It took a while to figure out just the right birthday party for three-year-old Sammy. He’s equal parts active and thoughtful. He likes to be celebrated by his loved ones, but he gets a little overwhelmed and introverted in crowds. He really wants to be outside, but his birthday is in the beginning of November. I finally came up with three ideas and gave him the options – 1) a party at the gym at the community center, 2) party at a bouncy house place or 3) a hike in the woods looking for bugs. He didn’t have to think about it – he wanted to hike in the woods and look for bugs. He was very specific about which friends to invite. He also wanted a blue cake on a blue plate to be eaten in a blue house.
So I signed us up for a Ladybug Walk with Portland Parks and Rec. They provided a very knowledgeable naturalist and ladybug backpacks complete with magnifying glasses and we provided seven very excited Walkers. We also provided seven parents and three grandparents to celebrate along with him.
Holes were dug, slugs were observed, centipedes and millipedes were held, worms were discovered, birds were listened to and puddles were stomped in. In short, Sam loved every single minute of it.
They really did have fun – you just can’t tell from this picture.
We came home for a lunch party at the house. We ordered food from Sammy’s favorite restaurant – Chipotle. I found a bakery to make a blue cake with blueberry filling, which we served to him on a blue plate. (I didn’t repaint the house blue – but Sammy didn’t seem to mind.) Sammy enjoyed the party with his trademark quiet observation, but with his contented smile on his face. We invited mostly family with a few close friends – all of Sammy’s nearest and dearest. Even with a “small party” of just a few families, well, it’s about 18 people. Our families are growing!
We finished his birthday on his actual day of birth, November 4th, which happened to be a Tuesday. There was a small celebration at school (where Sammy broke a glass candle holder) and a small evening party. We had another cake (not blue – but chocolate), homemade pizza and Grandma and Grandpa. He took it all in stride, has played with his new toys, read his new books, worn his new clothes and every few days will ask me “is it going to be my birthday again?” Oh my sweet boy, next year it will be. I promise, we’ll make it the best one yet.