The Block Party

 

Ever since we moved in, we've heard so many great things about the block party. Our street along with the streets that share the alleys on either side all come together to have a huge block party. We couldn't wait! Each house is assigned food to make (I made pesto pasta salad and birthday cookies) and we all bring things if they're needed - so we ended up bringing out a folding table because at the last minute there was a need for one etc. It felt so nice to help! It was great to meet everyone! James even met another 4 year old boy named Sam and his older sister who is 7 named Devon. After the party James kept asking me, "Mom? Who was the lady I met?" And I would say, "You mean Sam's sister Devon? You don't need to call her a lady James. You can say friend!" It was adorable.

The whole street was blocked off with barricades and the kids could ride their bikes up and down the street. James was all over this. I think he immediately got how this was a special thing and normally this is a big no no. So he felt really cool. We took James up and down the street on his bike and went to see if anyone needed anything. Then when he was riding, one of our neighbors told me that the firemen were going to come down with the truck. I couldn't wait for the boys to see this!

We stayed out very late - I came back to feed Cillian and give him a bath and then Doug came in to put him down for the night. And get this - we had to buy a very particular monitor for the kids because in the condo the walls were concrete so the signal would get lost if we didn't. This monitor worked all the way down the block. We stayed right outside the house though just in case. And we even would go back in every 30 minutes to check on him - everything was fine. James loved staying out late in the dark. Then it started lightening and thundering around 9 and everyone packed it up and went home. It was so much fun though. Can't wait for next year!

When we were tucking James into bed after the party he asked if we could have a block party the next night too. It was so much fun. James walked around introducing himself to everyone saying, "Hi I'm James I don't know you yet." Everyone came up to us telling us what a great kid he is - we think so too ;) One of our neighbors asked us if we were going to start him in hockey - he and his wife have two boys and a girl - both boys played hockey and he gave us a name of a coach - his boys are on the special teams at the high school now. So .... that's something up for discussion I guess. The little guys start even earlier than James here. We met lots of the neighbors and the older kids too which was nice. We are very lucky to have such a wonderful group of neighbors and live on such a great block!