Happy 5th Birthday Izzy!

Although Izzy had her birthday party on Sunday, her actual 5th birthday was on Monday, and for that reason I had allowed her to invite three friends over for tea. She was over-excited by it, and I felt like I was doing penance.

Izzy's dad and I met up at lunchtime on the Monday to commence preparations. We had decided to buy her a large trampoline for her main present, and erect it so that it was there to surprise her when she got home. We had also decided to do some proper 'retro' party food.... you know, the type that you had at parties when you were a kid.

Preparations complete, Steve went off to collect Izzy and her friends from school whilst I added the finishing touches to the food. Then they arrived back. I knew when they arrived back because I heard them. I heard them screaming inside the car long before they got anywhere near the house. Gulp. I braced myself.

The car doors opened and four pint-sized weapons of mass destruction were unleashed. Immediately, one of Izzy's friends spied the trampoline though a gap in the fence; "look Izzy!" she shouted, "you've got a new trampoline!" It spoiled the element of surprise somewhat.

I opened the garden gate to let them in. My aim was to keep them in garden for the duration - damage limitation you see. At full pelt they charged through the gate and scattered, a bit like they had been shot from a cannon. Izzy in particular made a beeline for her new trampoline, screaming excitedly. Cool, that was worth the effort then.

For the first half hour, all four of them explored the house, pulled all the toys out for closer examination and jumped on all the beds, before eventually converging on the trampoline. And that's when the real carnage started. Four kids all jumping on each others heads, gettting their limbs tangled and accidentally elbowing each other.

For safety's sake, we decided to limit it to two people on the trampoline at one time, and thankfully things seemed to get a little more controlled. 

Pic.No.1. Izzy's new trampoline complete with birthday banner

Pic.No.2. Izzy and friend practice levitating

So an hour had passed. Everyone was still in one piece, my house had a bit of structural damage, but I could sort that out later. It was time for food.

Pic.No.3. Proper retro party food served in the garden. 

As I mentioned earlier, I had decided to do retro party food, and without further ado I served up a hedgehog made from pineapple and cheese on cocktail sticks, party sausages on cocktail sticks, hoola hoops (they didn't like them because I accidentally bought salt and vinegar flavour so they were too stingy), and pizza slices.

Pic.No.4 This, in case you were wondering, is an impression of a vampire

Pic.No.4 Izzy's friend shows her appreciation of the food

 Pic.No.5. Awww, they all look so natural in front of the camera

Once food was over, they all had another hour of playing together. Steve and I had decided to let them play 'Musical Statues', and it all went swimmingly until we noticed that none of them liked losing, which compromised the integrity of the game somewhat.

So instead of having tears everytime the music stopped and someone was spotted moving, we had to let them all win and dish out four prizes. Now to me, that takes all the glory out of winning, but they didn't seem to mind.

Finally it was hometime, and parents arrived in dribs and drabs to pick up their children, staying for a chat whilst they were there, which was rather nice I have to say.

All in all it was a great little party. Izzy's friends were lovely girls, and Izzy had a great time which is what really matters. Me? I just set about resconstructing my house.