Busy Birthday Weekend

Saturday started off with Chris heading to work to pick up some things that he had forgotten for the party.  I got Bennett dressed and then we headed off to the grocery store for some cake related items.  We got home and started making the cake.  Chris got home just as it was about to go into the oven.  I put them in the oven, instructed Chris to check on them and take them out when ready, and then headed out to get balloons.  (Yay for hi-float which allows latex balloons to last about a week or so.)

When I got back, Bennett and Chris were on the couch watching Thomas.

Next on the agenda was grocery shopping- both for party food and food for the week.  (Yes, I know I had just gone to the store a few hours earlier, but that was just a quick trip to a close store for a few essentials and this was to a store slightly further away but that we like better.)

On the way home we stopped at the church's yard sale and picked up a game and a book.

Then it was time for lunch and nap.  Chris and I worked on a few party related tasks during nap, which was shorter than we would have liked.

Because nap was short there was a bit of time for playing before we headed out for our evening activity. 

Me: Bennett, please go to the front hall and put your shoes on.
Bennett: Noooo.
M: We're going to go to Sturbridge.
B: Yay! Sturbridge! (As he ran to the front hall.)

Yup, you read that right.  We were off to Sturbridge.  They were having a Harvest Party.  They were firing the kiln, firing barrels, the blacksmith, tinsmith and potters were working, there was a barn dance, fresh mulled cider, musicians, and lots more.  Bennett really liked watching one of the bands and stayed still for quite a while.  He also wanted to know where all the animals were, but by that point we couldn't find any of the regulars to ask.

He fell asleep in the car on the way home and went straight to bed.

On Sunday he woke up to a surprise visitor.  Grandpa had spent the night with us!  Grandpa also took Bennett for a few hours so that we could get the house decorated for the party.  This was helpful as we didn't have to be keeping an eye on Bennett and answering all his questions, but we also wanted to surprise him with all the decorations.  He wasn't quite as excited as we thought he would be, but after lunch and nap he seemed to like the decorations a bit more.  Before nap we were able to get one last monthly photo.

And here are a few pictures of opening presents from us as well as some other people who weren't able to make it to the party.

It's a Texas Longhorn which we're pretending is an oxen.  The horns look like those of Lance and Henry, but the coloring is more similar to Doc and Blue.

Someone likes his oxen!

Zingo Bingo, or as Bennett would say, "Mingo Mingo"

 Stay tuned for all of the party pictures!