Grace's Birthday Party

    As I shared earlier, Grace's birthday party got backed up a few weeks because of my nose reconstruction surgery (that's not the technical name for the surgery, it's just what it was).  I felt really badly about it, but she is getting a party, even though it's a bit later.  She handed out her flip flop invitations a week and a half ago, and the replies came in.

    Grace decided that it should be a beach theme.  I scoured the party planning blogs searching for inspiration.  I received inspiration, and also a healthy dose of humility.  I decided that I could not compare to those creative genius's, we would make due.  After a trip to my favourite spot, the dollar store, I was inspired.  I decided that instead of balloons, I would string up pool toys.  I strung 5 beach balls together with fishing line.  I also found these adorable blow up flamingos and sharks ( I caught Elly riding one of the sharks this morning).  Balloons are good for a few hours, but pool toys should last a day or so (more if you don't live at our house).

    The dollar store also sold inflatable pools.  I do not personally know anyone or anything that could swim in these inflatable pools, but they made really cute coolers for the drinks.  I provided orange pop, cola, and drink boxes for those crazy kids who don't like pop.

    Instead of using bowls, we used the largest sand pails that the dollar store sold.  I used a plastic boat as a dip bowl.  I scattered around shovels and other small sand toys to make it look cute.

    Instead of a cake, I decided on cup cakes.  We discovered gummy sharks at Walmart, and that served as the inspiration for the cupcakes.  I learned a very valuable lesson while making these cupcakes, don't use "Extra Value" icing.  I thought that it would save valuable time to purchase icing as opposed to my usual homemade icing... big mistake.  The "extra value" (Walmart's store brand) was 50 cents cheaper than the Duncan Hines, what could the big difference be ... big mistake.  I spooned the icing out of the tubs into a bowl, and mixed in the blue food colouring gel.  It was the consistency of thick water.  I did not have time to use anything else.  After icing the cupcakes, I put a gummy shark on the top of each.  The sharks kept sliding off,  I decided to concede defeat.

    The party went off without a hitch.  Grace had a great time, and so did all of her friends.  Riley and Rowan are excited for their turn in two weeks ( we are doing an exact repeat, with the inflatables and everything).  It was a great day.  I did not have to spend my day cleaning, only to have it destroyed by crazy party kids.  We had two life guards at the pool, which was good, because my swimming skills are not that great.  The weather was perfect.  It was a great day!

Baby carrots, cucumbers, and celery with a dip in the boat.