A [Pretend] Sleepover Party

Every other year, my kids get to have a birthday party of their choosing. Turning eight, this is Brooke's year and she wanted a "pretend" slumber party where the kids get to stay out later than they normally would, do slumber party-ish type activities, but go home and sleep soundly in their own beds. It's a win-win. The kids have fun, and the parents do not have to contend with overly tired and cranky kids recovering for the next two days.

The invitation: A sleeping bag that we stitched up the sides.

The girls arrived and decorated their little canvas tote bags.

They went home with a tote filled with a nail file, nail polish, wash cloth and a head band.

Pizza Pizza!

Christian is the lone boy in the midst of 13 girls. He'll thank us one day.

Spa treatments for the birthday guests:

Nails

Facials and Cucumber eyes

Freeze Dance - which proved to be difficult for most of the girls because they were watching themselves on TV - major distraction - but fun. It's hard to concentrate on freezing when the music stops when you are having so much fun watching yourself dance on a big screen! Lots of squeals, lots of grooving.

Instead of a cake, Brooke wanted to do ice cream sundaes, so we pre-scooped the ice cream into a 'cake' so she could blow out the candles, and the sundae line could go more quickly.

Easy, fun, and enjoyed by all. Definitely a one-size-fits-all dessert.

Brooke has a a thing for whipped cream . . .

Time to take the sundaes out front for movie time: Hannah Montana

We've been having a bit of a heat wave and it has worked to our benefit - it was a nice, warm night and perfectly pleasant to be outside.

The kids loved the movie and being in the outdoor setting made it even more fun.

I think I need to apologize to my neighbors, though. It was a bit loud and I'm sure they were wondering what was going on. Again.

An impromptu dance after the movie . . .

Everyone was poppin, lockin, polka dottin'

Cousin Domonique came after she got off work - the kids were so excited!

Present Time

Present Time

Open the presents to see what's inside!

Happy Birthday Brookie Boo!

It was a fun party - a total success!!