Happy (belated) birthday to Adelaida!

When our kids are all grown up, I want them to look back at their childhoods and remember their birthday celebrations fondly. They have plenty of toys to play with and way more clothes than they need, so birthday gifts are not likely to be remembered long-term. Instead, I want them to do something special for their birthdays that will provide fond memories for years to come.

For Adelaida's previous birthdays, we took her to the children's museum in Indiana and to Explora, Albuquerque's children's museum. This year, she loves to play and is having more fun playing with friends, so we decided to take her to ABQ Playroom, an indoor play area filled with toys: a climbing set with slide, dress-up clothes, video games, puppets, a grocery store with carts, and so much more. Adelaida's birthday was at the end of December, and with the holidays in December and finishing my dissertation manuscript in January, we decided to wait until the beginning of February to have the party -- and then all three girls were sick that week, so we postponed it until the end of March. The party was yesterday, and I guess we were really celebrating Adelaida's 3.26 year birthday!

So yesterday afternoon I picked up the kids at school early and headed over to ABQ Playroom, where Dale met us. We invited three of Adelaida's friends to join us and the adults sat around and talked while the kids enjoyed playing together (or rather near each other, as three-year-olds play "together").

The kids had a blast! I tried to take pictures as much as possible, and here are some of my favorite pictures from the party.

Ann riding a big unicorn

Emmalene found a huge pile of money!

Adelaida enjoyed sliding down the slide on her belly

Go Adelaida!

Shreya on the slide

Ann preparing to slide down the slide

Estella found some fun blocks to play with


The twins loved the party because there were so many adults to hold them! Here, Varsha is holding Cordelia


Emmalene found the library

Cordelia LOVES to be thrown up in the air!


One of the other kids at ABQ Playroom put on a puppet show for Estella. She really enjoyed it!


Estella and Cordelia discovered a giant piano mat (or rather, I discovered it and put both girls on the piano). They quickly learned that putting their hands on the mat made music, providing the adults with nice background music while we talked.

Cordelia made it to her belly and rolled into Estella, who immediately grabbed at Cordelia's face. Both girls were still smiling! I love that my girls can crawl all over each other!


Shreya


Ann


Meme, Varsha, and Nathan standing around talking while Adelaida pushed the shopping cart


Ann and Emmalene feed their babies at the table


Adelaida and Shreya build with legos


Emmalene


Eventually the adults sat down -- Meme, Nathan, Dale, and Varsha


Shreya, Ann, and Adelaida read a book


We had a great time and Adelaida has been talking about her birthday party all day today. I think we created a fun memory for her! Happy belated birthday to my special big girl!