The party

Boy, what a day. Phew! Alex had his first real kids birthday party today. Sure we had celebrated his birthday before. Last year was a lonely dismal effort since we were new to the country and knew one no one, but previously we had had relaxed and lovely get togethers with family only. It was usually a sumptuous luncheon put on by my parents. Alex would have fun enjoying the company of all who loved him, but he wasn't really old enough to understand that he was the reason for the good table cloth to be thrust from it natural habitat - in hibernation somewhere in the back of Mum's linen cupboard.
But over the past year Alex had been invited to a number of parties and had cottoned on somewhat to the whole idea, and requested a party for this year.
I have previously written about this moment and the anguish it had caused, me... the social phobe- but I must say....I do believe I might have pulled it off. I survived and I am thinking it may actually have been a success - as stunned as I am to admit it - we had a social occasion and I didn't suck at it!!!!
So now, the details....
It was very difficult to take photos while flitting here and there, so I apologize for these less than enthralling tributes, but you get the general idea.
The party had a train theme, hence the home made banner shown in first snap. I ordered 20 blue and yellow coloured helium balloons (Thomas colured) and scattered them around the living room as a surprise to Alex in the morning. Each kid took one home at the end and the guests enjoyed playing with them - and popping them (sigh).
We had Alex's train table set up in the living room so the kids could play with it while we waited for all the guests to turn up, that was a good idea and kept them entertained long enough. After that we had a game - so easy to set up and fun for the kids. "Treasure Island" Ashley called it.
We simply stuck pictures on envelopes. Gave one envelope to each kid and asked them to find the same picture that was shown on the envelope, somewhere out in the garden (obviously each child had a different picture). When they found their matching envelope, they also found an engineers hat and train whistle. They were so excited to find their "surprises" - and the train whistles weren't that noisy. It took the kids outside and they then played on the playset, kicked balls around and blew bubbles at the bubble table I had set up. We had drinks and snacks out there until lunch.
Lunch was easy; sausage rolls, home made pizza fingers, chips, veggie dip, fruit, donuts, biscuits and brownies, and salad baguettes for the parents. The kids weren't really interested in eating, they were busy having lots of fun. It was difficult to draw them way form their playtime so we let them play a bit longer than planned.
After lunch we played another game. It was an adaptation of pass the parcel, which apparently is a uniquely Australian game. We called it Deliver the Cargo. We totally hammed it up, decorated the first layer of paper like an actual parcel, brown paper, address and real stamps (if only real postage was only 10 cents). There was a note from Sir Topham Hatt, (from the Thomas the Tank Engine show) asking all engines to help deliver the cargo, let the package go around the track (circle of kids), the music will stop at the correct address, pull off one layer of paper to deliver the cargo - signed Sir Topham Hatt! It was a bit above the kids. They were SO excited to know what was in the parcel, and when or if they would get a turn at. Some were getting upset with the thought that they might just miss out and otehrs didn't understand that the game continued even though they had had their turn, but we got there in the end. Each unwrapping of a layer of paper revealed a small wind up toy - each one was different . Alex went last and got his wind up toy and another note from Sir Topham Hatt- Thanking everyone for their help in delivering the cargo - "You have all been really useful engines (of course) accept this as a token of my appreciation". Alex then unwrapped the last layer to reveal a packet of choccie frogs which were handed out to everyone. Everyone was stoked at their prize and were interested to see each others prizes and how they worked when they wound them up.
Then we had a pinata, which saw the excitement reach fever pitch. With each kid armed with a bag they pounced on the ton or so of lollies that fell from the pinata once it had broken. After that the parents had a laugh watching some of the more determined kids belting the absolute begeebers out of the seemingly empty pinata laying on the ground, making ensure no lollies remained inside - their efforts proved fruitful.
Lastly we had the predictable cake and sing song, present opening, goody bag distribution and farewells. Once all the guests had dispersed we were left with a great pile of debris to clear away before we could collapse into a heap.
Alex had a great time, and you know what - we did too.