Jaiden is 6!

Jaiden had a tough decision this year on what theme she wanted for her birthday party. Because we thought we should go with something that both girls and boys would like (Barbie fairy princesses didn't seem to to be a good plan for the 6-year-old boys! Go figure!), we decided to do either a "Kung Fu Panda" party or a "Wall-E" party.
Well, both movies were a hit with Jaiden (although Sean and I liked Wall-E the best), but we went with Kung Fu Panda, since the decorations and giveaways seemed really fun!
We headed off to the family favorite, Pump it Up, with Panda cupcakes in Kung Fu Panda holders, black and red tablecloths decorated with colorful aikido belts and Kung Fu Panda plates, and cute little pagodas with fortune cookies, candy, chopsticks and other Kung Fu Panda goodies!
Kids and parents alike had a fun time bouncing away, and Jaiden excitedly opened up gifts galore! Fun-FUN!
HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY, J!

Happy #5, J!

My baby girl just turned 5... and we had a fun-tabulous SpongeBob SquarePants birthday party at Pump It Up this past Saturday with family and friends.

All of us -- adults included -- enjoyed the "big slide"... although many ended up with some nice "burns" on exposed knees and elbows. (I guess the kids know the secret to having fun, unscathed!)

After the party, Sean and I took Jaiden to Build-a-Bear, where she created "Ballerina," her fuzzy pink bear who wears Hello Kitty clothes. We even stopped for ice cream on the way home.... we were worn out from all the fun!

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY, JAIDEN!

Kids, Birthday Parties and Pictures

I'm starting to think that every friend of Jaiden's was born in the month of September! To date, we've been to 4 birthday parties this month.... and boy, are we partied out! At any rate, watching kids at birthday parties is hilarious. And watching people trying to take pictures of kids at birthday parties is even funnier. Notice in this photo -- from Harmonie Hill's birthday party at Pump It Up (a little free advertising...) -- that the ONLY child who's looking at the camera is Harmonie! Who knows what the rest of them are doing?!.... that's what's so funny! I love their facial expressions and their lack of interest in the photographer -- me... and several other parents, actually, who were likely diverting the kids' attention!
(BTW: Jaiden is the one on the far left... in the pigtails and stripey pants! And shhh... don't tell, but that IS Big Al in the photo. War Eagle!)