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!

 

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.