Today was N's birthday party! He had a great time. We had 22 kids here and here is how it went:

1) Liz the Lizard Lady showed up at 12:45. She set up in the backyard.

2) Guests started arriving at 1. The first to come were Tommy and Miles, and they are a handful. I am not surprised that they were the first dropped off.

3) By 1:10, most of the kids were here. Liz assembled everyone in the backyard on the towels we had laid out, and she talked about reptiles. N got to sit up front with her and he was the first to pet the animals when they came out of the cages. She brought out a lizard, a turtle, a fat frog, and an alligator. The kids got to touch all of the animals except the frog. N got to hand things out and show things like an alligator skeleton.

4) All of the kids got a plastic snake.

5) Surprise! All of the kids had to wash their hands at the sink, which made the "keep everyone outside the whole time" more challenging.

6) After the sink assembly line, it was back outside for cupcakes and singing happy birthday to Nate.

7) Then it was time to explain the treasure hunt. A divided everyone into 2 teams and she took the Green Team and M took the Orange Team. Clues were hidden around the backyard, front yard, and down the street. Each team had to collect 12 clues to get to the goody bags at the end. Even though it wasn't a race, the Green Team "won" and then started trash talking the Orange Team, who was not happy. N was on the Orange Team and didn't appreciate the trash talking (tears #1 of the day).

8) Some kids thankfully went home after the treasure hunt (a few parents had stayed around and took their kids home then) and then M&A entertained the kids with Simon Says and Sharks and Minnows. The kids loved it. 

9) Parents arrived on time for the most part (Quinn was the last to go at 3:10) and then it was quiet and poor Lucky could finally come downstairs. 

After the party, M and I went to her softball game, and then we all reunited at the end of season soccer dinner.

Other things N cried abut today: the fact that Daddy and M decorated a snake cupcake for him with a chocolate cupcake (not a vanilla); that he had to take a bath before opening presents, not after, so that we could do it with M&A; and that N couldn't have a sleepover in M&A's room because it's a school night.

Before I post pics, I must say that M&A were INCREDIBLE today and such a huge help. A created amazing clues, which I will post tomorrow, and M made the cupcakes, and they were fantastic with the kids today. Just fantastic. I am so proud of both of them! Best sisters ever!

OK, some pics now and the clues tomorrow.

OK, tomorrow: soccer pics and treasure hunt. Gotta go to bed!