One final party for the birthday boy.
For Payton's friends, we decided to head to Monkey Joe's - an indoor area full of inflatable jump castles - a kids paradise (except for a few kids who would have nothing to do with the castles)!
We arrived to find a seat fit for a king!
24 plates and cups ready to go!
24 treat bags for the birthday crew
24 pairs of shoes...for 24 kids who were busy running, jumping, playing and sweating!
In lieu of gifts, we asked Payton's friends to support Water Missions International and the Walk for Water - we raised over $200! Pretty good for a 3 year old! Thank you to all of those who supported us!
Shhhh! Owen's trying to nap!
Payton and Daddy hit the slide first! Classic faces!
Owen woke up ready to party!
He jumped right into the big boy chair too!
The only thing Payton requested on his cake - a basketball goal - thanks Publix!
After playing, running, jumping and sweating it was time for cake!
Payton and all of his friends!
Baby Alex....who isn't really a baby anymore, but I think I'll always call her baby Alex!
Lots of kids enjoying cake, icing and sugary drinks!
Laura and Charlie
A room full of FUN!
A special visit from Monkey Joe - thankfully, this was brief, not all of Payton's friends were too excited to see him!
But Payton sure was!
A present from Monkey Joe!
Owen and Charlie - who will be having their own birthday parties soon enough!
One last trip down the slide for the birthday boy!
That was a lot of fun Mom!
Grandma and Grandpa with the birthday boy before heading back to NC.
Monkey Joe's was a hit. As luck would have it, the day of the party was a nasty rainy day. On the way to the party, I commented to Chad that I was so happy we didn't have it at the local playground, or our house, due to the rain. At the same exact moment, it hit me that Monkey Joe's was going to be crowded. Crowded is an understatement. For the first 15 - 20 minutes, I was very disappointed. Each area had long lines and I was having to search all over as Payton's friends were arriving. I was very upset with our choice. Then - I relaxed - and looked around to see all of Payton's friends running and playing - most of them laughing and smiling and really enjoying their time at Monkey Joe's. They each did what they wanted - in and out of the jump castles - and while it wasn't exactly what I pictured - it worked. Payton had a BLAST. He was so excited to see all of his friends and Monkey Joe. They did a great job with a large group. We will definitely be back - on a very sunny afternoon, so we can enjoy the space while everyone else is outside! We are so blessed to have such a large group of friends, with young kids, here in Mt. Pleasant and a great group of kids in Payton's class at school. It was a lot of fun to see all of them come together to celebrate Payton's birthday.
Birthday parties and celebrations will always be a big deal to me - I love birthday's and I love celebrating birthday's - something I'm thankful my Nannie Evelyn passed on to me - so, while we had a long weekend, with lots of activities and lots of hustle and bustle - in my opinion, it could not have been any better! I'm just so sad it is over!
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