Batman Birthday Party

This was the first year that I decided to have Justin party on his actual birthday.  This was also the first year that he counted down every day until his birthday.  We have a perpetual calendar in the kitchen that Justin changes every morning.  So for months we have been counting down to August 31st.  So glad that back in February when I booked Noah's Ark for the 3rd consecutive year that I choose his birthing day.

This is also the first year I decide to let him choose the theme.  And Batman was the choice from the start.  Such freedom when I decided to throw out the cutesy stuff out the window and make the entire party as simple as could be.  Especially since none of the family could make the Tuesday afternoon shindig.

Come and soar with us - Justin is now 4!

Justin was all geared up with Batman attire.  Even the sunglasses were Batman. 








































It was hard to find Batman decor without the nasty Joker.  Justin came over and told me to fold over the panel on the far left to cover up the joker that I did not realize was on the banner.  I thanked him and appreciated his equal dislike of the evil villain.



























I bought Batman wristbands for us Michaelis'.  All the kids wanted to know where I got them.  Unfortunately it was not part of their favor.

Justin got to pick the menu.  He wanted fruit (strawberries, blueberries, and grapes to be exact) and peanut butter and jelly.  After debating for a few minutes on making my own sandwiches and cutting them out with a bat cookie cutter, Derek wisely advised me to buy Uncrustables.

He also went to the store with me and picked out the chips and yogurt tubes.  I wanted him to be completely involved in choosing what everyone ate.  It is his party, after all.

I said I wasn't going to feed the mommies, but last minute threw some of Georgia's tuna and chicken salads on some Hawaiian rolls. 

Batman plates

And batman cookies from delicious Memorial Bakery.  I don't ever think I will do cake again when cookies are this cheap, mess free, and yummy.

Justin was really into (and still is) bandaids.  We stumbled unto a box of Batman bandaids only to find that Spiderman had taken over on the Mattel logo.  So after refusing to buy $4 boxes of bandaids for favors, Justin and I thought Batman toothbrushes was a good second choice.  Every dental hygienist should host a party and hand out toothbrushes - it only makes sense.

Justin had a blast once again.

The big kids were entertained the entire time as well.

Justin getting some Brown and Wilson love.  This crew, along with some others, wrestled in the water for a good half hour.  Everyone had to show off how much testosterone they had.

These mommies were able to make the party for the first time this year.

It was fun to have new friends from school come this year.  I guess every year will be like this from here on out.

And the 18 month-old-ish group was the funniest of the day.  Most of these youngest of the family had not been to Noah's Ark all summer, if not since Justin's last party.  You can see why this is the perfect place to bring this age group - these kiddos were animals.  They played hard and were big risk takers. 

The annual who-was-at-the-party photo.  Some of the kids didn't want in, and this year I didn't make them.  I only took 4 shots.

And by the 4th shot birthday boy was already done.

Everyone heard the dinner yell to come on in for a little happy birthday song.

Justin with his proud parents

I love this shy smile from my brand new four-year old.  Thanks to Mariana for not only taking these photos but for capturing my chompers in the top right of the photo.

The big blow

And then the cookies started disappearing.  The problem was the food of sustenance was at the far end of the table, so most kids just ate 3 cookies and no PB&J's, thus why my freezer has a lot of back-up lunches ready to be made.

The cookies were a hit

Justin kept asking if that could be his dinner.  I told him that on his birthday he can do whatever he wants.

Funny side story.  Alex was able to come with Karen to the party.  And everyone thought he was Derek's brother ONLY because of his height.  Some of the girls wanted me to take their photo together.  I think Alex is one of the few people that make Derek look short.

Everyone was rallied at the end for their toothbrushes.  Aunt Shani made sure every single kid got their own toothbrush.  Because we don't share germs with toothbrushes around here.

Then we headed home for Justin to open his 3 gifts from mommy and daddy.

His favorite was monster truck Mater

We love the junior scrabble game

And Derek insisted that every boy have a basketball hoop on the back of their door.

The display of cards he received - note to self that he enjoyed the cards as much as the gifts.  Especially if they make noise!

And truly my favorite part of the whole party was the gifts.  I have said in previous posts that Justin truly has a heart for kids that don't have anything.  We had talked it up for awhile that he give all his gifts from his friends to Star of Hope, a Christian homeless shelter.  So thankfully everyone from the party brought a gift to donate.  The gifts stayed at our house for about a week, and then I finally figured out which location to donate to.  Justin brought his entire penny bank and some bandaids in a ziploc baggy to donate as well.  On our way there we passed a homeless church having a service.  It was a great learning lesson as to why these people didn't have a home, much less a building, to worship in a church setting.  Nothing made my heart swell then my son telling the SOH worker why he wanted these kids to have these toys.  Because this is what it's all about - being Jesus to others and giving it all away. 

To my boy, who wants to give every person walking on the street some food because he thinks they don't have a home, who asks if every person we meet loves Jesus, who says that the devil wants him to be scared of monsters but he knows the Lord is stronger, who loves it when his mommy sings him a good hymn, happy happy birthday.  May the Lord help me to foster those characteristics more than any other in my tender hearted son.