In the end, I decided that I wanted to have the party, even if Ethan would be crazy. So, when I put together the email invite list, I made sure to invite lots of folks with kids so Ethan would have some buddies with which to play. Jody quietly suggested several times that we reserve the community center for the event, and I was reluctant at first because I was holding on to that image of the warm friendship and bubbling conversation in our little apartment / town house-ish thing. On Wednesday of the week before the party, I reserved the space, but only as a precaution. It wasn't until Jody asked me on last time the day of the party, that I realized what grand wisdom she was offering.
Anyway, the party ended up being great fun and there were just as many, if not more, kids than adults. It was kinda like the year before, but Ethan was running crazy with a whole gang of kids with plenty of space for their energy and I sat and had a few conversations with good friends. It was kinda perfect. But, it was chaotic and at one point the whirlwind of kids found some streamers and ran them all around (and I mean ALL AROUND) the community center. The pictures below were provided by Jenny Ham, a good friend who made it out to the party, made a wonderful apple crisp, and got some time away from her two boys to catch up with Jody and I.
