The makings of a way too much fun 27th birthday

A gigantic, multi-colored blow-up water slide. Coordinated by the team and erected in Doug’s backyard completely unbeknownst to me, which resulted in projectile beverage spitting when I walked out onto the patio and saw that beautiful monstrosity. No one knew quite how to respond when the company asked what time the kids would be done playing (it was, in fact, the first time the slide ever spent the night anywhere). That small children are allowed on it at all is a bit disturbing. The pictures don’t quite convey the 87 degree drop, the velocity gathered when sliding, nor the amount of wind knocked out of you when you land in the innocently named "splash pool". While the party was 2 months ago now, a bashed toe and a knee sprain are still impeding slide-goers' dance moves. A whole new definition of “birthday bash…”

Birthday hats, two heart-shaped waffle makers, and a red race car card. You know people know you well when multiple people get you the same gift. Cheers, Mer and Leanne, for fulfilling my wildest waffle dreams. Phil - you're so Brazilian.

Animal masks! What party is complete without them? Here, Danny and Halle embrace the 7-year old theme. Pretty convincingly, I might add.

The largest game of Thumper I’ve ever played. Or the hand-clap-hand-clap-knee-slap-knee-slap-animal-motion /noise game, for those of you that didn’t grow up calling it by the same name Kay and Mitch and I did while playing it in the way back of Gram and Gramp Smith’s station wagon. Inspired by the tall one, with a whopping 17 people, plus or minus, enthusiastically wheezing their best wildebeest calls.
Birthday kisses. More, please ;-)