Jay finishes 5th grade: Continuation!

He was very excited to be done with Elementary school, even though Middle school sounds a little scary. CONGRATS, Jay-Bear! This was the last day of "the binder" and Andy and Jay arguing into the building most mornings. Also, the last week of school Andy didn't have to wear a mask, but Jay still did.

His last elementary feild day.

Here is the ceremony where they talked about his College and Career goals:) Ready for the day!

A bit of the crazy parade:

The night before he had a flag football game, and this was my favorite play: Jay (blue shorts) to Andy (pink socks)

Andy turns 9: A Basketball Birthday Party

Andy couldn't decide on a party theme until about 2 months before the party. He went from Sonic, to Pokemon (again) to football, to finally basketball...and I hadn't done that one yet, so I was game;)

I made him a shirt at the last second, and it was probably his favorite thing:)

The Food: I ended up getting cupcakes and making only one batch myself (and using leftover frosting from the other party), but I did make special pumpkin muffins with chocolate lines like basketballs, and orange chocolate covered oreos with basketball lines. I also drew lines on cuties.

The decorations: I realized pretty quickly that I didn't have much saved for the party because he decided on a theme so late. I got busy with my cricut and make some banners that worked perfectly. I also drew a basketball court and had some balloons outside, but I forgot to take a picture of that.

The activities: Well, the kids played in the backyard, jumped on the tramp, played foosball and ping pong when they weren't eating or at the park, but the main thing Andy wanted to do is to play a game at the park.

The singing: He often ends up conducting the rendition of Happy Birthday, and this was no exception. He was pretty excited about his Vikings gear presents (Cousins Jersey, water bottle, sweat bands), and the small hoop)

He really enjoyed it!

Ellie Turns 5: A Mermaid Birthday Party

Ellie has been wanting a mermaid birthday party ever since she went to a friends mermaid party a little over a year ago. I have been collecting mermaid things since before that for the possibility of one:)

Here she is with the cake I made:

One of the main decorations was the Balloon Arch that have been wanting to try. I got it for under $12 on Amazon, and now I ahve the connecting peice so I can make my own in the future:)

(sidenote...I reused the balloon arch for the Graduation Parade a few days later)..

The Food at the Party. I had some creative food, but the main food was pulled pork sliders and "shells and cheese" (and regular mac and cheese for the picky ones.

The Cake. I had taken the afternoon off to make the cake on Friday because Ellie's bday and the party were on Saturday, but then Andy had stomach pains and couldn't go to school in the morning, so I had the whole day off. Turns out he just had constipation and dehydration.

The Activities. I knew that everyone would kind of run around and do what they wanted...so I had a few activities, and we let kids jump on the tramp and play wherever in the house. I did have a "make a treasure box" activity using things I got for free, and a "take a Shellfie" photo booth area.

Celebrating Ellie

The party favors: