Ravenscroft Ruckus: Jack and Lincoln's Birthday Carnival

Today was Jack and Lincoln's birthday carnival. Julie and I decided to have the boys' birthday party together this year in order to try and cut down on all the May birthday parties we normally host and attend. We tried to get Stacy to have Bowen's with us as well...you know a THIRD birthday party for THREE boys with a THREE Ring Circus theme but it ended up just being two thirds of our trio.

We had different games and activities set up around the yard for the kids to play. Kids could toss a football through a hula hoop, knock down bowling pins using a ball swinging from their head, play in a ball pit, try hopscotch, toss balls into buckets, pick suckers from a lollipop tree, get their faces painted and enjoy balloon swords, hats, wands and wings in a magical cloud of bubbles. We had goody bags filled with cotton candy and glow in the dark bracelets and cupcakes and juice for the kids to eat. Our goal was to just have kids enjoy playing with one another in a carnival type atmosphere.

It was supposed to rain during the day, but we got lucky and the rain held off until the very end of the party. We couldn't have asked for better day. There was plenty of things for the kids to do. Julie had a game, Pin Heads, where the kids wore a knee high on their head. Inside the knee high was a tennis ball. The kids had to knock down bowling pins with the ball by moving their heads around.

Looking out to the Pin Heads game

Jackson playing Pin Heads

My friend Lori lent us her ball pit for the occasion. All the kids had a great time playing with and in it. Jack of course used the ball ramp as a track to run trains on while Graham sat and played in the bottom pool of balls. All the kids enjoyed tossing balls into the top to watch them roll down the ramp and throwing all the balls out of the bottom. It was great for the babies and the bigger kids.

Kids playing in the ball pit

We set up a hopscotch board for the kids but it didn't work too well in the grass. It kept coming apart. But CJ knew just what to do with the numbers.

CJ playing his own version of hopscotch

I have to say though the hit of the party was definitely Angie and the face paintings she did. When I first visioned the face painting I was thinking someone could paint a star or a smiley face or a cloud on the kids' cheeks. When Angie asked if she could do it and then told me she'd bought a kit, I had no idea just how great she really was. All the kids loved her and she did such a great job. All she did was look in a book and free hand it on the kids' faces. She totally rocked.

Angie painting faces

Peyton

Lincoln as Spider Man

Charlotte and her butterfly

We had the boys sit on the hill while we sang Happy Birthday to them. Jack had his candle out before we were done singing and Lincoln took a couple tries to get his. Julie and I passed out cupcakes then opened presents with the boys.

The birthday boys with their cupcakes

Jack~so excited about his
Gail Gibbons "Trains" book

Lincoln opening his presents...
...see the Lollipop Tree in the background?

We are so thankful for all of our friends and family that helped to make this day a special one for the boys. Without them our lives wouldn't be as rich and full as they are.

My mom and Graham