Belated birthday bash

Aidan's birthday party was this past Saturday, almost six weeks after his actual birthday. He wanted an outdoor laser tag party but the facility did not open for the season until last weekend, so he choose to wait.

Good choice. Saturday was a gorgeous day, sunny and warm. The four boys and three girls arrived at Big Don's Wild River ready for fun. And, yes, there were girls at Aidan's party; I made sure that he invited girls who would also enjoy laser tag and not mind playing with the boys - and he did. The girls were just as loud, cunning, ruthless and active as the boys.

Their guide got them outfitted and ready to play in no time:

Here is Aidan taking aim at his quarry:

They had a great time, and James and I had fun watching them. They played hard, ate lots of pizza, drank lots of water and ate cupcakes. Aidan adored his presents but even more, adored having his friends join him for an afternoon of fun:

All in a day's work

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day was April 25 but since New York state testing took place last week, James' employer, MacKenzie-Childs, delayed their event to yesterday, May 2. The national theme was "Work in Progress", sponsored by the National Association of State Foresters, and M-C planned a full day of fun for the children and/or grandchildren of employees. Aidan was very excited to participate and was one of 31 children there.

James dropped him off at the main building where the morning's activities included painting flower pots and making a plaster wall decoration:

Aidan decorated it with baubles used by the M-C artisans in some of their items. They had snacks, and visited with the resident Highland cattle and some of the farm's birds. Aidan is now on a first-name basis with the "boss cow" Molly, who leads the herd, Bruce the bull, and a goose named Simon. He also saw a peacock, who Aidan said is a widower. James then picked him up and took him to his workplace where he had an activity planned. James had Aidan locate items and record the country of origin and content. Aidan said it was like a scavenger hunt with freight! He also picked out my Mother's Day present. Hmmm...

There was face and body (!) painting, and lunch with James and the other children/parents. After the adults went back to work, the afternoon was filled with painting a mug, visiting with sheep, making and eating ice cream and then dancing around a maypole. Aidan admitted that he may have "accidentally" tied up a child or two while twirling around the maypole.

He brought home the plaster cast and a small serviceberry tree; the flower pots and mug are being fired and will be available for James to pick up later. Aidan was dirty, spotted with paint, and exhausted, and chatted happily about the activities and the new friends he made.

M-C provided a lovely day at the farm for the children, but I suspect that Aidan will never believe James again when he says that he had a hard day at work!