Silly String Battles on Super Collin's Fourth Birthday

Collin requested a super-hero birthday party to celebrate turning four, and I requested a small, casual party since our sand-filled backyard wasn't ready for a lot of children.  His actual birthday fell on a Friday, and we had a play date with some of our sweet friends from church in the morning.  

The next afternoon, we had our cousins, a few family members, and my best friend and her three kids over for pizza, cake and a little super-hero fun.  Nico and Lorenzo came dressed for the occasion. The cousins on the couch - 

Cas with Lorenzo and Uncle Tony with a mask - 

 

When Mackeon, Holden and Esmae arrived, we headed to the backyard to burn a little energy before dinner.  

Then Cas explained the most complicated obstacle course around our backyard.  I'm pretty sure only 7-year-old Mackeon followed all the instructions.

The birthday boy, still in mask, was the first to complete it.  The course began with a climb over a dirt and sand pile courtesy of our work-in-progress backyard.

Then a tricycle ride from the dirt pile to the balance beam - here's Esmae and Holden.  

Next a walk along the beam.  This was Cas' birthday present to Collin, the construction of a low beam in our backyard.  Our cautious Collin and the speedy Mackeon - 

Up the rock wall, down the slide on the playset -

And over to the highlight of the course, getting Batman away from Cas, the villain, with the help of silly string.

Esmae to the rescue -

Holden and Mackeon were expert silly string sprayers -

On the last round, Collin wanted to be the villain, so Mackeon sprayed him -

Then we handed out the extra cans of silly string for the kids' favorite part of the party.  Amber, my mom and my Uncle Dick were covered with silly string - and sometimes they had to help Collin and Esmae press the spray nozzle to then cover themselves!

Grammy's dramatic reactions led her to be the victim of choice -

Our Super Collin with some help from Daddy -

When the silly string ran out, we corralled them inside for pizza and birthday cake.

Mask back on for birthday cake time.  Blowing out his four candles - it is stunning to me that we have a four-year-old!

And using his super-hero abilities to devour his cake without removing his mask -

After dinner, the girls played together - Esmae is so sweet with Maya!

And then checked out some of his new gifts - 

 Amber and her baby -

Some of his favorite gifts are his musical cards . . . which may be now hidden after being played repetitively for two weeks following his birthday.

Even though she couldn't participate in the party activities, sweet Maya was not neglected, getting some love from her Grandpa Brownie -

And Grandma Libia - 

Before leaving, we made everyone take pictures in super-hero gear -

My Uncle Dick with an impressive sign design - 

Uncle Tony, Nico, Collin and Cas - 

Grandma Libia - 

Grammy and Brownie -

Collin talked my parents into staying for one round of Hedbanz, a new birthday present game.  

 

 

Some good-bye giggles -

 And good-bye hugs -

Happy fourth birthday, our super-hero Collin.  Your family loves you to pieces!