So, our day began around 6:32 a.m. when Bella got up. How did I get such an early bird? She has me trained though, I can't sleep past 7 a.m. now, even if I try. I made my first cup of coffee, and began shuffling around picking things up and putting them away. Bella was helping, and doing it with the biggest smile on her face. She skipped everywhere she went today :) Vince made a run to Lowe's to get the piece he needed to fix the toilet in the hall bath. Halleluhia! We have a working, non running toilet! I cleaned up the backyard, while Vince cleaned both our bathrooms. When I was done, I took a shower and some deep breaths, and then I put my party face on and got ready to have some fun.
The first kiddo to arrive was Cameron, a little girl from B-bo's class. After that, it was a steady flow and everyone was in attendance by 2:30. In all we had 10 party guests including Bella, 6 younger and older siblings, and 14 adults. So my calculations were correct...30 people! While all the kiddos were arriving, everyone met and played in Bella's room for a bit until everyone was present. Our first activity was a sea shell hunt in the backyard. Bella hid 2 big shells, and I hid 42 little ones and we let everyone loose. Bella was the official counter and prize distributor so she watched :) It was a huge success, and Rachel found the big clam shell, Stella found the starfish, and Cameron found the most shells! Since everyone was outside with bags in hand, we decided to do the pinata next. They all lined up, and the birthday girl went first with 2 big whacks. We went down the line letting everyone take a turn. Marty and Stella put the biggest hurting on the rainbow fish and I believe Marty actually finished it off. It was full of necklaces, rings, erasers, glow in the dark stars, bubbles and fun stuff like that. It was a definite crowd pleaser.
Now it was time to take a break, head inside and have some cake. After all the coats were removed, we shuffled everyone into the breakfast area to sing Happy Birthday and cut the cake. Bella loves this part, and had the biggest smile I have ever seen on her face while everyone was singing to her. She blew out the candle, and I'm sure made a wish, but I will never hear what it is because she will never tell... She is good like that :) Liz cut up the cake, and kept my Mother-in-law in check while doing so. Diane thought Liz was cutting the cake slices to big and said something. Liz just looked at me and said, "Do you want any cake left over?" I said nope, and she said Ok... Diane was quiet after that :) The kiddos, all waited politely for their slices and then nicely filed into the living room and sat around the coffee table and on the couch. It was so cute seeing them all around the table munching down on some birthday cake. This is a really great group of kids, and they are all so sweet to one another. Sure they have their moments, but for the most part the do genuinely get along. I really love Montessori School!
After cake, we moved on to a round of animal rescue rangers. Vince and Bella had hidden all her animals around the house prior to the party. It was cute to see 14 little ones scurrying all over the house looking for animals. Once they found them, they took them to Bella's room to put in her bed so that she could check them out to make sure they were all ok :) Stella really loved this game and continued to look for animals long after everyone else had quit. Her persistence paid off and she did find a few more animals. I let them play in B-bo's room for a bit after this game since everyone seemed to be having a good time in there. And did they ever, B-bo's room is a disaster, but it is the only room in the house that is, and it easy to clean up.
Next, I got them all to put their coats back on, and we headed back outside to draw with chalk on the patio, blow bubbles, or toss balloons. They also had lots of fun in the hammock, before challenging the 2 older Popkin boys to a game of tug o war. This was one of the cutest things I have witnessed in my life. It was a 10 and 13 year old boy vs. 10 4/5/6 year old girls. Uncle Kamran hung in the middle as a ref, and wow, the boys actually had a hard time. Adorbs! After a couple of rounds, a game of tag ensued where the 10 year old was being chased by 10 little girls all over the backyard. He was truly a great sport, and I think he was even having fun :)
After some good running around in the fresh air, it was time to wrap the party up and say good bye. She hugged each of her friends before they left, so sweet, and then we sat down to finally open presents. She got some really great stuff, I was pretty impressed. She then played with her loot until bath time, and then after bath time continued to play with her loot until bedtime. She skipped dinner, which was fine because they all grazed the entire party. Just before running off to brush her teeth, she stopped and said to me, "These really are wonderful gifts and I had a really great time at my party." This is why we do the things we do!
xoxoxo
Aw...sounds like the best birthday ever!!!!
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