Carnival

Sometime in early June, M began handwriting invitations to what she was calling a "scooter party on July 15th", and began handing them out before she cleared it with me. But, as with most things with my kids, if I can roll with it, I will try. So the scooter party morphed into a carnival (with a scooter obstacle course), and went from a guest list of 5, to 8, to 20, to 40. Game ideas were presented to me weekly: "I know! I know mom, lets have a booth with 4 words, and 3 of them will rhyme and one of them won't, and the kids have to say which one doesn't rhyme!" M planned a good portion of it, and I got the rest of my ideas from this Martha Stewart Party.

For once I actually woke up on a party day excited. I was amazed that such a wide age range had a good time, even a few 13 year olds who asked me if I am doing it next year.

Fishing booth (thanks Jodi!)

Simple and cheap were my two rules for this party (especially with M's growing guest list) So for "booths" I hung dollar store tablecloths from the deck, and for banners, strung balloons.

Wonderful older neighbor kids (and some moms) worked the booths. In this popular game, kids had to spray away ping pong balls off of golf tees.

Bryan drew nonstop for 2 hours, giving each guest a caricature. And I must note that caricatures are among his least favorite use of his talent. But for M, he would do about anything.

Emily willingly provided her goats for the petting zoo portion. So cool. The kids loved this.

M's "Rhyme Time" game.

Bryan sketching...

Scooter obstacle course.

I tried to keep prizes non-sugary and cheap. These mustaches, from this amazing blog.

More prizes: Bookmarks I designed, and Scrabble zipper pulls (so cheap, so easy, and so cool).

I wish I would have had more time to properly arrange and photograph the treat table, but I was rushing around. For the snacks we had popcorn - M labeled all the bags, and drinks that were red, yellow and blue. I even had them arranged nicely, but never go to take the picture in time. I kind of have color OCD so you'll have to forgive this long footnote.