Six+ Weeks Before the party:
Me: Mara, what kind of birthday party do you want to have?
Mara: Hello Kitty

Me: Great. Where do you want to have the party? Gymnastics?
Mara: No! Bouncy party!

Me: Are you sure, you loved Thane’s gymnastics party.
Mara: No, Bounce Bounce Bounce

….

Jay and I scout out places and try to pick the least evil bouncy party. A tough task. Have I mentioned how much I do not like bouncy parties?

Place booked. Reserved. Small snag with booking it same day as a friend’s daughter’s Sweet 16 (more to come) but all in all no snags with date. Got one RSVP no.

Nouna works on invitations and creates an awesome Hello Kitty invite. I buy favors and plan her outfit: the Hello Kitty dress from H&M I got in Sweden.

Invitations Sent. Cake Pops ordered (Yes, Cake Pops, not cake. Easiest thing ever)
….

Two Weeks Before Party:
Thane: Mara are you excited about your party?
Mara: Yay, Bouncy Hello Kitty Party!!!
Thane: Don’t you want to have a Toy Story party and be Jesse???
Mara: Yay, Toy Story Party! Woody!
Me: Umm…but you love hello kitty. [Looking at Jay for help.]
Jay: [Shrugs shoulders] She does love Woody.
Mara: Hello Kitty AND Toy Story
Me: [Leaves Room]

Later…
Mara: Hello Kitty, Hello Kitty, Hello Kitty
Me: Oh Thank God.

…
Day of the Party

It’s my party and I will cry if I want to gives new meaning to a 3 year old who did not nap enough. She falls asleep in the car and we get set up while she naps with Jay. Waking her up is no small task. But she does, and warms up after seeing “Bouncies!!!”

The rest can best be shared with pictures! It was a fabulous party in no small thanks to everyone that was there. So much fun and only a few tears. We had a fantastic turnout and the kids were exhausted by the end. Thanks so much everyone! Happy 3rd Birthday, Koukla!

Here is the video I referenced Christmas Eve that never got posted due to technical difficulties.

Maybe Aunt Joann will post the video of Uncle Terry.

Christmas Eve

This weekend was a birthday party extravaganza.

First, we had a busy sports day on Saturday followed by a party for Blake, Thane’s BFF at school. Before we were even out the door, Thane was asking to come back to Blake’s house.

On Sunday, we had a Build A Bear birthday for his school friend Sarah, whose mom and I have been friends for over seven years. Mara got to go, too and it was her first Build A Bear experience. She named the Puppy she made Iron Man there but then changed his name later to “Puppy Dog.” I think it suited him more too.

Sarah is quite girly girl and rocked the pink clothes and feather boa. Thane loved the cupcakes so much he had TWO! Mara loved on her new puppy. I loved the monogrammed confetti.

So clearly, a great time was had by all. Thane and Mara have even taken their matching Build-A-Puppies to school each day.

Today is Thursday, and the party is a fun but distant memory….

…until I go to Rachel’s blog this morning…

….and find this….

Click on the picture to get the full view. In all its glory.

Happy Birthday, Sarah!!!