Just in case you wonder what would drive parents to host a lizard birthday party with a dozen 4-year olds, the answer is temporary insanity. The party actually only had a few moments when the boys were out of control and jumping on the couch. The girls, of course, were little angels and paying attention. It was a bit stressful to have such a large group of kidlets with endless energy to be in our house. They were hard to keep track of at all times, since only about half of the parents stayed.
Our little girl was hilarious. She was telling them the what for…
Settle down guys!
You are not listening! Settle down.
I can’t remember all that she was saying, but if you imagine a school marm castigating a group of rowdy children, you would get close to how it was listening to her. It was too funny!
Kailan was interested in the lizards, but not as much as some of the other children. He sat on the couch a safe distance away. Then him and some of his comrades decided it was far more fun to have a smack down on the couch than listening to the lady’s presentation on each lizard, snake and alligator. I was trying to take pictures while trying to get them to pay attention…at least I had help from Anya in getting them to toe the line!
The boa constrictor
The alligator (the only really smelly one!)
Kai and the bearded dragon
Kai and a snake (forgot the variety)
I love Kai’s expression in this one. Of course, Anya’s expression is totally, “Dude, you are insane! Those things are nasty, man.” Need I say she didn’t touch any of them? The lizard lady let the kids touch the boa constrictor, the alligator, the snake above, the bearded dragon and I think a turtle. There were a good dozen reptiles that she brought.
Overall it seemed to have gone well. It was a different party that the norm and it was pretty fun for the kids. It was just a bit stressful trying to get everything in and the kids halfway controlled. It was only a few hours, too, so thankfully it went fast. After everyone left, daddy and I both cracked open a beer. Believe me, we needed it!
You are definitely the coolest mom of the year, though. Especially in the birthday boy’s eyes. I’d be afraid I might find a left behind critter under my couch later.
What a great idea for a birthday party! Hilarious that they didn’t pay attention to her! Very brave Kai there!!!
I think that may be THE BEST idea for a birthday party ever! You win mom of the year, that’s for sure!
Nick would have been all over holding a snake or a lizard, but Drew would have been far, far in the background. I’d have held them, though 🙂
Oh my gosh. That is creepy. What a GREAT mommy you are. I think I would have said “no way…” lol He looks like he’s having a blast!
Thanks ladies…Daddy was the one that found the lizard place though. 🙂 I don’t mind lizards at all, I used to catch snakes and frogs growing up on the farm. I would have touched them, too, but I was too busy taking pictures! 😀
Kai’s face in the last shot is the best! Very cool party idea.
Happy Birthday to that boy–and to y’all as his parents as well!!
What a FUN party idea, definitely memorable 🙂
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Wow that’s an awesome party! Ok, rowdy kids are to be expected but the reptile lady rocked. I especially love the red snake tie. What a great idea. 😀
A.Beer. That’s all?
That is what I was going to say, Jenny. Only one beer?? Wow – you are definitely a braver (much, much braver!) Mommy than me. But it looks like it was all worth it, right? 🙂
Temporary Insanity, Indeed! I love the theme. I used to chase snake through my grandparent’s yard as well. Then I stopped catching garter snakes when I realized they left a fowl odor on my hands! That was shortly after I stopped catching grasshoppers and filling pill jars with them because they spit tobacco at me, ewww!
Suddenly I was no longer a tom-boy.
I’m with Jenny up there…”A” beer, that’s all? I would have had a bottle of wine all to myself.
I love, love Kai’s expression in that last shot. And thanks for pointing out Anya’s ‘you’re insane dude’ look. Priceless with the thumb in mouth.
Thank you all so much!! Oh, he did have a good time with his friends over, but at times it seemed like mass chaos. I probably could have had another beer, but it was only 3:30 in the afternoon. 😉
So cool! And Stacy, what amazing shots,your external flash, yes? You are getting SO GOOD at it!
Right on Anna! Yes, I used my external flash. 🙂 At first when I was taking the pictures I had my 35mm lens and that just wasn’t wide enough. I took most of the pictures with my kit lens at 18mm.
I love the picture with the bearded dragon! I can’t believe you got such great pictures in the midst of all that chaos. We didn’t have any reptiles at Nadia’s party, and still I mamanged to singe her eyelashes and hardly get a decent picture!
Anyway, yes I agree – that is an awesome party and you get Mommy of the Year award!
Yeah … I’d be cracking a beer too !!! I’m impressed that you walked on the edge of insanity to give K. a party he very obviously enjoyed !!
Sounds like birthday heaven!