Tai turns 2

Since I uploaded the birthday video, I thought I'd post a link to the pictures from Tai's party.   Most of you are on facebook, so you've probably seen them, but just in case:

https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=257510&id=557418530&saved

Since Tai's birthday is in the middle of winter, we are hesitant to have a big party at our house.  After all, our house can only tolerate a crowd of people when we have the yard available to spread into.  Otherwise, it gets a little crowded.  After much deliberating, we decided to have the party at SICSA, which is the local animal shelter.  Who would have thought they offer parties, right?  But they do, and the majority of the cost is tax deductible since they are a non-profit organization!  Plus, the kids LOVED the dogs and cats.  It was pretty much amazing.  Even better, Tai got to share his birthday party with his good friend Stephen, who is born just a couple of weeks before him.  The two of them are so cute together!

We are not sure what we will do next year.  As previously mentioned, the party was wonderful, but I found myself missing the atmosphere of our parties at home.  The idea of the kids being entertained every second while the adults just stand around is hard for me to get used to.  My kind of kids' birthday party involves the adults hanging out eating and drinking while the kids run around and entertain themselves.  Is this wrong?  I understand kids Maia's age having kids parties, because they are usually dropped off and then entertained by the parents, but for Tai's age when there is no dropping off possible, I think I prefer an atmosphere where the adults can have fun too!  A family celebration, if you will!  Of course, this is me talking in March.  Come see me in January when I have to think about cleaning the house and preparing for all the guests.  I'll probably be singing a different tune then!