it all began with Ben and a bbq: Benjamin's Backyard Bug Bash and BBQ

Because of our travel schedule in early August and the weddings later in the month, we had to delay Ben's big birthday party a few weeks beyond his birthdate. It worked out great because we still only had 3 weeks to get our house in order for what we were expecting would be about 35 guests. As we scheduled the party over Labor Day weekend, we expected lots of friends and family to have other plans. There were several last minute yet very welcome additions and we had a great day of celebrating with nearly 60 people!
Rain had stayed out of the forecast until the very last minute (I would have cancelled had the chances been above 60% as our little house just cannot accommodate that many people.) We had a downed power line before the party even began and despite that and several bouts with rain, a Ben awakened an hour early, and a protein snack caught by the dogs (and later released), the party was great fun.
I was very thankful for all the help with Ben as it's hard to entertain that many people and keep track of your kiddo. Friends, aunts and grandparents all were SO helpful in keeping an eye on him.
Activities included a bug hunt in the sandbox, two swimming pools, a small bounce house (thanks to the Lineberrys) and a Grow-a-Bug station that never got used. I also had thought a movie in the basement would be great for kiddos who might need a break and A Bug's Life was a lifesaver when the rain came.

Food included the usual chips/dip/salsa, potato salad from MeeMee, pesto pasta salad from Amy, baked beans, burgers/dogs/brats, veggie crudites from Nana, and ants on a log and grape caterpillars. Special thanks to Tante and Amy for their work on the bug snacks.

Our kabobs were even cuter with 3 different colors of caterpillars

My biggest failure of the day came in the photo taking department. I was just too busy entertaining and enjoying friends who I hadn't seen in awhile and even some who happened to be visiting from Wichita. I was again thankful to Tante for taking control of the camera for a bit.
Although this was also an excuse for a bit of a house-warming, we are hopeful Ben might choose the Zoo or some other venue and smaller guest list in the future. If we do attempt a party of this size at home again, I learned to have someone on Ben duty from the outset, carry my camera with me at all times, and as usual, make a LOT less food :).
In the end I do believe a great time was had by all and although it was stressful, Ryan and I were very thankful to have had the push to get the house into some semblance of order so quickly.