Loaves and Fishes

After hosting more than a dozen birthday parties for the Hergenrader kiddos, we’ve all learned some lessons. Outsource what you can. The activities will take a tenth of how long you think they will (and way less time than you put into them). Avoid opening the gifts at the party, if you can.

And it’s all loaves and fishes.

Meaning, you do what you can until you’re done doing what you can.

Then leave the rest up to God.

Because, really, you can only do so much to celebrate your baby turning two…and THEN you realize he’ll never remember this party, it’s a win as long as the kids have fun, and it’s all loaves and fishes anyway.

It’s especially loaves and fishes when the birthday boy wakes up on the wrong side of his crib on Birthday Party Day. Even though we had a Sugar-Palooza planned for our boy, he preferred for Goggy to hold him.

But Goggy in a Go-Dog-Go-themed party hat? How festive is that?

AND Kay-Kay and Sissy also in Go-Dog-Go themed party hats. Nate loved that. The Hergenrader Family was ready to party. Or as ready as we were gonna be. Loaves and Fishes…

For the record, the girls are flashing the big TWO for their brother here. Not peace. Although peace is nice, too. See how peaceful we all are? That’s us realizing that it’s just loaves and fishes.

Party hats that reach to the ceiling are also festive.

Sam may not be flashing a TWO, or wearing a hat that reaches the ceiling, but he did embrace the Sugar-Palooza portion of the party.

Typical to every birthday party we’ve ever hosted, the magic hour of START TIME arrived, and yet, no guests were there yet. The girls began to get nervous that the guests didn’t know how to find the party, so they stood outside to flag down traffic. Loaves and fishes, girls. Even if no guests came, we could still accomplish our goal of celebrating TWO with Nate. We’d just have no friends (and not nearly as much fun).

But the guests came! Here’s our sweet God-daughter, Lydia, decorating her own party hat. We love a girl who embraces a craft. And a theme.

Speaking of crafts and themes and Lydia and loaves and fishes, God really provided the loaves and fishes when it came to the cake. Go to Jen’s blog entry and read her hilarious (and true) account of how we solved the “Ack! What will we do for the cake?!” dilemma. Jen is not only my best friend who has to do sisterly-type duties in a pinch, but also one heck of a cake-baker. And she came through with the PERFECT Go! Nate! Go! cake. Do you see that ladder? Absolutely fabulous. This is a girl who understands themes. And sugar. And loaves and fishes.

Here’s a close-up of the FOUR-Layer cake (to match the one on top of the tree at the Go! Dog! Go! party)

Sam and Elisabeth understand that an awesome cake makes an awesome party. And so do five-year-old twins who wear (semi)-matching dog shirts. Loaves and fishes on those shirts, friends, which I found the week before the party.

Nate understands that any place (Orange Leaf) that has frozen yogurt COMING OUT OF THE WALLS is the happiest place on Earth.

Catie understands that there’s nothing like matching dog shirts, good cake, frozen yogurt, and really great friends. Friends who listen to long stories.

In the end Nate had a great time. And really, that makes a great party. Loaves and fishes…and party hats.

Loaves and Fishes

Christina

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