Birthday Parties

Yesterday, Sunday, was Henry's 2nd birthday, and what a birthday it was!
Parties, presents and cake dominated the day. It is now Monday, and I feel like I need a day to rest.
This year, we decided to have Henry's birthday party in a nearby park. After having prayed for good weather all week, we were rewarded with a perfect 80 degree day, without a cloud in the sky.
Having not been able to make it to Henry's 1st birthday, my Mother, Henry's Nana, had flown into town with her significant other, James, to celebrate. A few days earlier, we had been hit with the disappointing news that my wife's Dad had been admitted to hospital, thus would not be able to make it for the birthday. For anyone who is wondering, he is now out of hospital and doing well.
Preparing for the party involved purchasing enough food to feed the 500 person University of Minnesota Marching Band. Much like in an episode of Top Chef, that food then needed cooking, slicing, washing and plating. We (and when I say we, I mean they) then put everything into rubber totes for transportation to take it to the park.

The menu was 12 lbs of Sloppy Joe's, Buns, pasta salad, Cookie salad, chips, lemonade, and cup cakes.
I would like to say that I was heavily involved in the food preparation, but that would be a lie. Marisa did everything. I am not sure what I would do without an expert cook for a wife.
I did help load the car a little bit though, and bought my wife flowers that morning. That is the number one tip for any Dad. On your kid's birthday, always flowers for your wife, and any grandmothers who are present! Trust me, it's worth it.
The only real problem that presented itself was that by the time we were ready to head towards the park, Henry was already tired and ready for a nap. His highly active morning of opening presents and chasing people around, together with the early stages of a cold, had got to him. We were just about to walk out of the door when the H ran into his room, grabbed his pacifier and a book and came out of his room saying "sleep."
When I told him we were going to the park for cake, although clearly still tired, his attitude changed to that of a party animal.
After the hours of preparation and expense, the party felt like it flew by in no time.
Wham, bam, friends, food, cake, presents, candles, happy birthday song, minor Henry meltdown after falling on his face (he has a scar on his forehead today), and the guests were gone. It was time to go home. After packing everything up, both kids fell asleep in the car on the way home having partied themselves out. The end to a great lunchtime.

When we got back to the house, the adults added vodka to the lemonade and relaxed with a drink while the Blue Angels cruised overhead in formation as part of the Sioux Falls Airshow.
Now the next day, having finished with the party, and looking back in hindsight, I have the same feeling I get the morning after a really good late night out on the town (something which is very rare these days).
I am really glad we did it, we all had a great time and I think we will remember that day forever. It was even more special for me having my mother there.
Much like a really great night out, however, I now feel exhausted and devoid of any energy. Next year, maybe we will just do a simple pizza party at Chuck E Cheese. Minimum hassle, maximum fun. The thing is that I know that next time the opportunity presents itself, much like next time I get an opportunity for a great night out, I will have forgotten about the exhaustion I am currently feeling and will grab the opportunity with both hands.
The big difference is that after a night out you are left with a hangover. After this kids party I am left with 5 lbs of unused sloppy joes, 50 buns, and pasta salad up the ying yang. I know what's for supper the next 2 weeks.