This is Hadley's eighth birthday party and I admit, I usually go over the top. Jeff says its to make-up for the void of birthday parties I had while growing-up. I think it's because I love to throw a party! This year I actually think I struck the balance, and I had a great time...at a kids party....at MY house! I know...8 must be the magical age!
We had a doll party, and the girls brought their American Girl or other doll. Here's Hadley with her banner in the background.
That banner is a story in itself. I've had a light schedule at work and so was able to e-mail a banner to Kinko's to print for the party. (Where's the attached, dot matrix computer paper when you need it? :)
We showed up at Kinko's on the eve of the birthday party and the man behind the counter was making such a big deal about how lucky Hadley was to have a banner for her birthday. I was starting to pat myself on the back for obviously being such a great mother when he told me my total would be $250+.
What?
I guess the price was mis-quoted to me on the phone, and it was $9 a foot...not $9 total. Well...I'm not THAT over the top...so instead of bringing home our pretty pink banners...we came home with a $10 black and white banner and we decorated it with markers and glitter. I think it did the job without giving my husband a heart attack. :)
The girls all fixed their dolls hair when they arrived...and put in little happy birthday headbands.
(Which one of these things isn't like the others?)After that they made little matching bracelets for themselves and their dolls. They were so cute!
We played some games that American Girls from different time periods would have played. The girls loved the games! Who would have thought that hiding rocks in shoes and passing rings would be a hit. Move over gameboy! Here's a cute picture of Hadley and Maya passing rings.
After that we had cake.
Sang Happy Birthday.
Ate cake in big Brimhall bites!
The girls played, "whoever has_________raise their hand!" While we ate cake. Some of the questions were..."whoever has a little sister w/Downs Syndrome raise their hands (2 girls proudly raised their hands:), Who's dad ...er..
parent is a doctor? That was a funny one. It was funny to hear them try to explain what kind of doctor their dad/mom was. :)
We opened presents.
And then this is the random dog that ran into our house to make the party complete. I mean, what's a party without a random dog running in your house?!?!
Overall, we had a great time. I really relaxed and enjoyed it and they were all so good. (Hope the girls had fun. :)
I am volunteering now to do any of your children's 8th birthday parties. It's the perfect age. Now I'm dreading 9, it can only be downhill from here. :)
Hadley is like Jeff in so many ways. She always wants to do what's right, no matter how hard it might be. She is just genuinely good and innocent. I can't believe this day is here! I am so proud of her. She has resolved to be perfect from her baptism on (0kay, maybe she's got a little bit of a problem with perfectionism from my side of the family).
