After Ethan's birthday party, all Sophia could talk about was how she wanted a party with a "bouncy house". I knew there was no way I was getting out it, when she woke up every morning asking if it was her birthday and telling strangers everywhere, that she "was having a party with a bounce house." Of course, I didn't have to ask what kind of party she wanted. I was happy to hear that that they made a Dora bounce house!
I decided that a short, early birthday party would be the best at her age! Some thought I was crazy to have eight 3 & 2 year olds over, without parents, but I decided I could do anything for an hour. With a bounce house, food, cake, and presents, the time would go quickly and Sophia and the others would have a great time!
A week before, we filled out Dora invitations and I drove her to her friends houses' to deliver them. She was so excited as she was realizing that her party was getting closer.
The day before her party, we went to the store and ordered her cake, and bought the party favors and put the bags together. She wanted to give them out that day, and didn't quite understand the concept of her not getting one!
Ben and I put the streamer's in her doorway the evening before, (which is beginning to be our family tradition). I was excited for her to wake up to them, but in the morning I found her sleeping with Boston. Once the kids woke up, she came downstairs and opened my Mom's endless amount of gifts. You would think she was her only grandchild by the amount of gifts that kept coming out of the bag! After the kids went off to school, and I finished working out, we spent the morning decorating and getting food prepared.
Since the party was at 11:00, I had to prepare a little lunch, but I decided to make it easy and healthy. I made these PB&J's. I cut the grape jellies with the Dinosaur cookie cutters and strawberry with hearts.
I also had a fruit platter, and a couple bowls of trail mix. Once everything was ready, Sophia waited anxiously for her first guest to arrive.
Once her first couple of guests showed, they started on the jumper. Once everyone showed up, they started eating lunch. Of course, while I felt like I needed to feed them something, I should have known better. They just wanted to play, and they hardly ate half of what I put out.
They moved back to the jumper for some time, and then we moved onto presents. That was probably the most hectic part of the party. All the kids wanted to see, and there wasn't enough room, and then when she put the opened presents on the floor, kids were wanting and trying to open them.
After presents, we sang Happy Birthday. I didn't really think about photography, when I planned the party. Usually Ben and I take turns, and just think how hard it is to rally 8 kids, light a cake, and get pictures of it all. With that said, once I got the kids back to the table, I noticed Sophia was missing, and found her half way through the kitchen carrying her cake. Dora had fallen off, and a chunk of frosting had made it to the floor. Once I got that under control, and got her outside, I had to light the cake twice, because the candles went out before I got my camera ready. Once I did, it ironically took her a few tries to blow them out.
Oops! The wind blew them out!
Try #1
Try #2
#3
Sweet Success!!!
I passed out the cupcakes, and had wipes ready. Most of the kids licked the frosting off and then went off to play. The party was over before I knew it. Sophia had a GREAT time, and it wasn't hard at ALL. It was like nursery with a bounce house, presents, and cake! I'm glad I went for it, and threw her a party! She still talks about it, and has fun opening a different gift every couple of days!
Later that evening, after Boston's football game, we went out as a family to celebrate. We went to Fridays, and they sang to her and brought her ice cream. Doesn't she look so old here? My baby isn't a baby anymore:(
