After most everyone had finished their lunch, though, we rolled out the slip n slide. I guess you could consider that an organized activity, because everyone focused on it at once (though kids also played with the other water stations during slip n slide time too). None of the kids had done it before, so John was a brave soul and demo'd how to run and slide down on your tummy! Even then, it took the kids several times to figure out how to go down. Evan never really figured out how to run and go on his tummy, but he did figure who to run and slide on his knees (which he then did over and over and over). The other kids went down on their tummy after John helped give them a push. Emma didn't want to try sliding on it, but she did get brave enough to walk down it and through the sprinkler water spray. Luckily her water shoes helped keep her from slipping and falling on it. Several of the kids had some accidental slips on it if they tried walking on it. It certainly is not a risk-free activity! After the kids had several turns, some of the adults partook as well, including me! :O
As the kids started to get more tired from all the fun play in the hot sun, it was time for cake and presents before guests needed to start going home. Everyone sang to Evan, who sat tongue (moving) in cheek (a little uncomfortable in the lime light perhaps?) until it was his time to make a wish and blow out the candle, which he did with complete command of the task. Afterward, John kept re-lightning the candle and let each kid blow it out (at this age, that is one of their favorite things to do after all!). While we were having cake, the ice cream truck drove through our neighborhood. What an appropriate thing to hear on a hot and sunny afternoon!
We decided to go ahead and let Evan open presents during his party too, just out on the deck so all the wet bodies didn't have to come sit inside. Evan got a lot of neat gifts: new books, toys, and games. He has since played with all of his new items, and we've read his new books too. At the time of the party, the stomp rocket is what caught his attention, so he wanted to immediately play with it! I got some amazing action shots while he was jumping on it!
Ready....set...
...jump!!! (Wow, he can get high!)
Evan took a great nap after his party and then woke up and wanted to ride his new bike outside. At first he wanted his training wheels on it still, but when he realized he couldn't round corners like he could on his strider bike, he wanted them off. He did a great job and amazingly was riding all by himself in no time flat! I took some video of him riding and he just kept going and going and going. I admit that I got teary watching him balance and correct his balance as he rode along. It's really quite an accomplishment...a milestone in each child's life really. From those first steps to the first ride on his big boy bike....my boy is growing up!
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