Rowan's 4th Birthday Party

Rowan does not officially turn 4 until tomorrow but we had her birthday party this past Saturday. For the first time she asked for a party with friends so we arranged to have one for her at Pump It Up in Chalfont. It is a giant inflatable place with two separate jump rooms and then a room for pizza and cake. We really could not have asked for a better place to have a party - it was private for just our group in each of the rooms and ran nice and smooth with great attention and focus from the staff there.

We also asked that people do a little something different for Rowan's birthday party - she has so much stuff and toys and was going to be getting presents from family that on her invitation we asked for "Presence Only Please" - and asked that if people wanted to give a gift to please make a donation to Alex's Lemonade Stand. I then emailed Alex's Lemonade Stand to let them know that if they started to get donations in Rowan's name that was why - I was more than thrilled to have them tell me that if her name was included in the donation they would send Rowan a note to let her know! We actually got a card from them on Friday so we were able to reinforce the concept to Rowan about there being no presents for her. At her party some people did bring presents and others just brought cards noting that a donation had been made - I was so proud of Rowan for agreeing to the whole thing and am grateful to all who made a donation and/or gave Rowan a little something too.

The only downside to the whole day was the weather - the skies opened up just around the time people would be driving to the party and it literally monsooned and flooded the roads so badly we were afraid people would not be able to get to the party - everyone made it safe and sound so for that we are thankful. When we got home we found out that our area got 5" of rain in a matter of an hour! It was crazy.
The heavy rain was over by the time the party ended so we got home okay and then Joe and Diane came back to our house and Rowan got to open their presents as well as ours - she got nice things for her kitchen and dollhouse from Joe and Diane and a new bike and helmet from Parker and I. She looks so grown up on it!