It's a couple weeks late but I wanted to post pictures of Jessie's big 8th birthday party. We decided early on that we would have
big birthday parties for the kids at 5, 8 and 12 (and 16 but I don't want to think that far ahead). Jessie requested a Mermaid party and I was happy to oblige her. She helped me stamp and put together her invites for her Mermaid/Pirate party. Luckily, she is almost assured a hot, beautiful day for water activities on her birthday. We had an awesome day! I couldn't have done it without Dave and Grandma's Evie and Grace who came to help set up and keep baby Syd entertained. Even though we live in a small apartment complex, the inside courtyard was perfect for our party. We set up 2 slip & slides on the large grass area and opened the pool for swimming. We even had a couple kids from the complex tag along.
After everyone was cooled off the kids painted and decorated treasure boxes. I was pleasantly surprised at how much they got into it- even the boys. Dave added a craft of his own by painting all the kids faces.
We ate some snacks and dove right in to cake and presents. Jessie, of course, requested a mermaid cake, and she made it easy because she already owned this fancy Barbie mermaid. All I had to do was tie Barbie to a rose nail with fishing line and plunge her in the top layer. I made the chocolate and gum paste decorations a couple days before and spent the night before making the cake. I have always been interested in cake decorating and this was my first foray into the craft. The finished product wasn't quite what I envisioned, but I sure had fun making it and the kids loved looking at and eating the sea creatures and chocolate shells.
My one picture of the day- just to prove that I
was there. ;)
After cake and ice cream the kids went on a treaure hunt around the complex. Aunt Denise and Dave made up some great clues that took the kids to the mailboxes, up the stairs and finally under the food table to find the box of treasure hiding among the present bags. The kids filled their treasure boxes with candy and everyone got a goodie bag to take home. The photo below is Toby and Dave playing with
Flarp- a "noisy" slime that I knew the boys would love. Since Jessie invited as many boys as girls I had to find something that they would like to take home. Dave and Grandpa Dave loved it just as much as the young guys. ;) There were random farting, puffing, slapping noises for days afterward.
I saved the best for last. To date, this is my favorite picture of the year so far. I love the colors, the face paint, and Toby's funny pirate scowl and muscle flex.
It's a couple weeks late but I wanted to post pictures of Jessie's big 8th birthday party. We decided early on that we would have big birthday parties for the kids at 5, 8 and 12 (and 16 but I don't want to think that far ahead). Jessie requested a Mermaid party and I was happy to oblige her. She helped me stamp and put together her invites for her Mermaid/Pirate party. Luckily, she is almost assured a hot, beautiful day for water activities on her birthday. We had an awesome day! I couldn't have done it without Dave and Grandma's Evie and Grace who came to help set up and keep baby Syd entertained. Even though we live in a small apartment complex, the inside courtyard was perfect for our party. We set up 2 slip & slides on the large grass area and opened the pool for swimming. We even had a couple kids from the complex tag along.
After everyone was cooled off the kids painted and decorated treasure boxes. I was pleasantly surprised at how much they got into it- even the boys. Dave added a craft of his own by painting all the kids faces.
We ate some snacks and dove right in to cake and presents. Jessie, of course, requested a mermaid cake, and she made it easy because she already owned this fancy Barbie mermaid. All I had to do was tie Barbie to a rose nail with fishing line and plunge her in the top layer. I made the chocolate and gum paste decorations a couple days before and spent the night before making the cake. I have always been interested in cake decorating and this was my first foray into the craft. The finished product wasn't quite what I envisioned, but I sure had fun making it and the kids loved looking at and eating the sea creatures and chocolate shells.
My one picture of the day- just to prove that I was there. ;)
After cake and ice cream the kids went on a treaure hunt around the complex. Aunt Denise and Dave made up some great clues that took the kids to the mailboxes, up the stairs and finally under the food table to find the box of treasure hiding among the present bags. The kids filled their treasure boxes with candy and everyone got a goodie bag to take home. The photo below is Toby and Dave playing with Flarp- a "noisy" slime that I knew the boys would love. Since Jessie invited as many boys as girls I had to find something that they would like to take home. Dave and Grandpa Dave loved it just as much as the young guys. ;) There were random farting, puffing, slapping noises for days afterward. 
I saved the best for last. To date, this is my favorite picture of the year so far. I love the colors, the face paint, and Toby's funny pirate scowl and muscle flex.
