(Alternate title: Or in this case, It’s happening, come hail or high water)
We set the date and made the park pavilion reservations for Ryan’s fourth birthday party way back in March. As of last week yesterday’s forecast was atrocious in terms of temperature (100°+), but it was supposed to be sunny. So we shopped for party decorations (not to be confused with baby shower decorations) and figured out food. And it was sunny all of yesterday morning. Then 1:30pm rolled around, and as we were finishing up what we were doing, gathering up the last minute things to put into the cars, it suddenly got really dark. We rushed, and Dan and the kids made it out to the car, but I got caught up in the torrential downpour the minute I set foot outside. Of course. I rushed and made three trips back and forth to get the drinks, pasta salads, watermelon, and cake out to my car, and in those short three trips, even with a hoodie, I was thoroughly drenched. I also got dinged in the back of the head with several chunks of hail. Ouch.
So we get to the park, along with a stowaway (I somehow managed to run over what looked like an entire tree, and dragged a big chunk of one of its branches with me), and the rain lets up to an annoying misty drizzle. We rush everything under the pavilion, and start setting up. Meanwhile the sky is getting dark again, there’s lightning, and the occasional bout of thunder. Great outdoor birthday party weather, right? 
Texts and calls pour in, everyone is obviously wanting to know if the party is still happening. We say yes, we’re under a pavilion that is 95% dry (a slight misty coating of rain managed to get some of the tables, but that was about it), we have food and cake, so get your asses out here, and continued setting everything up.
I’m happy to report that everybody we invited, with the exception of one of Dan’s aunts (she threw out her back) and uncle (her husband), and Ryan’s therapist, showed up! We planned well in terms of food (not too little, not too much), everyone enjoyed the pizza and breadsticks we picked in lieu of a sandwich platter or barbecue (thank god I nixed that idea; can you imagine trying to barbecue enough food for twenty people in a windy downpour?), the cake was absolutely delicious, as always (I ♥ our local grocery store’s bakery department!), and Ryan had a little mini Christmas going on with all of the presents he received. But then again, there were 15 guests (plus Dan and I, and of course Alyssa), and everyone brought at least one present!
Ryan was so excited about his birthday party. All last week he kept asking how many days, wanted to know if we had everything, what kind of food we would have, who would be coming, etc. On Saturday he went through all of the bags in the bedroom to take inventory on the supplies: “deca-wations, napkwins, ba-woons, party hat, pwesents, can-yee!” But when it came time for the party, he quickly got overwhelmed by all of the people. He came and went, mostly preferring to walk the paved paths around the pavilion and playground, only “checking in” for food, drinks, and of course the birthday cake and presents. Ryan positively beamed when we all sang Happy Birthday to him. 
And of course, this blog entry wouldn’t be complete without pictures:
It looks like he had a blast! Happy Official Birthday Ryan! (I still can’t believe it’s been four years!)
Looks awesome despite the rain! We always have a hard time planning Sydney’s because it’s April. Never know what the weather will be like, so it’s a crap shoot.
Jenn, is that one of your brothers in the photo with Ryan and Alyssa? If so, wow, he’s getting old!
A shame with the weather, but it still looks like a great party and a great location! And I LOVE the picture of you and Dan
Aww everything looks great! You have two beautiful children. I’m jealous, I see all these people with children and families and I can’t help but want that myself.
I can’t believe he’s already four. I remember when you were blogging about being pregnant with Alyssa. It’s crazy how fast time has flown by. It feels like just yesterday though.
Happy belated birthday to Ryan.
Hi Jenn-
You won the lunapads giveaway at Saving Mone Plan!
Please contact me at savingmoneyplan(at)gmail.com so I can send you the prize!