Birthday Party Boy

We'd hatched the idea that, now in spring, an outside party at Fitzgerald Park could be fun for a crowd of 8-year olds. The party had to be, we're not long before leaving, and this school has been one of the better things to happen to The Bean ever! Such wonderful friends, such a vibe, such folk-like-us in the school, it's easy to talk in there, without much pre-amble to explain ourselves.

So, to the party. I walked up to the park from school, in fine, almost sunny weather - 5 children, the others in other people's cars, on the way to meet up there. LMM on the way with The Pumpkin and the cake, to the cafe, where we'd start with pizza, toasted sandwiches and drinks, as arranged. Oh well, as he arrived, it seemed a complete surprise.

Twas a great party. The Bean had painted an alien, without eyes, so we could play Pin the Eye on the Alien. Pass the Parcel had rocket balloons in it, which were hanging in trees the next morning still. At one point, all the big kids went running, shouting, "Alex, your brother's rocket went the highest, did ye see it, he's the champion!!!" They especially loved the Great Fitzgerald Park Quiz, their first treasure hunt, with 11 questions I'd put together for them on sheets. They ran like mad, in pairs, had a great time! We've now seen more poetic, interesting spellings for belly: bellea, belleay.

The cake this year had to be alien/space/explorer-related, so 'twas an alien spaceship, bright yellow frosting, red pods on top, foil antenna (note to self: post photo!), and got eaten up! There was also a truly delicious cake which he chose from a patisserie in Montaigue the day of his actual birthday: caramelised pear with pear mousse. The boy got style, he do.