We set up for Chimpy's party at Crab Cove, a nearby park. All the barbeque sites but one require reservation so Chimpy and I headed out early to be sure to be the first at the free site. Mama and Jojo headed back home to pack up the food while Chimpy and I set about setting up. Time passed quickly and soon enough our friends joined us.
BUBBLE STATION!We created a ball pit, put up a tent, hung a swing from a tree and brought kites but the biggest hit by far was the beach volleyball court adjacent to our site. Bubble makers, sand toys and a nearby drinking fountain made the sand pit the place to be.
FOOD!On the menu: hot dogs, bratwurst, hamburgers, pesto pasta and fruit salad.
Also... corn!
PIÑATA!While shopping for party goods, we came across the Curious George aisle:
Chimpy: Dad! Let's get the Curious George piñata!
Daddy: Are you going to find it upsetting? You know you have to hit a piñata with a stick. Are you going to find it upsetting to hit Curious George?
Chimpy: Naw, it's okay. (pause) Hm, maybe we should get the dog piñata. Then I can pretend it's Buster.
Buster is our neighbor's dog.
CAKE!Chimpy chose chocolate for her birthday cake so, not being experienced in chocolate cakery, I tried a few recipes. Realizing suddenly that I had five cakes to deal with, I de-seeded some raspberry jam for filling and stacked them. I also made cupcakes because everybody loves cupcakes.
We iced the cake on site with whipped cream, but unfortunately the cake had sat in the sun for a short while and was warm so the whipped cream melted as soon as it was applied.
Still, though... CAKE!
Here's Chimpy blowing our her candle (photos courtesy Dan Ransom). Scroll fast enough and you can pretend you were there.
It was a great day and the best part was at the end when we asked Chimpy what her favorite part of the day was. Despite having a much-anticipated piñata, helium balloons, a huge cake and many presents, Chimpy answered "Playing with all my friends."
