Jungle party

How far will I go to avoid another birthday party for AJ at Chuck E. Cheese? All the way to the rain forest if necessary. Or at least to the Rainforest Cafe at the Mall of America, which is still a pretty good trek for us.

Here you go, Grandpa Dave and Grandma Elouise, a shot of all your grand kids.

Oh wait, what does that sign under AJ say? Something about not sitting or climbing on the wall?

Sydney, move over a bit. AJ, put your legs together. There. Now you can't see it. MUCH BETTER,

And what was so dangerous about this spot? Well, there was a "crocodile" on the other side.

All together, 15 people came along on our birthday safari – my sister's and brother's families, and my friend Geralyn and her kids. Baby Finn seem unfazed by the wild surroundings, but cousin Zane was fascinated. How could he possibly be expected to smile for (or look at) the camera when it was raining right behind him?

Each time the rain would start, he'd grab a menu and cover his head.

Which was a wiser move than what my son did. AJ, standing on his chair to check out the surroundings beyond the "mushroom canopy" that covered our table, managed to stick his head out far enough to get soaked. Note the drenched hair in the photo below. Such a brilliant child!

Of course the highlight was the volcano ice cream. Giant scoops of vanilla, whipped cream and fudge, surrounded by wedges of chocolate cake, topped off by a real sparkler.

These things are so huge that two were enough for our entire table.

It was fun seeing everyone. It was nice eating somewhere other than Chuck E. Cheese. And it was very nice to have a party with a Wild theme that had nothing to do with the hockey team.