Party Games

"Hard to believe this fuss is about me!"

When the birthday cake had been devoured and when I thought the party was over, a third event opened up for us: playing family games.

Last week we were practising a game with pool noodles which we have nick-named "Wack an Ankle".

The rules are contained in the game name: you can wack your opponents, but only on the ankles.

This leaves room for you to accidentally go a little higher, but not much.

... one balloon for Betty ...
... handfuls of balloons for the rest of us ...

The way we play the game involves a lot of running after each other, calling out "you are it", screaming and trying to get people to go after someone else, not you.

I am not a fast runner, but what I lack in speed, I make up for with strategy, running in circles around trees or circling what we call the tree house -- a lovely piece of playground equipment that is not in a tree, but that doesn't seem to matter to the people who call it "the tree house'.

... helium free balloons ...

Miranda upped the ante at Betty's party by replacing the pool noodles with balloons and stick purchased at the dollar store.

We divided out the balloons and then began to chase each other, holding onto the long sticks and screaming in mock terror, both when we were hit, ... and screaming in real terror when a balloon would pop unexpectedly.

Betty's First Birthday -- fun for all.

Arta