Party like a Rockstar

Today we had a friend birthday party for Casey at our house.  There were 11 girls including Casey and Emily and, yes, I am decompressing now with Miller Lite in hand.  In all seriousness, it was a lot of fun for myself and I think all the girls had a good time.  Tom hid in the basement.  There was a lot of very loud music and screaming.  Lots of screaming.  Lots.  Casey's birthday isn't until the 18th, but our families have 7 birthdays in the next 6 weeks, so this weekend was our only weekend free for a while.  And before I get started describing the party, I just want to acknowledge that I am a whole lot cooler mom because of Pinterest. I swear I couldn't come up with this stuff myself: 

Casey came up with the theme of the party.  She wanted a rock star party.  I realize the years of cute-themed birthday parties are numbered.  Soon, it will be a few friends at a sleepover talking about boys or, God-forbid, gossiping about other girls.  :(   

But for now, 7 and 8 year old girls, loud music, and cake.  Got it.  I can rock that.

First we took out everything from our toy room (formerly the dining room) and set up the stage and dance floor.

My helper, Emily, helped bake the cake.

I cut out cardboard guitars for decorating.

The girls let me take some pictures before the guests came.

 

Each girl got a Backstage Pass when they got here.  Half went to get some glitter makeup and tattoos and the other half started decorating their guitars.  Then they switched.

 

 

 

 

 

Before the dancing started, they gave me their best rock star poses for a group picture.

Then it was freeze dancing and a game that involved everyone imitating how one girl was dancing.  It was fun :)

Pizza was delivered and we played the telephone game.

My birthday girl blushed and seemed embarrassed when everyone sang 'Happy Birthday' :)

Then it was cake time.  I'm no good at cake decorating, but I will say, I was thrilled at how the inside of the cake turned out!!  It's zebra striped!  And it was yummy! (go me!!)

After opening gifts, there was some more dancing with the inflatable microphones each girl got and then it was time to say good-bye to everyone.  Casey said it was a great party and, I quote, "Mom, you've really out-done yourself this year."  I'm glad she had fun and that's all that matters.  I love this age, where something as little as some rockin' music can turn into so much fun.

 

Birthdays Rock!! 

Halloween 2012

Damn.  I forgot how much I love Reece's Pieces.  And Reece's PB cups.  And the PB Pumpkins.  This is going to be a problem.  I've already contacted the local food bank, Reach Out Lakota, today to see if they will accept donations of candy if I stuff them in mittens and gloves for them to hand out with holiday food baskets.  Like I said,  It's going to be a big problem to have all this candy sitting here...  and the biggest of the problems is going to be my ass if I don't get rid of the candy!!

It all stared with carving our pumpkin.

 

And Casey had to squeeze in starting her Christmas list.

Emily got to dress up for dance class.

Emily and I helped out in Casey's class Harvest Party.  I set up a photo booth for the kids in her class and made these props, thanks to an idea I saw on Pinterest.  I thought they turned out pretty good and the kids had a blast!

 

 

Emily and Casey having a turn together

 


Mrs. Mock joined in the fun!

This is the first year Emily really understood what this whole holiday was about - dressing up and getting candy.  She has had her costume selected for over a month.  She wanted to be a princess, but specifically, Cinderella.  I was so proud that she understood Halloween enough and chose her own costume that we wore it all day!  Even though her pre-school did not have kids dress up in costumes (don't even get me started on this not everyone celebrates Halloween garbage - it's pre-school!!), Emily wanted to wear her Cinderella dress and I agreed 100%.  So she was the only kid in costume at school and she (and I) loved it.  Rock on, Cindy!

It was cold and lightly raining for trick-or-treat this year so we bundled up and headed out to participate in the annual tradition of begging for candy. Both girls had fun, but if I had to pick one, I'd (surprisingly) pick Emily for which one had the most fun. Emily totally 'got' what trick-or-treating was all about this year. And she made sure she said 'trick-or-treat' too because she was afraid she might not get candy if she didn't. She was all business about it; carrying her little pumpkin like a boss, marching up to each door step and then onto the next house.  Casey dressed up as a pink skeleton and was excited to have a friend join us for a while.

Playin' it cool, Casey.

This is what exhausted and sugared out looks like - she dropped down right in front of the front door :)

 

 

 And because I have this blog for my girls to have as a keeper of memories, I am including this (awful) picture of myself at 5:30 a.m.  No makeup and all, going to Jazzercise to work off the Halloween candy I would eat later in the day.  It may not be pretty, but somehow I think the girls will think this is funny one day. 

Happy Halloween!