The Party... All Aboard

Today was Sam's 4th birthday party. As everyone knows he is mad on trains so we hired the Hove Park minature railway for half hour before it opened to the public and decided to set up a gazebo in the park and have a few games before hand.

Last night was manic putting all the finishing touches together and making the cake I was pleased when this morning arrived. Daddy and Sam went off to Grandad's for breakfast whilst Cala, Daisy and I headed off to the park to set up ready for everyones arrival at midday. We unloaded the car and put the gazebo up, thankfully it was lovely and sunny (the rain from during the week had gone) but a little windy and chilly. We put the gazebo up and had to stake it into the ground as it was so windy and had Daisy holding on to whilst we got stuff from the car.

All the guests arrived and the fun began... first it was running around with the football, then the little people were divided into two teams by the 'Slim Controller' aka Daddy - we had a boys team and a girls team and they had to get all the coal back in the trucks. They had great fun doing this and finally the boys won.

It was then time for pass the parcel followed by musical trains and boy were they throwing some moves, they are the ravers of the future. There was just some time for a bubble blowing competition before they sat down to a train drivers feast.

After chocolate spread sandwichs (I bet the other mum's loved me - not), crisps, sausages, scotch eggs, fruit and lots of chocolate treats it was time to board the 'Samuel Express' the railway had opened.

They all waited perfectly and received a badge and then went on the trains countless times, even the adults were eager to go on. When the railway opened to the public and there were huge ques for paying customers they let the birthday boy and his friends jump the que and still keep riding. Mick and his team at the Hove Park Miniature Railway were fantastic and really made an effort with Sam and his friends - it really did make the party. So a huge THANK YOU to them.

We were running out of time so we gathered everyone and finished off with the pinata. As it was a boys party they all got a turn bashing it bt Daddy had to come to the rescue in trying to open it and then we did pull by the ribbon and all the sweets fell to the ground with very excited children gathering them up.

The cake was cut, party bags given and goodbyes said - it was then time to clear up. Thank you to Daddy for all your help, to Jo for doing the Train logo, etc and to Cala Wala Woo Woo for helping set up and run the party - what would we do without you. xxxx