Edward's Birthday Party Planning

I am busy planning Edward's 5th Birthday Party. We had originally (well he did) wanted to have it again this year at the bowling alley, however when I went to set it up.....I was told that we couldn't that week because the Pepsi Tournament Finals were happening that weekend. At first this really upset Edward. We looked into having it at Pump It Up but I didn't care for their party packages. I would have it here at the house but with the renovation still going on and all that I need to get done after it is complete before my Mother In Law arrives plus the fact that we have 3 dogs, I felt it was best to just skip that thought. Maybe next year. I received our quarterly Zoo members newsletter in the mail and that reminded me that we could have a party for him at the zoo. So I asked him, at first he still was insistent about it being at the bowling alley but after a long talk and convincing him we couldn't this year, he okayed it. We are doing a Safari Adventure Party in the Education Building. I think he will like it. They will bring in a live animal and having games and cake for them, plus they get a tour of the zoo. I think it sounds like a great 5th Birthday to me. I found cute party supplies with a Swingin Safari theme. We are doing an African Safari because Edward just loves Giraffes and Elephants....Gorillas too. I bought lots of cute zoo favors for his party attendees. We have over 20 children invited (a few from Co-op, a few from bowling, 1 family from Church and 1 family from Daddy's work...plus the 2 families I use to Nanny for). This will be the first big party. His 3rd party he had 2 or 3 other little boys plus Regan and the Kimmel children. His 4th birthday was a bomb only Regan showed up for that one. We ended up having one after Kindermusik class with the children just to make up for the bomb that we had at the bowling alley. This year we know more people and he has friends from all the things he participates in. We actually have an over abundance of folks to invite and that is awesome for him. I will have pictures for all after the party is over next month.