The Birthday Parties (Takes 3 & 4)

While I was praying to the porcelain gods (see Update below), Mike and Mikie drove to Providence for birthday party #3. Mikie had a good time playing with his cousins, ate plenty of "birthday brownie", and got a lot of nice gifts. Here are some pictures:

Mikie blows out the candles on his "birthday brownie".

Arcangelo entertains everyone with his party "hat".

Mikie enjoys opening his gifts.

Fast forward another week to the 20th and birthday party #4. After three parties, we had determined that Mikie likes brownies, not cake, unless it's ice cream cake, and even then, only if it's all chocolate. Feeling somewhat guilty that I missed birthday party #3, I spent two evenings making a custom chocolate/chocolate ice cream cake. And, not to pat myself on the back, but it came out pretty good. The party was nice and laid back. . . well, as laid back as a party with 7 kids under the age of 5 can be. Mike grilled hotdogs and hamburgers for everyone, and made macaroni and cheese for those of us that have a temporary aversion to meat. The weather was beautiful, and the kids had a good time playing on the swingset and playing baseball. Here are some of the pictures from party #4:

Mikie's custom ice cream cake.

Blowing out the candles before the cake melts.

Everyone enjoying the swingset.

All the kids help open the presents.

And so we managed to survive the month of parties. Thanks to everyone who came to celebrate and make Mikie's birthday special.

Love, The Trahans