Celebrating Seven

About three weeks ago, in the middle of my busiest time at work and while my parents were still in Maine, Fin decided she wanted to have a birthday party... at their home with her friends from their church. The logical thing to do would be to say, "not this year". What I did was call my parents who enthusiastically endorsed the idea and then printed up some invitations at Walgreens the next day.

We headed out on Friday to my parents' home. Nancy kindly agreed to go with us to lend us another pair of hands and some SuperWoman muscle. Saturday was spent hanging out, shopping, and getting things ready for the party on Sunday. Everything was themed for dragons and Vikings, Fin's choice due to her current obsession with How to Train Your Dragon.

Fin and Nancy test out the "dragon feet".


After opening her many presents at home, she had to instruct Dad fully on the intricacies of Battle Force Five.


Dragon cookie manufacturing center. Nancy rolled and cut; Fin affixed chocolate chip eyes and sprinkled with lime green sugar.


Dad takes care of Rusty-adoring duties while Mom and Em play dominoes.


Fin thought it should be Rusty's party, too, complete with cat food cake.


The party was held at my parents' church after services. We were thrilled to also celebrate the church getting an amazing pastor (and the pastor getting an amazing church).

Fin insisted that a good party required a "FEAST!"


Some of the kids chowing down.


The kids had NO problems with the dragon feet and cruised easily on walkways, rough ground, linoleum. We nixed the stairs, though.


We had two craft projects. One was a make-your-own Viking helmet the kids really got into.


We also had scratch-off ships for kids to make Viking ship decorations. Our good friend, Winnie, showed us how it was done. Winnie was an art teacher. That's right, we had nothing but the best for this party.


Another essential element of a good party, according to Fin, was a dragon pinata. A couple of years ago, our friend, Elizabeth, had a pinata at her party and I think Fin has found it a missing element of her celebrations since.


Luckily we arranged the kids by height because the tallest kid was also a killer shot and busted that dragon into candy rain.


One little girl was there in almost the same dress as Fin. How funny, out of 9 kids. Really, Tea Collection, call us! Our kids will model for free merchandise!


The dragon bean-bag toss doubled as a photo op. Some were happier to be devoured by the dragon...


than others.


We wrapped up with a HTTYD cake and a very tired birthday girl who napped for two hours on the way home.


Tomorrow, on her actual birthday, we will have a quieter day with school cupcakes and a trip to the owl movie tomorrow night.

We had such a great time. I think it was everything she dreamed of for her first, real birthday party. Thanks to Mom and Dad for doing the food shopping and communications, to Nancy for her untiring work including getting the whole meal organized and on the table, and to MPC for hosting us and celebrating with us. It was wonderful!