Birthday Weekend Marathon
Two birthday parties, one sleepover, in one weekend equals a birthday weekend marathon that I am proud to say that I succeeded in crossing the finish line!
It all began Friday evening, October 12 between cleaning our house and baking Elora Danan the ultimate princess cake for her 4th Birthday Princess Party the following day, I didn't get to bed until 3 a.m. Saturday morning. With the final touches to the cake to be made, snacks to be prepared, decorations to be hung, and laundry to be put away, I was on the go from the moment I awoke...barely 9 a.m. The many dressed up princesses arrived around 2 p.m. and the party was immediately underway, beginning with playtime in Elora's room. Between the princess crown craft, place the jewel on the crown sticker game, and free time in Elora's room (which became scattered through the house), the girls were famished. Thus, the snacks and princess castle cake were a hit. Although, I will admit that it was rather painful to watch my many hours of creation be devoured in only minutes. After much fun, the princess party came to an end around 4:30 p.m...leaving me just enough time to take down decorations and clean up the "princess" mess before the sleepover began.
At 6:30 p.m. Draven's three friends (from left to right in first picture, Moe, cousin Jason, Draven, James) and Elora's one friend, Layla, arrived for the first Olson home sleepover. It was an exciting night filled with painting, glow cords/necklaces, imaginary play, camping out on the floor (air mattress style), and relaxing with movies and popcorn. With the last pair of little eyes to close and lights out just before midnight, I was granted quiet time to bake Draven's birthday cake for the following day. Sunday morning was an early one as Moe was up and getting the other boys up to play at 7:30 a.m. After much play and a big pancake breakfast, the sleepover had come to an end but I was informed by all the boys that it was the "BEST sleepover EVER!". Shortly following, Draven, Elora, and I were out the door "delivering" children to their homes so that we could make it to church by 11 a.m. followed by rushing to the pool to decorate for Draven's birthday party.
After rushed decorations and food preparation, guests for Draven's 6th Birthday Pokemon Party arrived at 2:30 p.m. for fun in the swimming pool. I don't think those kids knew how exciting it would really be when Draven's daddy stepped into that kiddie pool. Draven was so proud of his daddy, as he took on over half of the kids in the water that continued to jump, climb, and latch onto him. I will have to admit that it was rather impressive and I too am proud to have such an interactive dad, father our children. Well after much wrestling, climbing, jumping, and swimming in the pool, the 20 children were more than ready to eat. Once dressed, we gave the children 15 minutes of quite time to eat snacks and watch the beginning of a Pokemon movie (or maybe is was for my sanity...?), which was then followed by the "coolest" Pokemon cake that also was painful to watch be devoured so quickly. Lastly, the sugar had kicked in, the present opening was chaotic, and parents arrived shortly before I was ready for them. However, thanks were given, children went home, the mess was cleaned up, decorations were taken down, and at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 14, I was granted the "beginning" of my relaxing weekend...with work to be following that next morning at 8 a.m.
Thus, although it was a weekend of short-lived appreciation, minimal sleep, and much time lost, I succeeded as my children told me it was the "BEST", their smiles/excitement were priceless, and just knowing I do not have to do another birthday like that for a whole year, makes all the difference.
It all began Friday evening, October 12 between cleaning our house and baking Elora Danan the ultimate princess cake for her 4th Birthday Princess Party the following day, I didn't get to bed until 3 a.m. Saturday morning. With the final touches to the cake to be made, snacks to be prepared, decorations to be hung, and laundry to be put away, I was on the go from the moment I awoke...barely 9 a.m. The many dressed up princesses arrived around 2 p.m. and the party was immediately underway, beginning with playtime in Elora's room. Between the princess crown craft, place the jewel on the crown sticker game, and free time in Elora's room (which became scattered through the house), the girls were famished. Thus, the snacks and princess castle cake were a hit. Although, I will admit that it was rather painful to watch my many hours of creation be devoured in only minutes. After much fun, the princess party came to an end around 4:30 p.m...leaving me just enough time to take down decorations and clean up the "princess" mess before the sleepover began.
At 6:30 p.m. Draven's three friends (from left to right in first picture, Moe, cousin Jason, Draven, James) and Elora's one friend, Layla, arrived for the first Olson home sleepover. It was an exciting night filled with painting, glow cords/necklaces, imaginary play, camping out on the floor (air mattress style), and relaxing with movies and popcorn. With the last pair of little eyes to close and lights out just before midnight, I was granted quiet time to bake Draven's birthday cake for the following day. Sunday morning was an early one as Moe was up and getting the other boys up to play at 7:30 a.m. After much play and a big pancake breakfast, the sleepover had come to an end but I was informed by all the boys that it was the "BEST sleepover EVER!". Shortly following, Draven, Elora, and I were out the door "delivering" children to their homes so that we could make it to church by 11 a.m. followed by rushing to the pool to decorate for Draven's birthday party. After rushed decorations and food preparation, guests for Draven's 6th Birthday Pokemon Party arrived at 2:30 p.m. for fun in the swimming pool. I don't think those kids knew how exciting it would really be when Draven's daddy stepped into that kiddie pool. Draven was so proud of his daddy, as he took on over half of the kids in the water that continued to jump, climb, and latch onto him. I will have to admit that it was rather impressive and I too am proud to have such an interactive dad, father our children. Well after much wrestling, climbing, jumping, and swimming in the pool, the 20 children were more than ready to eat. Once dressed, we gave the children 15 minutes of quite time to eat snacks and watch the beginning of a Pokemon movie (or maybe is was for my sanity...?), which was then followed by the "coolest" Pokemon cake that also was painful to watch be devoured so quickly. Lastly, the sugar had kicked in, the present opening was chaotic, and parents arrived shortly before I was ready for them. However, thanks were given, children went home, the mess was cleaned up, decorations were taken down, and at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 14, I was granted the "beginning" of my relaxing weekend...with work to be following that next morning at 8 a.m.Thus, although it was a weekend of short-lived appreciation, minimal sleep, and much time lost, I succeeded as my children told me it was the "BEST", their smiles/excitement were priceless, and just knowing I do not have to do another birthday like that for a whole year, makes all the difference.
posted by Blessed at 9:24 PM
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