When we first asked Nathaniel where he would like to go on his special day we were given a rather cryptic answer. Something about a roof and lights and toys always followed by "Remember dat!?". Unfortunately we did not - at first. Then after we discussed it realized he could be talking about a place like Chuck E. Cheese. We were not sure if this was in fact the location of choice but arrived 3 kids in tow to the other mouse's house. Chasing the kids around such a place is like being in a freshly shaken snow globe and trying to follow a specific plastic snow flake. Kids and games were every where and they were all moving and making noise. Nathaniel (and Ben) loved every minute of it.
On the following Saturday we had the big Superman birthday party which was another snow globe experience but with slightly fewer snow flakes. Adults, children and toys were scattered across the entire house. They were laughing, crawling, running and playing. In an effort to focus the children's energies we constructed some games in the Superman theme for the special day. There was a Superman "leap in through tall building windows with a single bound" bean bag toss and a Superman "the Tender Man of Tissue Paper" pinata.
Before we ate the cake Janice gave Nathaniel and all the children party hats to wear. After strapping on the hat Nathaniel noticed that none of the adults were given party hats. He quickly began passing out the hats to every bare head in the house and not until every hat was in place did he sit down to his cake to blow out the candles.
Janice makes really cool cakes!
Once the party was over and we could see the carpet again we had our family birthday. Grandma and Grandpa Battdorff , Uncle Jay , Aunt Sarah and baby Caleb were all on hand to celebrate. Apparently someone asked Superman to attend as well. Understanding the need for thematic consistency he came in through the window to replicate the bean bag game. Coincidentally Janice had just started loudly playing the Superman Returns movie sound track. Superman proceeded down the stair case head held high with confidence in is stride. Nathaniel nearly burst with excitement. He could not stop smiling. He kept repeating "Thank you Superman " over and over again. As a parent you really live for the moments when you have by plan or by luck inspired your child to absolute joy. This was one of those moments and Daddy really did feel like Superman.
It was a wonderful birthday. Thank you to everyone who made it such a great event. Nathaniel was so happy that so many people could be with him on his birthday.
Every Superman needs a stunningly beautiful Lois Lane!
