trois
Went to Tanglewood for Penelope’s third birthday party. We located a table near the kids’ (and our) favorite playground and turned them loose while we set up. All four of the grandparents, one set of great-grandparents, and four of the aunts and uncles were in attendance. We had strawberry cupcakes just like her first birthday, and she received some dress-up clothes, a game and some other odds and ends. Near the end of the party Luke and Granddad, and Pen, Grandpa and myself took paddle boat rides. Luke and Pen both loved being out on the water.
Luke had a good time too, though I did have to “manage” him like I do most birthday parties. He’s just got an insatiable desire to be in the middle of everything. I suppose that’s a normal kid desire that needs to be tempered; the perceived need to be the center of attention, especially with relatives around, whose attention you’d like to have and around whom you feel more entitled to behave just as you feel. We’ve been doing more “imagine how you’d feel if you were X and they treated you a certain way” exercises, but I’m doubtful they’ve taken hold. Just have to do our best to be patient, consistent and persistent.