Birthday Party

I wish I could call today a smashing success, and say that Nikos enjoyed every minute, but that really wouldn't be in keeping with his character. I don't know if I have ever mentioned it on here before, but while our boy is very happy and outgoing when he's in a small group, he does not like crowds or parties. He just gets completely overstimulated and falls to pieces. This was the main reason that we kept today's party on the small side: it was just us, all four grandparents, two aunts, an uncle, his great-aunt and great-uncle, his godparents, and Bonnie (our daycare lady and next-door neighbor). He knows ALL of these people, and loves them, and (in theory) shouldn't have had a problem. And as people started to arrive, he was fine. But as soon as the crowd got a little bigger, with lots of people calling his name and wanting his attention, he pretty much lost it. He wouldn't eat lunch, didn't want to blow out his candles or eat cake (though he did blow out the candle, anyway-- a minor victory!), didn't really want to open presents, and (basically) didn't really want to be there. A few times, he went back to his room and climbed onto his bed, probably to escape the sensory overload. I felt so bad for him, and sorry that our guests couldn't enjoy the Nikos that they know and love. And, true to form, as people began to leave, he managed to get happier and happier, ending the day on a high note playing in the backyard with Uncle Grant and Aunt Melissa (who he found hysterical when they were playing soccer). Note to self: With Nikos, less is more. Maybe next year we will just do something as a family, or spread out the celebrations over several days with very small groups of people. We'll see.

That being said, he was lavished with attention from all the people who love him today. I didn't get a ton of pictures, between attempting to play hostess and keeping an eye on two kids, and the best ones were taken after most people left, but here they are...
Before the party...

Two aunties

Ready? Get set...

BLOW!

Hey, there's a train on this cake! I LIKE trains!

Lightning McQueen, who he didn't want to put down after opening

Gift grom Grandma and Grandpa

Gift from Yiayia and Pappou (okay, mostly Pappou)

Cruising in his Cozy Coupe while playing bubbles with Uncle Grant and Aunt Melissa

Bubbles! (and a happy birthday boy!)

Maya, checking out the motorcycle

Free wagon rides from Uncle Grant!


Finally, here is the gift we got for him this year... He hasn't seen it yet, but will get it first thing in the morning. I can't wait to see his reaction!


And I should add that I don't have any pictures of him playing with the train table he received as a gift from his Nouno and Nouna, but he ADORES it and has already spent hours with it. It is seriously the most perfect toddler-sized train table EVER! :)