The Birthday - Part 2

This year, Bradyn decided that she wanted to have a Hotel Transylvania birthday party at home.  What might that involve you may wonder?  A few 'scary' decorations (have you tried to find Halloween decorations in February?) and renting the movie for 9 kids to watch.  We actually had a lot of fun.  I was up bright and early Saturday morning to make the special bone treats - straight pretzels with mini marshmallows on the ends, dipped in melted white chocolate.  Yum!  (sorry - haven't figured out how to rotate the photos yet)  We also had vampire smiles (red apple slices with mini marshmallows for teeth and almond sliver fangs), but somehow I didn't manage to get a picture of those.

We then headed off to gymnastics, picked up the birthday cake and rushed home at 11:00 to do the last-minute preparations.  As Bradyn's friends arrived at the stroke of noon, they saw the 'marquee' on our front door, indicating the movie time.

 

As they entered, our very excited birthday girl gave each child a ticket to the show - often before they could get their coat and shoes off.  They were told that they had to keep their tickets in a 'safe place' and not lose them, or they wouldn't be allowed to go into the theatre. (I was actually quite entertained by the fuss everyone made over keeping track of their tickets)

While the girls enjoyed a leisurely lunch of pizza, veggies and treats.....

The boys gobbled their food down and were off to play with the playmobil and super-hero figures, while admiring (and desperately wanting to play with) Bradyn's lego creations in the library / play room.

At last, it was time for the feature presentation.  We moved Bradyn's ticket booth into the stairway, and she took everyone's tickets so they could enter Reeves Theatre.

I was relieved that there were no arguments about who was going to sit where, and all of the children seemed to really like the show, even though some had already seen it.  No movie would be complete without popcorn being served and I was thrilled where there were only about a dozen pieces on the floor to be cleaned up afterwards.

After a few games ("Pin the Wing on the Bat" and "Pass the present"), everyone was very anxious to have cake and get to the presents.  Bradyn chose a cupcake 'cake' called Scary Night to go with our theme.

The neat thing I noticed this year when Bradyn opened her gifts was that she was actually reading her cards - because she can now!  LOL  Thank you again to everyone that spoiled our little Miss B.

Happy Birthday Bradyn!

On her actual birthday morning, Bradyn was very anxious to open more presents (and really, what kid wouldn't be?).  We agreed on just one, and saved the rest for that evening.

I've already gushed about our fun birthday dinner at Pizza Hut, but I think this photo is adorable.  Even after her dinner arrived, Bradyn insisted on finishing her homework before diving into the pizza.  I swear - I was telling her to eat and forget about the homework (for a change).

Mmmm yummy, greasy cheese pizza. 
 

B was totally hamming it up for Mamarazzi, and I was eager to indulge her on this rare opportunity.  She'd make a face, I'd take a picture, she'd beg "Let me see it mom", we'd have a great laugh (full, light up your face belly laughs), and she'd say "Take one like this".  This is her angry face....

And her scared face.

I think this was definitely my favourite birthday yet.