Abracadabra

I'm woefully behind in blogging, but have just been too tired to sit down and write lately. I'm doing ok for the most part, but it's just been a long week.

I had Wednesday to rest (and visit with Mom and Dad), but then I had to get to work on preparing for Gabe's party today, and getting some presents for Scott, whose birthday was Thursday. I think it's all catching up with me now, because I am completely exhausted at the moment, and will make this as brief as possible. 

Gabe had his first ever party with friends today (all his previous birthday parties, aside from the first, which was a big bash but which he obviously doesn't remember, have been just with the grandparents), so I wanted to make it a really special event for him. I pondered a few different options, but ended up deciding to hire a magician and have the party at the house. 

I found a great idea online for the invitations, and did an ok job executing it, I think - 

All the party details were written on the rabbit, so you had to pull him out of the hat to see them : ) 

I had a great time decorating yesterday and this morning. Instead of streamers, I strung playing cards on silver ribbon. I think it looked pretty cool, and it was complemented by a bunch of big silver stars and lots more silver curly ribbon dangling everywhere. The centerpiece, of course, was a stuffed bunny peeking out of a hat. 

I made cupcakes with black frosting, so that they looked kind of like top hats, and I was going to put bunny-shaped sugar cookies on top, but like I said, it's been a long week, and I thought I was entitled to a shortcut, so I just put bunny-shaped Peeps on top instead. Only problem is that the bunny Peeps only come in pastel colors, so the cupcakes ended up looking more Easter-like than magical, but I don't think any of the kids cared. A cupcake is a cupcake, after all....

Anyway, I thought it all came together pretty nicely, and was very magical-looking, and Gabe commented several times on how much he loved all the decorations, so I guess they were up to par : )  

I looked for plastic top hats at the party store, but bowler hats were the closest I got. I don't think the kids noticed the discrepancy : )  I also took a big risk and got some wooden dowels for them to use as magic wands. Giving a roomful of toddlers and preschoolers a bunch of wooden sticks is probably not the smartest idea, but surprisingly, there were only a few hitting incidents. They decorated their hats and wands with glitter glue and stickers while the magician set up, and then got settled in for the magic show. 

It took them a few minutes to get into it and sit down and really pay attention, but once they did, they all seemed to really enjoy it. There was a lot of giggling and oohs and aaahs, and it was very cute to watch. He got all the kids involved in 'helping' him do tricks, and did a really nice job of making Gabe feel extra special, too, which was nice. At one point he commented on what a great job Gabe was doing, and Gabe said "I know I am. That's because I'm the birthday boy!"  

The poor magician, though - several times during the show, Gabe yelled out "Are we done yet?" I knew why he was asking - he wanted to get done with the show so that he could open his presents. And about 15 minutes before the show was done, Gabe said again "Are we done yet?," and the magician asked him if he'd rather play games, and Gabe said "No, I'd rather open my presents."  

He did really love the magic show, though, and I think all the kids had fun. Gabe got a special birthday card and his very own magic kit, which I'm actually really looking forward to opening up and playing with tomorrow. 

 

Dante was convinced that the magician was actually Granddad. He did look an awful lot like Granddad, so I can see why he was confused and kept going over to him calling him Granddad. But I thought that once Granddad arrived, it would become clear to Dante that Granddad was Granddad, and the magician was a different person. But as we ate dinner after the party, Dante asked me "Why were there two Granddads here today?"  

After the show, the kids played pin the tail on the bunny, then Gabe FINALLY got to open his presents. I have never seen a child as frantically excited as he is about opening gifts. He gets completely manic. I tried my best to slow him down just a tad, but it wasn't easy. 

Then we moved on to cupcakes and ice cream, and I realized after everyone had left that we never sang Happy Birthday. But, given that this was the fourth time he's celebrated this birthday, I really don't think it's a big deal. He didn't notice, so I"m not going to lose any sleep over it! 

It was a fun day. I'm exhausted, but it was worth it. I wanted him to have a special day, and I'm fairly certain I achieved that goal. 

And as fun as it was to plan and throw this party, I am really glad that we have no special occasions coming up anytime soon. I'm partied out. 

Comments

[Julie]

I'm so sorry for your loss... I didn't know you were going through this. I've been so hooked into facebook that I'm just now getting back into reading blogs. I have read back through your messages and seen all that you've been through. Please know that I'm thinking about you and sending good thoughts your way.

[J-mom]

You did a great job with the party!!

[Wes]

Four birthdays is enough to ask of anybody! Get some rest!!