It's a Zoo around here!

We combined the kids birthdays this year for one big (BIG) party with our very own petting zoo (courtesy of the awesome folks at Zoo-2-U).

We took full advantage of our nice, big backyard and invited both of the kids classmates, a few friends and neighbors.  And while I've been Pinter-pressured into birthday party madness before, I kept it all nice and simple this time.  We provided the place, entertainment, some snacks and cake.  Done.  Ahhh, so nice!

Seriously, I think we could have just provided the petting zoo and been done with it.  They all loved the animals!

These goats were cracking us up… apparently they didn't like the damp grass and kept standing on the turtle to stay dry.

 We already have the bounce house...

The only downside of a party so large (in my opinion) is way too many gifts.  And it doesn't work to ask guests to not bring a gift.  I've tried it.  I probably wouldn't follow those rules either.  But really - the spread was ridiculous.  So I made the kids select a few at random to give away at Christmas time.  Surprisingly they were very open to the idea.

But trust me, they are not suffering.  They're making great use out of a lot of awesome gifts.

Although this one might have gone to someones head a little.  The teacher is in!