splish splash bash

Yesterday we celebrated Ben's big 0-4 with a larger gathering of friends and family.  Knowing that we will not be able to have 60+ people at every birthday, (especially as more classmates are included,) we scaled down the list to kiddos close to Ben's age.  This did seem to help Ben be a little less overwhelmed and have specific memories of some of the kiddos who were there. :)
 Early in the Summer, I began the search for a pool to host a pool party and sadly many closed for the season before Ben's birthday.  I discovered the Ben Franklin pool in a nearby suburb and although we could only have the pool to ourselves for two hours, I went ahead and booked it.  For most kiddos Ben's age, two hours of swimming is plenty, and even for Ben, more than 3 would've been too much.  The weather was on the chilly side, but the sun came back for a bit of the evening and thankfully the thunder and rain of recent days stayed away.  The pool featured two water slides, a diving board and kiddie pool with splash park.  We had the whole pool to ourselves and two lifeguards to watch everyone.  They also let Ben don his life-jacket for the diving board and uber-fast slide that dumped into 11 feet of water.   During normal hours, kids have to swim from slides to the edge of the pool on their own without floaties to be allowed to jump/slide.
Daddy and Tante especially, went on and on about how much fun they had and that this had been Ben's best birthday yet.  Thanks to a large snack before, Ben didn't even take a break to eat, until we served Daddy's famous Valrhona chocolate cupcakes.
Big thanks to everyone for coming and helping us Splish, Splash and celebrate.

 

"Ben is four"

 

"Splish-Splash"

Here comes the birthday boy!!

 

beach balls doubled as decorations and favors. ;)

Tante asked what she could do to help a couple months before and surely shuddered when I sent her a picture of this shark.  She executed flawlessly and this fish stole the show!!

sweet Alaina

little fish Grace

Tante and MeeMee

high-flying fun........

Neighbor Joey rocked the diving board

like father, like son

Tante too!

 

It was Peyton's actual birthday so she got a candle and singing, too.

"No Papa, not a bite, the WHOLE thing."