Jane has always loved her birthday, so it came as no surprise when she started talking about her party master plan several months ago.

“Mom, this year, I’ve decided I want to have a poor party.”

“What’s a ‘poor party,’ honey?”

“Well, instead of presents, I want my friends to bring food for the poor, and then we’ll go around and deliver it to them.”

Yeah.  I cried.  That was SO not how I dreamed of my birthday party at six years old!  My little kindergartener didn’t want presents; she wanted to use her special day to bless others.  Between the hormones of pregnancy and all of the sweetness, I just couldn’t handle it!

We talked about how we could put her plan into action and have a little fun with her classmates at the same time.  We decided we’d have a Friday evening pizza and cake party at the local indoor playground for Jane’s kindergarten class and their families.  Instead of presents, we’d ask everyone to bring a donation for the food pantry to leave at the door.  After pizza and cake, the parents could visit while the kids ran amok and burned off the sugar!

Jane was also very, very concerned that everyone got a special treat bag.  She selected pink baggies with purple stickers that she signed.  Since she has a birthday so close to Valentine’s Day, it’s easy to find her favorite candies with pink and purple wrappers.  As a final touch, she got an assortment of holy cards of favorite saints/prayers from the Catholic bookstore in town, and she stuck one in each bag.

Walt was very happy to help with this project!

I’m slowly learning how to not be a perfectionist and let the kids do their own thing when they can.  I’m very proud of Jane and Walt for doing this project together!

We arrived early at the indoor playground to set up the party room.  The boys were happy to entertain themselves while we set things out.

The guests started arriving with all of their food donations and handmade cards for Jane.  Is there anything more adorable than a handmade card from a kindergartener?!  So sweet!  Jane can’t wait to drop off the donations from her classmates at the food pantry.

First, the food:

Cheers!

Then, a magical moment:  Mrs. C., Jane’s kindergarten teacher, entered the party scene!  Oh my word, the shrieking and hugs from the little kindergarten girls!  What an amazing woman to come on a FRIDAY NIGHT (at the end of a busy Catholic Schools Week, no less) to her student’s birthday party!  We love you, Mrs. C.!

Jane and Mrs. C.

The cake and blowing out the candle with Harry’s help

Play time!

The playground has a carpeted indoor track (notice all of the “ONE WAY” signs?) for the kids to burn off steam around the play structure with wagons, trikes, and cozy coupes.

Harry did not struggle to keep up with the big kids

The kids gave high fives to the dads when they circled the bend

Harry *so* desperately wanted to be a part of the big kid action inside the play structure, but the employees kept telling him he was too little.  Poor buddy!  It didn’t stop him from sneaking in a few times, though.

Jane with her classmates (and a few siblings!)

Jane’s class (and a few siblings) with Mrs. C.

We probably had 25-30 kids and a dozen adults at the party.  Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time and went home WORN OUT!

On the ride home, Jane declared, “This was the BEST BIRTHDAY PARTY EVER!”  Music to this mama’s ears.  Mission accomplished!  Love you, Jane Louise!