Finally, a successful birthday party!

Me, my mom, C, and A

C had no idea that we were going to dress like clowns.

I was worried that he would be embarrassed,

but he told us to go ahead and keep our costumes on.
C's 9th birthday was a circus/carnival theme.

We had two carnival games:

Pin the Nose on the Clown

Knock Down the Cans

(Aren't the cans cute?)

As the boys played the games,

we gave them party favors to put into plastic peanut boxes.

As always, C requested a "cookie cake".

Every year I try to talk him into a real cake, but he won't have it.

But the best part of the party, by far, was the balloons!

This is Marie.

We met Marie at IHOP, where she was making balloon shapes

for the customers while they were waiting for their food.

C loved watching her create things.

I kept her business card in a safe place for months

because C wanted her at his party.

We were fortunate that she was available.

The boys loved her!

Well, mostly they loved the swords, light sabers, and space guns she made for them.

If you need someone to do balloons for your party,

email her at francesmarieknight@yahoo.com.
She is very friendly and has quite a list of balloon shapes she can make.

The party was exhausting, but this is the first of my son's parties

that has gone as planned.

It was loud, as always,

but the boys had a great time!