Kate's Birthday Party at Amy's Playground

On Sunday, we celebrated Kate's quadrennial with her friends at an indoor playground in South Pasadena. It wouldn't be a birthday without Nana, who flew in from Tucson for the occasion. The big bouncy house and slide. If it were up to Kate, she'd have one of these in her room. As Kate's guests started to arrive, it was time to bounce. And bounce, and bounce. Kate's best preschool buddy, Maya.

Weeeee! Cautious Kate thought it was safer to slide down flat on her back.

Jessica, Bella, Maya, Cece, and Kate all held hands to make sliding down a little less scary.

Who needs a bouncy house?

Isa, Lucy, and Kate laugh as Chris and Hilary throw balls at them.

Parachute time!

Everyone under!

Kate dashing across to the other side after her color was called.

The birthday girl got to sit in the middle and enjoy some waves.

Everyone joined in. And the parachute turned into a slow-moving carousel. The kids loved this part.

Josh and Isla.

Time to make a wish! The blowouts were a big hit.

"Happy Birthday, dear Kaaaaate..."

When I told her to make a wish, she said, "But I don't want anything." "No?" "No." "What about wishing for a good birthday?" Kate nodded, "Yes!"

Connor (the boy in red) helped Kate blow out her candles...

...but Kate didn't like that very much.

A video, in case the stills just aren't enough: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkZh_DGKY8s

Joy, Kate, Abbey, and Lucy.

Kate giving a lift to her oldest and dearest buddy, Lucy.

After the party, Lucy and her Moms came over for an impromptu BBQ and some sprinkler fun.

I had Kate and Lucy work for their burgers by scrubbing down the playhouse.

Lucy really wanted Kate to open her present...

....Cranium Hullabaloo! Or as Kate calls it, "Kalamazoo!" Thank you, Amy D., Hilary, and Lucy!

After Kate opened the rest of her presents, she developed a case of gift-fatigue.

The next day, we received the greatest news from my OB -- Kate is going to have a Baby Sister in October! Kate was so thrilled she couldn't wait to go to school to tell everyone (in a past life, Kate was definitely the town crier). For the past several months she'd been asking Chris and me for a Baby Sister and finally got her wish.

What a birthday weekend!