Sound the Octoalert! Magnus is Turning 5!

This morning, on a sunny and windless day by San Francisco standards, an entire village came together to celebrate a very special boy. Now that Magnus is a preschooler and has friends of his own, we chose to celebrate in the city at our neighborhood park so that we could include his whole class.

We served up brunch with hot coffee and mimosas on the down low. With an estimated 50 attendants, I had to delegate responsibilities like a real life boss. Lolo and Lola took on a lot of the food and logistics.  

Farmor, before leaving for Sweden hooked us up with decorations and handmade Octonauts games, while Farfar took on the giant bubbles activity.

" Pin the eye patch on the Kwazi" was huge fun, I had to take a turn myself.

In between activities, the kids got their face-painted by Yvonne, a fellow neighborhood parent. Magnus got a special "5" glitter tattoo that should last until his actual birthday.

 We honored our tradition of crafting a custom piñata of the celebrant's choosing.  Magnus chose the Octoalert.

 With a mini bat borrowed from my cousin, they kids too their turns unleashing their aggression.

 This is the first time in my 7 year piñata making history to see a highly effect stabbing technique.

 The kids were successful in destroying my one week project within 5 minutes.

 It rained goodies and toys, and then this happened.

 Then came time for cake.  With more people than I could possibly bake for, I ordered a cake from the store, stuck a few Octonauts toys into it, and left it at that.

Magnus was very pleased with the party, and all the people who came from near and far to wish him well. Of all three boys, Magnus has the most nicknames: Mang-Mang, Honey Badger, Whackadoodle, Dirtbag, Miggy, and Lillebror.  (I like to think it's because he exudes so much personality and charm.)  Magnus is a true character, a boy finally coming into his own.