Yesterday I was at the dollar store buying some things for Kaeson's party when I came across a pair of elf/ fairy shoes. I bought them thinking that they would be cute for Kyra's dress up box. When I got them home, she was THRILLED! She immediately put on a princess costume and tiara and started prancing around the house.
After closer inspection of the shoes, I realized how easy they would be to make. I also so (arrogantly) thought that I could make them look much better and be of a much better quality. While I was out, I stopped by the store and bought another pair of shoes. Thank heavens I stopped today because most of them were gone by the time I got there.
I took them apart, fashioned a new pattern, figured out how to line it and make it look a bit snazzy and whipped a pair up. They are quite cute in my never to be humble opinion. I did them the first time out of scrap fabric since I didn't know how they would turn out. I am off to try it with fancy ones now!!!
The ducks were extremely tame and let the kids touch and pet them. Besides making me shiver a little with ewww, I thought it was kind of cool. They got a kick out of feeding the birds half a bag of wonder bread. I got a kick out of their pictures. 
Oh, and what did I do with my spare hour by myself. Seeing as it was too early to go to bed, I did what every person should do every once in a while, took a long hot bath with a drink and a fantastic book. I loved it! 
Summer birthdays are awesome to have! They can be hosted outside! I have an August birthday and all of my birthday parties growing up, were held outside. The invitations were sent out inviting kiddos to a Water Games party. As the clouds rolled in and the hail and rain pelted my house this morning, I started dreading the afternoon. I had visions of 13 children under 6 running through my (relatively) clean house as the basement flooded during the birthday party. I know, aren't I a postive person! 
By mid morning, the storm broke and I regained my calm (haha) composure. I ran my errands, picked up birthday party items and party favors and of course, my Diet Coke (the large size is on sale is at McDonald's for $1 right now.) I picked up my sister and came home to make the cupcakes. We were ready with several hours to spare... or so I thought.
We were leisurely going about our morning when we suddenly realized that our water balloons were just not holding up. So, I thought to myself (no it wasn't the voices in my head...it was the sound of logic) that I could run to the store and quickly pick up a batch of stronger water balloons. Easier said than done. I had to go to three different stores, including searching for a party store that has apparently closed in the recent weeks, to even find water balloons and they were all as flimsy as the ones that I had already bought. 
After getting back to my car, I tried out our new "Splash Out" ball (scroll down a few posts to find out about this awesome party crowd pleaser) and it wasn't working. I ran back into Target and had a problem exchanging it since I had left the receipt at home and had only bought it an hour earlier. However, I got it taken care of eventually. On the way home, I saw Kyra's lunch sitting on the back seat of my car. Another trip to the school to help my child not starve in the middle of school.
By the time I was finished, I returned home just in time for the party. 
The party by the way, went off without a hitch. The kids loved it. Even though half way through the party, the clouds rolled in and threatened us with another bout of rain, we stuck it out. We played Splash Out, Pass the Sponge, Popping the Water Balloon Relay, Pin the Tail on the Donkey and each child got to sit on a massive water balloon to get all wet. It was great. 
A bit of cake and a few presents were just a small break in the fun. As soon as the all clear was given, the kiddos started running through the sprinklers again, despite the black skies. They really didn't notice. Not even for one second! Thanks to all the moms that stayed to help. Thanks to all the moms that dropped off all of their kids. The more the merrier!!! Really, I mean it. Thanks to all the moms that are taking all of my now unnecessary baby and food items off my hands. You are a big help! 
Most of all Happy Birthday Kaeson....Again! 
Kaeson loved the idea of the place cards and quickly found a great way to display his own place card. Don't you just love my extremely kookie kiddos.
On Tuesday, we finally got it out of the box and set up. I had activity days with the girls and we decided to make s'mores. Everyone came over and we ended up doing them here at the house. What an awesome activity to do with Spring Fevered 8 -12 years old that have obviously had more than their fare share of sugar over the last week or so of school. We had to cap the girls off at three each. I am just glad that they liked it.
On a whim, my parents stopped by my house that same night. They were on their way home from my cousin's wedding reception and decided to stop in to say hi (I LOVE it when they do that.) So anxious to show off the fact that I was using their gift, I dragged them outside against their will to have them sit at our picnic table and stare at the little fire. After a few minutes of pleading, I got them to sit and roast the marshmallows with the kiddos. Everyone actually ended up having a great time.
Let me share with you the secret to making GREAT S'mores. My dad taught me this not too long ago. You use the chocolate graham crackers and the big, monster chocolate bars that they sell at Christmastime for $1 at the grocery store. My friend Toni also showed me that the chocolate melts better if you shove the chocolate inside of the melted marshmallow. I don't know. Give it some thought!
.JPG)
