We had a family party for her last night which meant cramming 18 bodies into our tiny house once again. The close quarters are enjoyable when it's time to open gifts though because it's like a family huddle or something.
Whitney was given some adorable kitten cards (no doubt her pen pal Luci will be enjoying those soon), a box of art supplies, a new bike helmet, and the bike she picked out earlier this week. It's really no surprise that she picked out a boys bike, she test drove a pink bike, but like the red and black and said it drove better.
Whitney requested cookie ice cream sandwiches for her birthday treat so that's what I made. It was a bit time intensive, but they were mighty good.
Whitney asked me the other day if there would be a present on the counter for her just like there was for dad and Landon...um yes! I remembered this late last night, but found some books I'd bought a long time ago for her so I wrapped them in wide ribbon (courtesy of Kristi) and left them at the end of the kitchen counter. I think Whitney was equally excited about having the huge piece of ribbon to play with.
Bella and Tess slept over so they'd be here for Whitney's "friend" party today. They have been together since Wednesday afternoon but showed no signs of tiring of each other. How cute is that? (Notice Bella's green boa courtesy of Lisa P. from the 16 day sleepover last summer.)
Only 3 of the 4 friends Whitney invited could make it to the part so it ended up being a nice, small group. Whitney had decided this was a stuffed animal birthday party and had made up several games for them to play using the animals. It certainly made the party planning easier on me.
Randy joined in on several of the games and used Whitney's T-Rex stuffed animal. He also invented a running game which involved them racing across the lawn to retrieve a stuffed animal and then racing back to the other side. It was a workout for them, but was fun.
Whitney had picked out this flower pinata at Robert's the other day. It was a weird shape and was rather tough, so it made it through 5 of the 6 guests (poor Bella didn't get to hit it) before it broke open.
Whitney requested brownies with powdered sugar for her party treat (I was so relieved she chose something easy) and was super happy about it.
The girls got to make several foam pumpkin crafts using my markers and scissors and lots of colorful foam sheets. They made a huge mess, but were quite pleased with their creations.
I always have moments of doubt before kid parties and wonder why I mess with all of this, but after it's over I'm so happy we made it through another party and that the kids are happy. The years roll around so quickly, I'd be a fool not enjoy these moments.
**What would you request for your birthday treat?
Do you like birthday parties?
Did you love stuffed animals as a kid?**
Do you like birthday parties?
Did you love stuffed animals as a kid?**
13 comments:
Whitney looks a lot older to me!
I'm glad she chose something easy for her party, and that she even had plans for games, woohoo!
I love that she chose a boy's bike because it rides better. She's probably right.
I always get a little stressed about kid parties, too, and am so relieved when they are over. But they are so worth it for how happy they make the kids!
How sad is it that I can't really remember if I loved stuffed animals? I know I had dolls...
Happy Birthday Whitney! Today is Tyler's 14th(I knew there was something special about that girl of yours!). What a great Mom you are and I love how you let her choose what she wanted!
My favorite b'day party as a kid was my ET party - we played games like "pin the finger on ET." My kids usually get a big party every other year, and on the years in between we have a smaller family party. It seems like each time I do a big party I swear I;ll never do it again, only to begin the prep again when the next year rolls aeound.
Our neighbor Palmer turned 4 today and her parents had a petting zoo come to the house for the occasion. It was fun; even the parents seemed to like it!
"Family huddle" while opening presents. Now that's a visual.
Poor Emily had NO parties this year- not even family. And Soren's was very last minute- he had two friends come last night to sleep over and he got hostess cupcakes- no joke. For someone who feels so cheated out of good birthdays, you'd think I'd be more on top of it but they are always such a nightmare that I procrastinate my way out of them and up being the loser mom. sigh.
Funny story- Emily woke up this morning and announced it was Whitney's birthday. Not Soren's. Whitney's. That's a little sister for you.
I think Whitney seems pretty old for an 8 year old. She is so cute and I love that she knows exactly who she is and what she likes. She is so creative and funny. It was nice to celebrate her birthday. I hope she likes the new bike and all her gifts. Thanks for sending the great party bags for our kids with Randy- they loved them.
the parties were a raging success or so I heard last night from the girls. They loved the games and the craft.
I totally understand what you mean about moments of doubt before the party, but it is totally worth it.
thanks for having the kids over. they loved it.
my treats...meatloaf, mashed potatoes, pound cake with cool whip...I just recently had all those. And, if I can manage 2, I would like some birthday cake too! I love that you guys all get together for family parties that is so much fun.
What a great party! I always dread the parties too...but am so glad if I actually do it. They are worth the effort.
That cookie and ice cream looks delicious!! AND Brownies with powdered sugar! YUm, that girl knows her treats!
happy birthday whitney! :) and great choice on the bike.
i have not had to throw a friends' party yet- k missed that due to the move this year, but with just the two of us next year, we will likely invite every child within a 50 mile radius. and, true to form, i may freak out. :)
i love all birthday treats. one can never go wrong with chocolate.
I always did fun parties for my older girls, but sometimes I feel like the younger two sort of got the shaft in this department. In my other life (a.k.a. pre-work and fewer kids) I would go all out for themed birthday parties with homemade favors, treats, etc. Whitney's sounds like it was a lot of fun.
One game with stuffed animals that we played at more than one of my kids' parties is hide and seek. My dad came over while I had the kids distracted with another activity and hid the animals around the back yard. It was pretty hilarious to see the funny places my dad would come up with for hiding.
I love your last sentiment and will try to make it my mantra: "I'd be a fool not to enjoy these moments."
I love birthday parties!
How nice that she chose something easy for the party and even helped with games....that's so awesome!
Happy Birthday Whitney! 8 is such a special year!
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