What a wonderful party! What a fantastic turnout! I can’t believe how blessed we were with a beautiful cool evening and a backyard full of friends. If you asked me two months ago what Walker’s birthday party would be like, I don’t think I could have anticipated this night.
Picture this: Newburgh, Indiana, September 14th, 2007-The Selbys’ backyard has a giant castle bounce house combo with both a jumper and slide and over 50 people to celebrate Walker’s fifth birthday. There are more than 30 children from the age of one to about nine running around, climbing in and out of the bounce house and climbing on the play structure. Parents are meeting and chatting and everyone is having a great time.
I spent quite a bit of time orchestrating the party and didn’t get to chat as much as I would have liked (what else is new?) but now that the evening is over, I have a really warm feeling in my heart. Walker had a FANTASTIC time! He was surrounded by so many new friends from school, church and our neighborhood.
The piñata experience was definitely a nail-biter! Trying to keep 30 kids from killing themselves over the potential falling candy was stressful but everyone survived. (Note the first picture of Walker taking a swing and the last piñata picture where the kids are diving for the candy.) Opening presents was also tricky. You can picture the scene–Walker is opening a present, the card is going flying, a friend is vying to hand another gift to Walker at the same time another friend is begging to open the package of the last gift. It was heaven! 🙂
Where did you find 50 friends so fast? I’m afraid if we had a party right now it would be a stretch to find 5 people to invite. I have been kind of in a cocoon. I have a really hard time meeting new people. Looks like fun! Tell me your social secrets.
Holy cow! What a shin dig!
There is no question in my mind that you guys ended up exactly where you were supposed to. I’m glad that you are surrounded by so many new friends, but you haven’t forgotten us old ones(literally).
Thanks for posting this. It gave me such a great feeling to remember the experience.
Our visit with you was such a special one. While I’m still longing to have you guys closer, I can’t find any faults with your new digs.
My heart just went “pitty-pat” as I recalled that evening, as well as Walker’s actual birthday.
I’m so glad that we planned to be there for the great number-five-event.
How well Papa and I remember the impending tragedy with the bounce house. The vision of that one wall that was slumped down created the fear that the mansion had sprung a leak. What to do with only 30 minutes to “show-time”!!!
What a relief to discover that Mason had pulled the plug that powered one of the motors. Suz and Papa saved the day. The BBQ blocked the recepticle. A good time was had by all.
Thank you Mrs. Bailey for your advise about the Indiana relocation. Papa and I started planning our first trip in January of 2007.
Plans for the next one are already in motion. See you soon, but not soon enough.
Love, GrammaYammaJamma