Nolan's Fourth Birthday Party

It's been a crazy crazy few weeks following Nolan's fourth birthday, so I'm going to attempt to play catch up. It's hard to believe we have a four year old at home now, but Nolan has really matured leaps and bounds this year and really feels like such a big kid these days!

Nolan's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, so we got to have his party on his actual birthday! This was the first year we invited his pre-school classmates to come (previous parties were all family and friends), and since we are still in our rental townhouse (I don't want to talk about it...) we knew we had to have it out somewhere. I had heard of kids having parties at fire stations in our old area, and loved the idea. Unfortunately, I was striking out everywhere with stations that do not allow birthday parties on site. I was about to give up and look elsewhere (and be the millionth party at Bounce U), when someone suggested New Hope Eagle Fire Company, and I struck gold! Fireman Kevin was absolutely awesome, and it was my favorite birthday party we've thrown to date.

We started off his birthday morning with our family presents so that he'd have something fun to do when he woke up. Nolan's entire class is obsessed with superheroes right now, and many of them have assigned themselves a particular superhero when they all play together. Nolan has chosen Iron Man (and his best friend Henry Thomas is Captain America). Of course, we had to get him some Iron Man-themed gifts!

So excited!

Iron Man mask that changes your voice when you talk

Dean anxiously awaiting the other gift being opened ;)

Iron Man Gloves that light up!

I am Iron Man!

Happy watching her brother!

We had the party near lunchtime so kids could still go home for afternoon naps if they still take them. I had never been to the fire station before, but it blew away all my expectations - it was such a perfect place for a party!

Firemen gear in their lockers

Birthday party table right in the station with the vehicles! Nolan requested red and green balloons because they're his 2 favorite colors :)

We had a pretty good turnout of about 10 kids. The party started off with Fireman Kevin giving some safety lessons and trying on all the fire fighting equipment.

Nolan was entranced! He loved it.

I got a little emotional when Fireman Kevin was talking about kids hiding from the firemen coming to save them during fires because they were scared of all the equipment - particularly the gas mask (darth vader breathing). He put one piece of equipment on one-by-one and each time asked the kids who he was "Fireman Kevin!" showing them there was nothing to be scared of. It definitely is upsetting thinking of a scenario that this could be life-saving, but it is so important as you never know.

It's still fireman Kevin!

A few of the staff helped and everyone was so nice!

Next up was the tour of the station and climbing in all the fire trucks! The kids were so excited and wanted to go in all the trucks!

hanging out with his friends Mason, Jimmy, and Ilona

Big smiles!

So fun to have his best friend from his old pre-school come - Jimmy! Nolan's shirt was from etsy with a firetruck, his name and #4 on it :)

They even had a rescue boat that is used for river rescues!

After going on pretty much every vehicle possible, it was lunchtime! We kept it simple and had pizza delivered.

Someone was a fan of the pizza!

For the first time ever, I ordered a fancy cake from a bakery for the party! We got it from the caketeria in Newtown - it had a fondant firetruck on it and was made with marble pound cake - yum!

After pizza and cake the kids wanted one more round in the fire trucks, and the wonderful people in the station were willing to accommodate! We basically had to kick people out towards the end - the kids never wanted to leave!

Round 2!!!

After getting basically no family pics at Emmy's party, I was determined to try this time! It wasn't the biggest success, but better than nothing!

Nolan was not happy about being pulled away for a photo!

Nolan and his BFF Henry Thomas

Almost all of the kids! Emmy, Ilona, Rylee, Jimmy, Nolan, Henry Thomas, Mason, Cylar, and Ian

Begrudgingly headed home (at least he got the balloons!)

Best way to get a kid to leave the fire station? Tell him all all his presents are waiting to be opened there!!

The loot!

Batman costume from Mary Beth. We are in full Super Hero phase right now!

Emmy always willing to "help"!

Nerf football from Jimmy!

The party went better than we could have ever imagined. We were so impressed with the firemen, and gave them a much larger than planned donation because of it! Always happy to support them for all the important work they do. This year will be hard to beat!