While we typically have the kids' birthday parties and family dinners on separate days, we decided to have Shelby's party and dinner on the same day this year, which I'm not entirely certain was the best plan, but it certainly could have gone worse.
Shelby's birthday party was this morning and, up until near the end, went largely (and unusually) smooth. I attribute this to the fact that the kids were "locked in a room" for nearly half the time playing laser tag. I think the best thing about the party was the turnout. Historically we've inexplicably had turnout issues at Shelby's parties, so I was glad to see an above capacity crowd. I think Shelby had loads of fun. Not that she has any trouble having fun in general.
We did have some technical snafus parentally. Most of them mine. While I got plenty of plates, flatware, cups, napkins, and candles at the store this morning (at 6:30am), I didn't get enough juice or order enough pizza (maybe). I had to leave the party briefly to acquire more juice for thirsty kids. And while all the kids got pizza, not all the parents did, so one more pie would have been just right I think. My biggest blunder of the day was a time management problem, related to my misinterpretation of the room instructions I was given. I thought we had the party room until 1pm, but that was when the next party was due in the room. So, when our hosts told us we had five minutes left and Shelby hadn't yet opened presents, well, I knew the smoothness had left the building. That was definitely the fastest present opening session we've ever pulled off, and also the most rude evacuation of parents from a party room in which I've ever had to partake.
The family dinner actually had lower than expected turnout. At first because some folks went to the wrong place (we went to the same restaurant chain as Darby's dinner in January, but a different location, and I may not have been completely clear on this in my invitation), and then because some others that had previously committed couldn't make it. But, minus a cake-forgetting issue early on, things were otherwise smooth. I was annoyed at myself for poor memory card management, as I ran out of space on the two cards I had with me, and my other cards were out in the car, but I couldn't exactly go get them as it happened as Shelby was opening gifts, which I didn't want miss. Subsequently I don't have nearly as many photos as I typically would. A few photos should make it to the photo album some time this week.
Shelby made out like a bandit, literally. I mean, not only did she get plenty of goods, but she got more than a hundred bucks in cash, AND a fifty dollar gift card. I'm pretty sure I didn't get anywhere near that much cash for birthday and Christmas combined when I was her age.
And now for my most embarrassing moment of the day... a daring, running leap to rescue a balloon from perceived ceiling fan peril. Pretty much everyone laughed at me. Thank goodness no one was filming.
You'll have to cut me some slack. It was a VERY long day. More than twelve hours elapsed from when I got up until both of Shelby's bithday events were concluded.
Update, 10 Sep
Finally got some photos uploaded to the album.
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