Monday, September 19, 2016

Camp Laura

Laura's been helping plan her birthday parties since her Rapunzel third birthday party. I fondly remember her sitting on my lap as we looked at Pinterest ideas and I think we made her yellow yarn wig in July that year. Fast forward to her seventh birthday and she has this birthday planning thing all figured out. She created hand-made invitations for all of her friends and before I knew it the guest list had grown to 14 kids (not counting Sam and herself). I figured the chances of all of Laura's friends being able to attend were slim so I reluctantly agreed. Guess what, everyone could come. Eric & I had 16 kids, 3 hours, a whistle, and a plan masterminded by a first grader. Good Lord!
Hot dogs, chips, apple slices, & pink lemonade were served. We didn't plan on places to sit so kids were scattered everywhere.


We had "free play" time and Laura created the break-out groups with location stations on clothes pins. The kids were so excited to go to their next free play spot. It's amazing how a poster board and timed play can be so motivating.
Three legged race. Sam and Abby were partners (and the same size).


It's not a party unless someone has to dig into cool-whip topping with their face. Laura was able to dig out her 3 gummy worms in 24 seconds.


Light-up balloon volleyball. I'm calling it a win that nobody got a black-eye.



Not long after this picture was taken and the sun set, a neighbor was walking down the path and tripped on the sidewalk chalk container that got left out. Oops!





 





The party was a success and Laura told me it was her best birthday ever. I was reminded again of one of my favorite Laura Ingalls quotes, "Sometimes it's the simplest things that are the real ones after all." Happy Birthday, Laura!
 

Sunday, September 4, 2016

TRI Harder

Eric set a new personal record at the Des Moines Triathlon (formerly known as the Hy-Vee Triatlon) today.
Sam and Laura slept in their clothes the night before to make for a quick transition out the door in the morning. When I woke Sam at 5:45am, he wanted to know why Daddy's race was in the middle of the night. 
Nevertheless, the race was a success and at the end of the day I was a pretty proud wife and mama.