Kids' Birthday Party

Saturday February 7, 2009---The kids had their birthday party at Regina's Performing Arts Center in New Albany http://www.performing-arts-center.com/ This is where Anna Catherine had been taking cheer and gymnastics before she broke her arm and we moved to Madison. We were so sad to leave the PAC. The kids flipped and flopped, climbed and swung, laughed and played. There was a small turnout for the party this year but I think that was good thing. The party was very laid back, which was wonderful. Thank you to all of our friends and family who came out to celebrate with us. Thank you also to Mrs. Regina and Jala for allowing us to have it at the PAC and for having a perfect set-up for birthday parties. Sorry some of the pictures are so dark. I was having technical difficulties that day. I have 150-175 pictures from that day (and still have to get copies of the ones Whitney took with her camera) so this is only a sampling of all the fun we had that day!

We opted for cupcakes this year. We were also limited to 30 minutes for cake/gift time so it was just easier to have a finger food. Anna Catherine chose orange and blue cupcakes (her school colors) with no characters/designs on them. Jackson wanted dinosaur cupcakes (for the third year in a row!). Chloe didn't voice her opinion. She loves Mickey Mouse so I went to a party supply store and bought Mickey Mouse inserts for her cupcakes, dinos for Jack's, and orange and blue paper goods. Of course I left the bag sitting on the counter, only realizing this on the way to the party!! So, we made a quick dash into Wal-Mart and were able to find dinos and some plates and napkins that would be an okay substitute. I asked the lady in the bakery if they had anything Mickey Mouse and she told me "No. We only have cartoon characters." (Last time I checked, Mickey is a cartoon.) So I asked for Curious George, another of Chloe's favorites. The lady's response once again, "We only have cartoon characters." What planet does this woman live on?!? George is a cartoon character! I had to settle on Dora. Chloe likes Dora a lot but I was really hoping for one of the previously mentioned items. Chloe didn't care. She loved them.

The icing stained their mouths...ooops!

PRESENT TIME!!!

The Performing Arts Center is also an operator of the Tumblebus. AC participated on the Tumblebus while at preschool, as did Jackson before we moved. It is a full sized school bus converted into a mobile gymnasium containing bars, a beam, vault, trampoline, rings, monkey bars, zip line, and mountain wall. The kids went out to the Tumblebus for the remainder of the party. (The Tumblebus is a nation-wide chain. There may be one near you.)

guess who was hungry and tired!!



After the party Grandmother, Ben, the Bergerons, and the Jacksons (minus Chip) joined us for lunch at McAllister's. We ate lunch on the patio, enjoying the beautiful spring-like day and avoiding crazy teenage drivers flying through the parking lot. Speaking of crazy teenage drivers, Morgan W. was also having lunch at McAllister's that say. I just LOVE her. She is one of South Pontotoc's finest and brightest, a dear friend to Nicole, a frequent tailgater with The Dixie Clique, and a remarkable young lady. (Pictures of Morgan W. can be found on my blog about the South Pontotoc Beauty Pageant).

We then went to the River Park so the kids could run out even more energy. It's a nice little park with lots of shade and decent equipment for the kids to play on. There were also a lot, and by a lot I mean A LOT of pregnant ladies at the park smoking.

***Warning: I am climbing on my soapbox...Have they ever heard of the Surgeon General's warnings? Don't they know that smoking while pregnant can cause miscarriage, stillborn, birth defects, low birth weight, respiratory problems, ADD/ADHD, and many, many more problems. Don't they know that infants and children exposed to second hand smoke have a higher risk of SIDS, asthma, and allergies? Are they honest with their OB/GYN? Do they even care? Obviously not!! Okay, I'm jumping off my soapbox now...***

The kids had fun and so did the adults. It's so nice to catch up with friends you only get to see a few times a year. Carrie took a bazillion pictures, which I ordered (but have not scanned into my computer yet). Thanks Carrie!! You are a very talented photographer.

I just LOVE Molly's smile and laugh!!




Rick on the "Sway Fun":