I let Natalie decide what kind of birthday party she wanted this year. She told me she wanted a "band party." "A band party?" I inquired. After more questions I discovered she wanted to pretend that her and her friends were in a marching band/parade. I wasn't sure how I felt about this at first, or how we could pull it off. But in the end I was quite pleased with the results. The kids made their own hats. Matt and I designed them, cut out the patterns. The kids colored them. They turned out rather cute I think. We played lots of music, paraded, danced, and even did a little parachute fun. (I couldn't resist investing in one when I thought of it.) Don't buy one yourself, borrow mine. (It was a little pricey, but I considered it an investiment.) Besides the cost of the parachute, it was a very low budget birthday party. Which I would like to point out to the mothers of Long Island that it really isn't necessary to spend 1000's or even 100's of dollars on your child's birthday party. Some people go so crazy here...renting out party halls, gyms, hiring party people or whatever...I still believe the basics are enough to make a kid happy and entertained. (At least I'm grateful that is the case with my kids.) So here it is. Our Marching Band party.
Natalie leads the parade of musicians.
Parachute fun.
Natalie and friends with hats on. Yes, I loved my own hat too.
Once again, Matt designs and decorates a masterpiece cake...this year a drum. Although I know I didn't have to say what it was. :)
Sporting the band hats. The whole ideas still cracks me up. The idea itself and the fact that she loved it and it was fun for everyone. Simple things.
Natalie beating her drum. Notice the wooden spoons. (Funny side note: Natalie has loved playing with big kitchen utensils- i.e. mixing spoons, spatulas, etc- since she could sit up. She will still occasionally ask to play with the large cup of them on the counter. I like listening in to her giving them personalities, and adventures. Imagination...it's a marvelous thing.) Who needs toys?
I love this picture of the kids, their faces, and the colors of the parachute. I thought it captured a little bit of the magic of childhood.
For our family birthday party, Natalie requested popsicles. (My mom is now thinking..."the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Yes, I love popsicles, in all shapes, sizes, forms and colors. The crunch, the cold...yum.)
Amelia wearing...something interesting to the family party. What a face.
And our 4 year old. We love you Natalie! You make me happy to be alive every day. It's a privilege being your mother.
