It's Party Time!

There was a forecast for clouds in the sky all day on Saturday, but the weather held up just long enough for two neighborhood Explorers to celebrate birthdays New York City Explorers' style: with fun, food, family and friends!

It can be difficult to fit in a party for a one-year-old amongst naps and feeding schedules, but Sammy's parents and older sister Evie found the perfect solution: a morning party with coffee, bagels and cream cheese catered by Blue Marble! With Brooklyn's most popular ice cream cafe' housed in the same store front as our Underhill Ave play space location, why go anywhere else to satisfy morning munchies?!

While Sammy's high energy level and young age prevented him from getting too involved at craft time, the song circle led by his party facilitator, Amy, was right up his alley! After singing Kisha's own Hip Hop Hello song, the group enjoyed shaking instruments while singing rounds of Five Little Ducks, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Sally the Camel, and other children's favorites before the older party guests played jumbo Jenga. With its giant blocks, the game was perfect for little hands to get involved in! The only thing better than games and songs? CAKE! Sammy's grandma and grandpa made the party full of sweeties a little bit sweeter with a sheet of custom-made cupcakes printed with a picture of the adorable tot himself!

After the party wound down and Sammy had headed home for his nap, Amy got to welcome beautiful five-year-old Lola, along with her parents and adorable little sister. While Amy had crafts and games aplenty prepared and at the ready for Lola and her guests, the children were most excited to get outside and enjoy our fenced-in back yard at the Underhill play space! The weather was so beautiful that after making birthday cards for Lola, her friends stayed in the sunshine as long as possible to have their faces painted by a creative friend of Lola's parents! We are lucky enough to live in a borough filled with artists, and the intricate and colorful designs that the children at the party sported home held testament to that fact.

Although the rain had begun to fall by the time Lola and her parents were making their way home, everyone was grateful for the amazing fall afternoon that they had the opportunity to enjoy before the sky opened up, and Amy and Edwin were especially grateful for the delicious slices of cake that Lola's mom handed them on her way out!