February 15 Brendan's Party

Saturday:  This year, Brendan asked for a surprise party--well--almost a surprise! He knew he was having some friends get together with him to celebrate his birthday, he just didn't know WHERE.

It turns out that there is a place in Grand Rapids, right at Woodland Mall, that I have never heard of. Dylan told me it has been here since right around 2020--but I had never seen or heard of it! It's called MAIN EVENT. It's kind of party venue with food, bowling, laser tag, an arcade, etc. 

Since Kelly is still sick, it was good that I was wide open today to be whatever help I could be to Dylan; so I showed up at 12:30. What a nice place! Kelly messaged me earlier in the morning requesting that I pick up a cake along the way--so I stopped by at Sam's Club and got that really nice rectangle cream-filled chocolate cake that is extra special yummy. 

Here are a few pictures of the party:

Everyone had pizza first--which was quite yummy--and then we sang "Happy Birthday" and cut the cake.

Brendan has very nice friends. Joanna, his long-time friend from Trinitas is sitting on the left corner of the table--see her?

A few of his friends came from his youth group at Holy Trinity (two fellows by the name of "Peter", one of which is ONE day younger than Brendan), and also three siblings from a life-long family friends: I can't remember the oldest girl's name--but then there was Jude, and the youngest, Mirielle (I'm probably not spelling that correctly). These three siblings are super nice both to each other and to others. They really enjoy each other AND they've known my grandkids for their entire lives--so they are pretty good friends. 

These three stinkers were enjoying themselves hugely as well. 

Isn't Erin a riot? She LOVES to be in pictures! Aidan didn't mind me taking his picture today either! Yay!

Cal REALLY enjoyed his cake! I had a small piece too!

Look at how grown up Aidan is getting to look! He will be EIGHT next month!

After eating was over and done with, the kids all had a bowling game. TEN kids divided into two groups of 5, two lanes. It was so much FUN to watch them with these heavy bowling balls. Cal was thrilled to be included. Look at his little face!

The first lane included "bumpers" for the smaller kids, but the second lane did not. Cal was in the first lane and used a little "hill prop" to roll his ball down the lane. He ended up with the highest score in his lane! He was very proud.

Aidan was very unafraid to bowl. He lifted the ball quite easily (7# was the lightest ball) and quite intensely (always) threw it down the lane ...

After bowling was finished, the older kids moved on to Laser Tag. I had to leave at about 2:30 because Jesse asked if I could come and visit Kaity while he was having an MRI of his knee this afternoon. So, that is what I did! I sure enjoyed being at Brendan's party, though.