Keagan's Birthday Party

Etta has a friend named Keagan who she goes to school with. He isn't actually in her general ed kindergarten class, but they see each other regularly throughout the day in the special services lab/ sensory room/ other activities. They have built a sweet little friendship. Keagan's mom, Leslie, and I have been acquaintances for a couple of years. Keags also went to the same Early Childhood program as Etta, which is where I met Leslie. We'd chit chat sometimes in the car line, but I didn't really get to know her until this school year. I see Leslie at least once a day at pick up (but usually twice a day) and we use the time waiting for our kids to talk. We both had some issues with personnel during the first half of the school year and we spent a lot of time comparing notes and being a sounding board for each other. She has become a good friend and I am really grateful for her and her sweet boy.

So, back to Keagan's birthday!

Etta drew a picture on his birthday card. I was so impressed with it that I took a picture! I did direct her a little bit by reminding her of the parts of the body that she should draw next, but I did not show her where to put them and I did not help guide her hand at all. (She also wrote her name all by herself) This drawing is kinda a big deal! :)

Keagan had his party at this new indoor trampoline park called JumpStreet on Saturday, March 14th. After we arrived and dropped our stuff in the party room, Etta and I headed over the the jumping area designated for younger kids (which is where Etta and I were most comfortable). It was an awesome coincidence that my friend Suzy was also there that day with her family. So, we hung out with them for the first little bit.

At some point, the party-goers were summoned to a "dodgeball court", but really it was just an enclosed room full of trampolines that only Keagan's friends were playing in. No one was throwing balls at anyone else. Etta had a blast!

It was crazy hot in there and all of that jumping made us sweaty and thirsty so we were glad when it was time to head to the party room for drinks and pizza and cupcakes.

She ate every bit of that cupcake. Even the half-foot of icing that I tried to scrape off and put to the side. lol. 

One of my favorite moments from that day was when we sang the "Happy Birthday" song to Keags. The group began singing at a "typical" volume, but when Keagan seemed a little overwhelmed with that, the group collectively (and without any prompting) lowered their voices and sang the softest version of the "Happy Birthday" song that I have ever heard. Made me tear up. It was just a tender moment and I am so glad we were there to experience it and celebrate Keagan's birthday with him.