I don't know why. Every year I always say "I'm not doing this again" and every year, she always wants her party at her house so her friends can all come play at her house. And every year, we start watching the weather 2 weeks beforehand, fretting. Or at least I fret. Any all in all, it was ok. Of course, it downpoured the whole week before so the ground was saturated and it was the coldest it had been in several weeks with temps in the 50's/60's for the party, but it could've been worse. The kids all had a blast and Brooke had the most fun of all, which is all that really matters, right?

We did something a little different this year. We invited her school friends this year with only a couple exceptions. These are the kids she really really knows and plays with every single day and really wanted to have, so that's what we did. When we asked who she wanted to have at her party, she really just started listing off all her classmates, plus a couple outside-school friends. And with schools, the rule is you have to invite all or none. So we went with all. All 19. Yes...19. I was really really hoping 19 didn't show up. There were 25 total kids invited. I really didn't want that many kids at my house, but it was all or none right? Well, I think we did good. Actually about 15 (ish) turned out and it was a very good number. They were all very well behaved kids and were all real familiar to Brooke and really play well with her, so it was a great day!

We started the party with a magic show. It was a Tinkerbell theme party, so the magic went right along with it. Luckily, we have talent in the family. ;) Brad's uncle is a magician, so he agreed to come out on the windy day to do some tricks and made Brooke's day extra special. All the kids REALLY liked it and were all mesmerized by his magic. It was great fun! And Brooke got to be an "assistant" towards the end, in honor of her being the birthday girl. "Who's having a birthday today?" (they all pointed to Brooke...look at her smile!)...Then after the magic show ended, we sang Happy Birthday (twice since we missed the first one on video), and had Tinkerbell cake!And, then, of course, Brooke got to open her huge stash of presents. She got a lot of great stuff and has already had fun with a lot of it!

And there are always certain kids, we hear about more from Brooke. This little boy is one of them. And so I knew she had a certain fondness for him, but until her party (and I got to see their interaction), I didn't realize how smitten she is with him! Wow. I posted the pics where you cannot see his face to protect his identity, but he's a cute little boy who is oh-so-sweet, esp to Brooke. ;)

So, all in all, it was a great party! But I'm kinda glad we don't have to do it again for another year. I am tired!