Seryn & Chase...

...turns a year older!

A couple months ago, I asked the girls what kind of party they wanted for their upcoming birthdays.  

Sailor said, "I want a 'Sally Party'!" ("Nightmare Before Christmas" themed)

"And Daddy wants a 'Donut Party'."

"And Seryn wants a 'Minnie Party.'"

Months went by and just a week prior to Seryn's day, I asked them both again and nothing changed.

Once it was said, Seryn didn't waver from the Minnie idea.  When the word "party" was repeated, Seryn would yell over and over and over again, 

"Minnie, Minnie, MINNIE!"

Well, Seryn got her little "Minnie Party,"  but because life got in the way it was a tiny,  last-minute planned event with the family.

The best part was Seryn got to share her party with her Grandma (whose birthday lands just a couple days before hers), because she came into town for an unexpected visit!  

The night before I set up her Minnie stuff  so Ser could wake up and see that obviously the long-awaited "Minnie Party" was happening!

She woke up to a room full of balloons, ran through her toliet paper covered doorway, and squealed when she saw Minnie!

We spent the day at home.  Once Grandma & Uncle Chavis got into town, we opened presents, ate dinner, & had cake and ice cream. 

"Seryn & Ket"

Seryn's favorite gift this year was the a big "Disney Princess" coloring book and box of crayons she got from Grandma. Everyday since then she has pulled it out from among her coloring books, plastering the many princess stickers everywhere, and scribbling every other page.  It didn't take long for every page to get filled up and used.

She also enjoys her Minnie shirt and new pair of shiny shoes from Grandma Shanna. :)

Happy Birthday, Seryn!!!

Fast-forward 4 days...

Happy Birthday, Chase!!!

The day before I asked the girls if we should plan a party for Daddy, and with a slight tilt of the head Sailor responded with, "Yeah!"--it was as if she didn't realize she could do that and since the idea was brought up it was a no-brainer.

So we got some paper and pens out to write out a list of things we wanted at the party.  I let them plan every single detail.  I didn't do any prompting....this was so fun to do because generally kids's imaginations are awesome.

I started off asking a few questions to get them brainstorming- 

"Who should come to the party?"

"What will make the party fun?"

"What kind of decorations should we use?"

Here is the list the girls (mostly Sailor) created:

Below is mine & Seryn's.

 We started running around the house collecting all the things we had so we were crossing off as we went.

And Sailor's list.

We wanted to "surprise" Daddy so Sailor came up with a great idea to hide the lists.  Obviously to her, the perfect place for that was a little treasure box sitting next to my side of the bed.

The following morning we went to the grocery store to get the last few things on the list.  So the girls held on to their lists as they sat in the cart.  This was the most fun I've had at a grocery store in a long time.  We were all shopping together, and as we went along Sailor was coming up with even better ideas!

Like, "A Kitty Cat Balloon."

"...and a 'Pumpkin Balloon', we don't need a real pumpkin."

After all the fun at the store,  we went home and decorated the house.  With a little help from me, they did a great job. :)

Below are my favorite details:
Sailor initially wanted a pumpkin at the party, until she changed her mind to a "pumpkin balloon."  And since pumpkin balloons are hard to find in August, she settled for a drawing of one.

...Who doesn't use napkins for wall decor?!...

...OR draw on a wrapping paper tube and then plaster it to the wall with tape and push pins?!

such clever designers I have on my hands.... :)

Needless to say, they were proud!

 Once Chase got home from work, we "WOW'd" him with our artistic creation and then he ran over to the driving range with his brother.  Once he made it home we went out to the pool for a combined pool party-it was definitely a PARTY!

Here's a picture of all the mommy-friends present. We will sorely miss them and all their families when we leave. :(

Happy 28th, Chase!!!

We love you.