Superhero James turns 4!

What a magical day...

Our handsome little man turns 4 today so we celebrated yesterday with his friends and their families...

The theme has been evolving for months, starting with the initial request for a Ben10 party when chatting with Nanna in the early hours of the morning during the January Coffs holiday, soon changing to a Spiderman theme, and then settling on a broader superhero and fairytales theme (making sure there was something for the girls!).  Hoping it wouldn't turn out like last year where all of the other kids dressed up and James didn't, we had many discussions before buying a spiderman costume... (Unfortunately the special Disney one that Kate has sent from London didn't arrive despite her paying airmail rates).  But, it did happen, and when the party started, despite hours of negotiation, bribery and attempts at corruption, the spiderman suit was still laying on the couch...

Lucy and the other kids dressed up for the party, gradually losing aspects of their costumes as they impacted upon their play!

Lucy with Maddie

But there was a moment where he DID dress up! Laura and gang gave him a 'superhero' costume with a cape and Paula quickly dressed him up before he could be made a fuss of...  And then for the next 150 seconds he was dressed up!

Partner in crime, superhero Austin

And the apprentice Superhero Noah!

Lyla's dad Nath (below with Charlie) won the SuperDad award of the day by arriving on-time, and holding the fort while Kell is enjoying a well deserved break at the Melbourne Garden Show!  He did a ripper job Kell, especially when Charlie pulled the waterplay table onto himself and splashed about like a drowned rat!!

 

 

 

 

There was trouble at Superhero HQ (aka the cubby). Double trouble in fact.  Commanders James and Hugh were taking charge and keeping an eye on things...

 

The presents, oh the presents. What an incredibly overwhelming experience for the little boy with so many fantastic, generous gifts!  He was quite overwhelmed and became a little shy as it just kept on keeping on!

 

Perhaps the funniest moment, and best outfit of the day was when Brad (Chelsea's dad) strided through the backyard in full Buzz get up! The kids and adults alike were so impressed, and even more so that he drank a couple of beers as Buzz before changing into something a little more comfortable!

Matt dazzled in his Batman costume. James wants to be Batman when he grows up now too!!!!

And then it was time for cake.  The original request for a Spiderman cake had me challenged (imagine Spiderman 3D head and shoulders...) but the suggestion of a web with a figurine sounded like a brilliant option!!! And pretty easy too!!!

Batman cooking the barbeque, and then (below) saving a damsel in distress... A real superhero!

More fun and games as the men tried to entertain with balloon animals!

 

 

There were plenty of snakes...

 

But the real fun started when you added water to the mix... No pics of that due to the potential for a damaged camera!!!

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The morning after the party before!

His real birthday is today, so that's when he received our gift.  He loved it!!!  

 

During assembly of the sand digger, we were skyping Sheffield, UK, and talking to Nanna, Grandpa and Katie, giving them a rundown of party the night before.  He was also opening the presents from Nanna and Grandpa including a Buzz lightyear rocket ship remote control car. No photos of that yet as it goes too fast!!! The pressie from Kate and Jacqui (a special one from the Disney UK store) hasn't arrived yet despite being posted weeks ago via airmail... Kate's pretty sure the lady was new to the job so is suspicious that some part of the process was omitted and therefore we think the present is on it's way to Australia via boat... Jacqui skyped in later and was shown the entire range of new toys, games and bits and pieces from the birthday extravanganza.  She also had to 'watch' spiderman with James, managed by James propping the iPad on the couch in the seat next to him facing the TV!  Pretty cute!!!

So anyway, after a long time of instruction reading and bolting together, the digger went out of the factory (the loungeroom construction area!) and onto the site!

 

 

And then hard at work with Dad's supervision!!!!

 

 

 

Morning 'coffee' (milo) time...

 

And then when Nan & Pa arrived late morning what a delightful time he had with their present, this t-ball game!

He's taken to it pretty well, just don't stand too close, he's got a mean swing on him!!!

What a great weekend celebrating our handsome, kind, enthusiastic and energetic little boy's birthday...

And thanks to all of you far and wide who have sent your birthday wishes and love to our super-big 4 year old!