Happy Belated 7th Birthday Jack

We recently had Jack's seventh birthday party. Wait, isn't Jack's birthday in December? Why yes it is, but this year December was a little crazy for us. After realising that our shipment from London was to arrive on Jack's actual birthday, December 7th, we decided it was best to postpone Jack's friend birthday party until the New Year. We still had a little family party for him on the actual day among the unpacking of boxes. Jack was really mature about this decision, and we even joked that in the midst of moving we lost his birthday in one of the boxes and that we would 'unpack' it in January. Funny to a seven-year-old, and his Mom! :)

So on a cold (and snowy) January Saturday we had five little boys and two little girls over for pizza and games. Will, Reese, Josiah, Owen, Andrew, Aubrey, and Ella along with Theo, Addie, and Eliot made for a great party. I made a whole bunch of personalised-sized pizza crust the night before (think budget!) and then let the kids decorate them at the party. Charles was a true game genius and had the kids occupied playing games the rest of the time. Jack was really keen to play the game Empire, which were taught to play in our first adult small group in Cambridge. He loves this game and  playing it on family holidays when we have the extended family near. We weren't sure how this game would go over with a bunch of near seven-year-olds. We tried to manage Jack's expectations in case it was a flop and we needed to move on. Let's just say it wasn't. That game was for sure the hit of the party. They asked to play it again and again. They did need some help (i.e. the list of people to be read again in the middle of the game!) but all in all they were very good at it. In fact, I have heard from one family that they spent all day Sunday playing a version of the game in their immediate family.

It was a great birthday party. I was particularly grateful for the help of one of my college girlfriends, Christina whose son Reese was invited to the party. She offered to come help with the pizza part and was very helpful. It was fun to see us at our kid's birthday party. Who would have ever dreamt that we would be here 15 years after meeting. :)

Overall, though the best part for me was to see Jack with new friends. We did really well while we lived at my parents' house. I think, however, that there was a part of me that was kind of sad because Jack did lots of stuff by himself without a lot of other playmates (of course, he always has his sidekick Theo around). This was a big change from the hoards of kids at Oak Hill. So to see him sitting around the table with a new group of friends was really special for me. Slowly we are settling in here, and this party was significant to me in that process.

Happy 7th Birthday Jack! You are such a joy to us.

Ella and Jack playing Empire

 The crew

Owen and Reese

Will and Josiah

Ready to make our pizzas:

Christina helping with pizzas

Erin assisting Aubrey and Josiah with their pizza

The Anderson men making pizza

Ella, Will, and Andrew

Pizzas now cooked...

The Cake

The Life of the Party