Joshua's first ever party (or his third party in three days)

Well, sweet PB friends, Mr PB and I need to have our heads read. Seriously. I have crawled to the finish line, on my knees and with broken fingernails. The Carnival of Joshie is over. Three parties in three days. What were we thinking? Not hard, enough, obviously! Organising such a caper when one is well is challenging enough, let alone when one has PND. Hmm. At least we have agreed never to allow such craziness to ever occur again. Anyway, the Birthday Boy told us it had been “fantastic” and that “You’re the best Mummy and Daddy in the world!” Aaah. Yes, we’re happy (but exhausted) campers on Planet Baby right now.

So, here are some snaps from Planet Baby’s inaugural ‘party with all the classmates’. Preparations were fevered, frantic and late (I was still making up the party bags 15 minutes after guests started arriving). Thank goodness for my Mum and Mr PB’s Dad – they stepped in at short notice to provide invaluable help. Here’s the birthday boy’s request for a stegosaurus birthday cake. Not my best effort (it reminded me, yet again, that I don’t like butter cream icing!) but at least I decorated this one (last year, I was in the Mother Baby Unit with Sam so Mr PB stepped into the breach). And yes, the eagle-eyed may notice some more 100s and 1000s which joined the others, hiding on the kitchen floor. Hmm. Here’s a closeup of the important detail.

And a long shot.

Here’s some of the loot to go in the party bags (thanks, Emma, for your inspiration for the bags).

And the finished result – blue and green were the party’s theme.

Here are some of the enthusiastic partygoers, eating.

And playing – anyone for an apple bob? Ah, and notice the victor!

Or a donut dangle? Hmm, no hands allowed! India requested (and received) permission to use her hands as she was “too short to reach it”.

And how about ‘Pass the parcel’ (the modified version with everyone getting a prize. We’re still debating whether we should play ‘old-style-with-only-one-winner’ next time. Thoughts, anyone?). Oh, and note the hopeful hands to the right.

Oh, and don’t forget the egg and spoon race! Hmm, Mr PB caused a stir when (contrary to a certain wife’s firm and insistent plea) he added real eggs to the mix instead of the safe plastic versions. Several highly-allergic-to-eggs guests were unable to play as a result. We’ll mark that one down to ‘experience’.

And then none other than Caramello Koala himself made a guest appearance, to the children’s great surprise and excitement!

However (perhaps owing to the fact that a certain father’s shirt was showing at the back as a certain mother hadn’t done up the zip), CK soon found himself in a vulnerable position. Fortunately, his padded belly protected him from the ensuing punches.

Then the adoring crowd gathered tight for the ritual birthday cake-candle-blowing-and-cutting.

And to end, the guests departed after two jam-packed hours of mayhem, here’s the ritual attempt-at-a family-photo-with-everyone-in-it. One day we’ll nail it!