Jack's Party

Confession: I didn't plan on having a birthday party for Jack.  I didn't even really want to have a birthday party for Jack.  Ben was about to go out of town, I had my Mom's visit and a bridal shower to prepare for, and a move just a few weeks away.  But I made him this huge cake (out of necessity, really) and I didn't want it to go to waste.  Our family wouldn't have even been able to eat a quarter of it.  So.... time to call in reinforcements.  I mean, um, party guests.  I called up my cousins a couple of days prior to the big day and they were miraculously all available.  So we had the makings of a party!  We all met up at a local family fun park, which most of us have passes to, and we let the kids play for a little while.  Then we came back to our house for pizza and cake.  Of course, it ended up being a very fun evening, and the birthday boy was thrilled to have cousins to celebrate with him.

I love how they're all smiles until...

the showdown!

Jack and Eliza reiterated their obvious preference for watching a video game rather than actually playing with something.
Remember the bowling alley?

Ready for dessert!

Singing to the birthday boy.

Jack and I had been planning this Thomas cake, per his request, for about a week.
It seemed to be a hit with the other boys too!

Opening Jack's presents ended up being a group effort.
He didn't seem to mind, though.

Jack's wooden truck sets from Mema and Papa were definitely his favorite gift of the night.
They beat out a t-ball set, a large cardboard Mater, and even candy.

So this is what he was doing for the rest of the evening.

While the other kids went outside and played in the backyard, even trying out the new T-ball set.

Jack was so into playing with these trucks that it was a challenge to get him to go to bed.  Here, Cat was all ready for bed and decided to come join Jack playing after everyone left.  Jack hasn't put his trucks down long enough to put on his pajamas!

It really was a fun night, and we are so glad our cousins could come celebrate with us!  We planned the party for Friday night, two days before Jack's actual birthday, since Ben had to leave early Saturday morning for a 2-week trip to the South Pacific.  We were glad we could include Daddy in the fun and that the party was such a success.  Yeah for a last minute party with people we love!