Cole's 8th Birthday

Cole's birthday is always competing with the first day of school.  So this year we decided to have his party a week before the actual big day, to get a jump on things.  He wanted an "Old West" theme this year, and I was super excited about that.  I love the Wild West.

Here's his invitation:

I got a bunch of harmonica western songs, and of course "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" song off iTunes and had them playing when the kids first entered the house.  

As the kids were arriving, I gave them a matching game to play.  They had to try to match the old west word or phrase with its current meaning.  It was pretty tricky.  I tested it out on Drew the night before.  He got them all right, but it was a challenge.  

After a while the kids were getting stumped, so I read a story (that I made up) using a bunch of the phrases to help them figure them out.

It ended up being a great way to keep the kid occupied while we were waiting for everyone to arrive.

We had to take our OUTLAW photo to remember this great day!

Then it was time to play some games and have fun.

We started off with cattle herding.  The kids were divided into two teams and had to guide their three balloons around the obstacles and bring them safely back home.  It was a fun little relay.

Next we taught the kids how to lasso.  Thank you YOUTUBE for helping me with that one.  Each of the kids got their own lasso and practiced roping the horse.  

Next we went panning for GOLD.  I spray painted a lot of little rocks with gold spray paint and threw them in the kiddie pool with a bunch of dirt and other rocks.  The kids LOVED this one.  All the gold they collected, they were able to take home.

Then it was back inside for PIN THE MUSTACHE ON THE OUTLAW.  It was really funny. 

Then of course we had to do a pinata.  

Lots of attempts, but ultimately Cole was successful.

I made this cute horse cake and Cole just loved it.

Thank you to all his friends for a wonderful party!

 Happy Birthday Cole!

Mia is 10!!!

I can't believe my first born is 10 years old!  We decided to have a casual birthday party to help her celebrate.  Here's the invitation:

We did our best to make it look like a real movie theater.  This is just a printed sign I made on photoshop, mounted to a piece of foam board, and lit with some of our patio lights.  

Luke was our adorable ticket taker.  

Our concessions stand had the works.  Pizza, nachos, candy, popcorn, and soda.

The girls loved watching McKenna (an American Girl movie).  Most of them had never seen it before.

We made THE ULTIMATE CHOCOLATE CAKE (which is our favorite).  You can get the recipe here.  Yummiest when made a day in advance.

Mia has some amazing friends and we were so lucky they were able to share this great day with her.