The Boys' Combined Birthday Party

This year we did a combined birthday party for the boys, the last year we can probably do so. It was Cars themed but simple and laid back. We had it at the park so the kids could run around (and I wouldn't have to clean my house before or after).

I painted the kids' faces as we waited for everyone to arrive and had Cars pages for the kids to color. We had pizza and snacks for lunch.

Instead of spending more money on Cars-themed cups, I printed out a Cars picture with each child's name and taped it to a plain cup.

After lunch we did a water balloon toss that turned into a fight and then everyone ganging up on Justin. It was awesome.

 
Next was cake and ice cream. Again, instead of spending extra money ordering a cake or making my own from scratch (I didn't have the time, either), I found a chocolate cake at the store and replaced its butterfly decorations with my own Cars ones.

Unfortunately, the wind prevented the boys from being able to blow out the candles.

Presents followed, and the boys were thoroughly spoiled with lots of thoughtful gifts.

Bubble bath so no more soap fiascos! Also, Gabe would not let go of that last water balloon, lol.

Everyone got a Cars favor box before leaving; we ran out of time for balloon animals.

My boys had a great time, and I hope everyone else did, too. I may not put much effort in decorations and such, but I always try to make parties enjoyable and fun for my guests, particularly the kids.

Racecar Birthday Party

Last week we attended a friend's racecar birthday party. It was so cute and creative! The walkway was decorated like a road.

The plates at the food table were lined up by color to resemble a stoplight. My boys were obsessed with the balloons, as usual.

There was a monster truck bouncy house. I even jumped in it at the end! I haven't done that in who knows how long.

My friends built a ramp for racing toy cars. I thought this idea was fabulous, and it was my kids' favorite activity.

There was a lawn game as well. I was terrible at it! They also had a car photo booth.

I volunteered my Raggedy Fran services. The facepainting was particularly a hit with the teenage girls. They all got puppy faces.

The boys got to take home a a racecar helmet and a handmade, car play mat complete with matchbox cars. It was such a well planned and fun birthday party!

Cheap & Easy Carnival Party

I am the president of the kids' program at my local church. My birthday fell on the same day as our semimonthly activity night, so I decided to throw a carnival party for the kids. There is no one I'd rather spend my birthday with here than with the unpretentious, fun children I serve.

I found this free image online to make the invitations.

I found a free printable set at We Heart Parties for signs and decorations.

I used the cupcake toppers to make a different banner. I found more game signs at Mama Bub Blog and matching blank signs online for other games. The games we had were a pool noodle ring toss, pin-the-nose-on-the-clown, two bean bag tosses, a marshmallow toss, and nerf gun target shooting (unfortunately, in my haste, I forgot the bowling game and circus tent). The kids earned tickets they could redeem for dollar-store prizes.

There was a photo booth too with lots of fun props, and classic American folk and kids' songs playing in the background.

I dressed up in my new clown costume ("Raggedy Fran") and painted the kids' faces.

Once the kids lost interest in the stations, we snacked on popcorn, chips, cupcakes, and apple juice.

I had planned to tell everyone it was my birthday at the end, but my friend surprised me with a candle in one of the cupcakes, which I stuffed into my mouth whole to everyone's astonishment.

We played some more party games--hot potato, red-light green-light, and tag--and ended with balloon animals, or more like a huge balloon-sword fight.

Everyone had a lot of fun, which means it was a success in my book!

Caden's Birthday & Party

Last month Caden turned 4. We asked him what he wanted to do on his birthday and he chose to go to the playground.

Afterward we got him and Gabriel balloons from the dollar store, which they played with every day until they deflated. They liked to run around with the balloons flying behind them.

I got Gabe the #1 balloon because he's always pointing at things. He preferred Caden's though.

After nap time we got ice cream at Nickey Doodle's and then went shopping to kill time before dinner. Caden wanted to eat out, so we chose Applebee's since we had vouchers for free kids' meals for reading 10 books. Gabriel wouldn't stop screeching the whole time! When I tried getting him to sign, the waiter was impressed we were teaching a hearing kid to sign. He signed as a kid because his mom used to be deaf.

This past Saturday we had Caden's birthday party. Caden helped me make the decorations and cupcakes the night before. We did a sports theme.

Three of his friends and their parents came. It was a short and simple but fun party. We danced to some children's music, decorated treat bags, played stick-the-nose-on-the-clown and a bean bag toss game, decorated cupcakes, opened presents, and then let the kids play in the boys' room. Little kids are so easy to please!

 

More Cadenisms: backworks (backwards), dooze (does; but he doesn't say this anymore), cheek (end slice of a tomato or bread), Mr. Mommy Man/Pants (what he calls me when he's being silly). There is a tall apartment building near the post office that Caden calls his work. And on his birthday he said, "I'm four now. I can put on my shirt by myself," and he's been doing so ever since. Every year I can't believe how much he's grown.

I didn't include an update on Gabe in his birthday post so I will here. He waves goodbye, gives open-mouthed kisses, and signs all done, eat, and water (the last two he does the same). On Sunday, August 24, he bowed his head for prayer! At our church picnic he chased a poor little dog around everywhere it went. He is so funny!

Gabriel's First Birthday

Justin's family came into town for Gabriel's first birthday. Saturday we took them to Nicky Doodle's for ice cream, which they thoroughly enjoyed. Sunday we played Catch Phrase (lots of cheating went on!) and watched Emma Smith: My Story.

enjoying cherries

Monday we went shopping while Justin played in a tournament with his dad caddying for him. I found a shirt and snow jackets for the boys, and Caden got to go on the carousel with Keilani. We stopped by Sam's Club before heading home. (I can't wait for Costco to open in Syracuse!) We ended the night with Saving Mr. Banks, a very touching story.

teething bling

Tuesday was the big day. The men were at the tournament again, so we took the boys to the rec center and then made banana cupcakes with cream cheese frosting, with a hint of brown sugar and cinnamon. Best frosting ever!

We ate at the casino buffet and visited the pro shop where Justin works. It was very nice and the view was gorgeous!

Once home we sang to Gabriel and gave him a plain cupcake, which he waited to eat until after we finished singing and then happily devoured, unlike Caden at his first birthday (or this one, for that matter. He just licked off the frosting.).

first bite

Gabe got Baby Signing Time DVDs from my mom and the peas from Toy Story 3 from Titi Kirsten.

Wednesday we went shopping again and had the missionaries over for dinner. Later I made sticky popcorn and we watched Epic. I must say, I was very happy that everything I cooked for my in-laws was a hit!

Thursday we toured the house we originally were supposed to move into. The upstairs is pretty, but the entire downstairs needs to be remodeled. After naptime, Caden got his birthday gifts: play swords from us and a plasma car from Justin's family. All were the same colors, teal and light green!

The family left early Friday morning. We had a wonderful time together and the boys enjoyed all the attention and gifts.