Birthday Parties

We are getting good at holding birthday parties. Autumn is our birthday season, we have 3 in a period of 5 weeks. The first one we had was for #4, he had a dinosaur party, the kids buried plastic dinosaurs in our woods that the kids had to dig for. We played dinosaur, dinosaur, roar instead of duck, duck, goose, we had some other games I can't remember it's been a while now and then of course we had homemade whole wheat vegan lemon birthday cake with homemade sherbet made in the vitamix out of frozen fruit, agave nectar and a little bit of water to get the blades turning. We also decorate with lots of streamers and balloons and the kids pick stuff out at the dollar store to put in the goody bags and decorate the table. We usually have the party hats and matching plates and cups.

So we had a carnival party today. The kids filled easter eggs with tickets and hid them in the forest. Then they set up several stations outside with different activities like bowling, golfing, bean bags, jump rope etc. We also popped popcorn and filled popcorn bags with it and #2 made some great little cookies that got eaten really quick. Then my husband let each kid have a turn shooting the BB gun and then the bow and arrow. That was a highlight. Then we had them play catch the chicken, so the boys were running around the yard and forest getting all scratched up catching chickens to put back in their coop. Finally we had our lemon cake and sherbet, party hats and sang happy birthday in the midst of our lovely decorations. Very fun times, very easy, most everybody just walked and they all walked home when it was over. Thanks to my girls for setting up and pretty much running the party while I baked the cake and talked to one of the moms.

Next week we'll be going to the Classic Fun center-- more good and easy times. No wonder my kids all insist on a party!! But I am pretty glad when February comes around-- no more celebrating-- we can actually get some work done!!

We got a full day of celebrating tomorrow with Halloween parties at our homeschool group, Ryan's work, and the pinewood derby in the evening. We'll be leaving at 8 a.m. and getting home around 9:30 p.m.