So I started thinking about my childhood and what made my birthdays so special. I know I never once had a party like Ethan's last 4 parties but what made it fun was the surprise. I always knew who was coming and when it was going to be. I also got to pick out my meal and type of cake. However... the surprise was when my dad or someone would keep me busy for the afternoon and then return me to a house covered in streamers and balloons. THAT WAS IT!!! No party favors, no matching plates, no themes and rarely a party hat. So what was so great about it? Yes there was my favorite food, my favorite cake and gifts but all the rest didn't matter. I was with my family! As I pondered these things and how spoiled my son was when it came to birthdays, I began planning his sixth birthday party.
I wanted surprise, I wanted small and I definitely wanted family. I always had my parents, siblings, grandparents and 1 or 2 friends. But Ethan's party was going to be devoid of siblings and grandparents, and Camp Staff have always been our surrogate family, so now I was facing a dilemma. We ended up having a destination party and we invited one family to go with us. The whole day was a surprise to Ethan. First we drove 2 hours to a children's museum and let the kids play for a couple hours. Then we went to an awesome park with their razor scooters and ordered Pizza Hut pizza and a Cold Stone Creamery cake. It was so great! I haven't been so relaxed at a birthday party in so many years! I didn't have to cook and I didn't have to clean. The only thing Ethan says he would have changed is that he wished he hadn't lost his watch at Arby's. And in the end we ended up with family, surprise and small. What a blessing!
His Soccer Cake
Blue Tounges
Ethan and His good buddy Claire
Ethan's first and very own pocket knife from Dad
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