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Sunday, March 04, 2007

Pump Up The Volume...

So, today was the birthday party at our local "Pump It Up". A great, *very* kid friendly, place that specializes in birthday parties. The kids have almost 2 hours of supervised craziness, um, I mean, play, in 2 rooms of HUGE, inflatable activity structures. For one set price, the kids get 45 minutes of play in the first play area, then 45 minutes in the second. Then it's on to the party room for pizza (Which was really good), soda, cake, ice cream and the ceremonial *Opening Of The Gifts* with much fan fare. All while the honored guest sits in an inflatable throne. Yeah, I know, kids love this stuff! Grace attended a party here in 2006 and had begged to have one this year. The best part for Mom and Dad? The "assistants" do the set up, food presentation, cake entrance and sing along, gift wrangling (Which includes keeping the list of who gave what presents for our thank you notes!). They also handle the coats, boots (Uh huh, it was snowing again!) and umbrellas and even take all the birthday paraphernalia out to the car for you when the shindig is over! We kept it to 8 of Grace's friends and her little cousin, as well as Grace's Grandma, Brother, Aunt, Uncle and a couple of her friend's parents who had fun with us as well. Oh yeah, even adults can use the inflatables!
Here is the party room... One of several inflatables...
Another...
And still 3 more. The slide proved to be the most popular by far!
This was the birthday girl's first run ...
My nephew with his Mommy! Oh what fun he had!
Boo had the biggest grin on his face the entire time!
Princess Grace with her best friend, The Divine Miss M...
3 wacky ladies...
Now, you try to get 9 second graders to all sit still, smile on cue, look at the camera and, well, you just try it! Go on! I dare you!
This was the best of the 3 I took! They played so hard and got so sweaty and tired! Oh the squealing and screaming! I can only imagine what the decibel level was.
Blowing out the candles...on the Barbie Fairytopia cake. Uh huh, it had loads of pink icing! Notice the earrings on the diva? She is still wearing the ones she used for the play. I think Daddy worries (That is what Daddies do best right?) she looks *too grown up* in them but they are just for fun, cute hearts...AND they are pink.
I mean...how could they NOT be?
Every one of the kids gave Grace craft kits or art supplies!
They really knew her likes! She was thrilled!
After we returned home, Miss M stayed to play with the Diva. The grown ups hung out and did this, that and the other thing until dinner time. At 6, we all went to one of our favorite places for a great Bar B Que meal, per Grace's request. We met our dear buddy, T, there and she had a wonderful gift for Grace. The sweet owners even brought out pink flowered cupcakes for dessert and everyone in the restaurant sang "Happy Birthday" to Miss G.
After dinner, we all came back here and watched "National Treasure". Danny and I had seen it earlier but Bill, T and Mom had not. If you haven't seen it, it is really fun and full of interesting historical tid bits and folk lore. There is some violence, not bloody, just some gun shots, etc. and views of a few skeletons...but as Grace says, "It's just pretend Mommy!" We still have the family party on Monday night to look forward to. It is also my nephew's 4th birthday so there are 2 wonderful reasons to celebrate this week!
Have a sweet Sunday everyone!
Hugs,
Suzie Q

14 comments:

smilnsigh said...

WooT!!!!! I'd say a good time was had by all!!!! Especially by the 'Queen Of The Shin-ding.' And more to come! :-)

Yes, we enjoyed 'National Treasure.' But then again, I always get such a kick out of Nicolas Cage's little bits of humor. I love the way he does those things. And of course, a great actor he is too.

Now if you're really "brave," and can take a lot!!!!, then rent 'Lord Of War.' Yes, yes, yes! I know. HOW CAN I suggest it?!? Because I "go everywhere." >;-) And because he has the most fantastic dark satirical lines in this. Honest!

And his political agenda doesn't even surface, till the very, very end almost credits. :-)

OK, I know I've blown my 'sweetness cover' now. -grin- I'd better slink away into the morning sunlight. Yeah, for once! We have sunshine and no snow! Sorry, but I know you said you have more gently falling snow. Oh well, it HAS to end eventually. {Doesn't it????} ,-)

Mari-Nanci

Susie said...

Hi SusieQ,
My 8 yr old grandson went to a birthday party at Pump it Up yesterday (There were 25 second graders) Figure that sound level!
I guess they must be a nationwide chain? He just LOVED every minute (this was his 3rd party to attend there)
Glad Grace had such a wonderful day, she's adorable!
hugs!!

Valerie said...

holy crap!!! THEY make a gift list of who gave what?! THAT is killer customer service!
if i ever open a place like that here, that's the first thing i would have them do. that rocks.
have a happy, quiet Sunday!

Naturegirl said...

What a wonderful celebration!
~HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRACE!~ hugs NG

Mary L. Briggs said...

Wow--what a fun party!! Grace is beautiful as are all her friends. Glad it was such a great day for all of you. Hope you are having a wonderful, peaceful Sunday. And, National Treasure was a great choice!

Cassandra said...

Wow! I wish we had one of those places out here! What fun! Happy Birthday Grace!!

Dawn Bibbs said...

Oh Pump It Up...gotta love that place. But I will admit, it can become a bit, shall we say...KA-RAZY after a while. Especially if you go to 3 parties there in as many days..back to back! ARGH!!! Oh, and get this...all 3 days with 90% of the same kids. (don't ask!)

But I am so glad that Grace had a good time. The kids DO love that place and they have a blast. And you've just gotta love that the staff takes care of EVERYTHING!!! Great concept...wish I'd thought of it...lol.

Happy birthday again, Grace. And thanks for sharing your day with us.

Jill LaFaye said...

Looks like sooo much fun!..and what a cute name "Pump It Up".
Happy Birthday..Grace!!

Sheila said...

What a wonderful place to have a birthday party! We have similar places like that where we used to hold the kids' birthday parties, and they would have such fun! In a way I miss those days, and in another I don't! But it sure looks like you all had a GREAT time, especially the kids! Happy 9th Birthday to beautiful Grace! Glad you all had a wonderful time!

Melissa said...

Oh my gosh - that looks like so much fun! I'm glad she had a great birthday, and that mom and dad didn't have to put forth too much set up/clean up effort.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Grace!! Looks like you had a wonderful time.
www.mycozyhome.typepad.com

Donna, The Decorated House said...

Now that looks exactly like...FUN, FUN, FUN!!!!! Whooopie

Ms. Grace, you are a fabulous artist! Love your picture.

The Polka Dot Pixie said...

Wow! Pics like that totally make me want to be a kid again! Why can't they make playgrounds like that for grownups!!!! What a blast!

Anonymous said...

looks like fun! To be a kids again :)