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