Camp Party Pics

Here are those Camp Party pictures that I promised. (Sorry I don't have time to neatly arrange these like I usually do so they will just have to be large. It should be so much easier than it is. Thanks a lot Blogger.)

The party went down like this:

First the campers arrived and we outfitted them with their camp T-shirts and let them play while we waited for all the guests to arrive.We headed to the Craft Shack to make our Glow in the Dark bug jars and decorate the archery target. The kids filled up their camp canteens at the Hydration Station and snacked on Build-Your-Own-Trail-Mix. They took their Field Guides and searched for "wild animals". The first 3 to find all ten (hidden quite well throughout the backyard) won a gold medal. We had a sack race competion and gave out more medals. We had a tug-o-war.  They swam in the pool and went in the hot tub. The kids got "I Rock" swim bracelets and compasses. They shot archery. We had dinner: hot dogs, corn-on-the-cob, tents filled with chips, and bug pasta. The kids applied bug tattoos. We went inside and sang Happy Birthday and had "Dirt Cupcakes". Then we lit the campfire and made Smores.  The kids slept outside in tents. A little secret: I broke the rules and let Ainsley sleep in the tent. She was SO SO happy. Hey, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and I didn't want her to miss out on. In the morning the kids played Cabela's Camp Adventures on Wii. They made gliders and threw them in the backyard.We made blueberry pancakes with whipcream for breakfast. Then the kids played Capture the Flag. Adrian was so worried there wouldn't be enough kids to play but it worked out and his team won. He was so happy! I really am so glad he had a fantastic party of his own. Even though he was at Evie's Harry Potter Party, and Camp Halfblood Party (which I think I never posted pictures of, I was going to make another blog but didn't. Someday.) it's not the same knowing it wasn't your birthday. So we made it a super big deal and now they are even. The kids are expecting that this is the last one....the grand finale of my party days. But never say never right?

  

Happiness Week 31

July has been a bit of a bust. I was reading my Happiness Journal last night and had to laugh when I saw my intention for the month of July:  To enjoy my time with the kids, relax and complete the items on my "bucket list".  Sometimes life doesn't work out the way we'd like. Between our 4th of July barbecue, Adrian's birthday, preparing to send Evie to camp, Adrian's baseball camp, Ainsley's surgery and recovery, and preparing for Adrian's birthday party July didn't turn out at all the way I'd hoped. Although we did squeeze in some bucket list items it was hardly relaxing or enjoyable. Some days I had to work pretty hard to find the happiness. I'm hoping it comes easily in August.

Daily Happiness Photos - Week 31

07/30 An Unexpected Laugh When You Need It

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We are in the full throws of party planning here. It's exhausting. I had to crack up when Adrian was like "Mommmmmieee?" I was busy on the computer and fully expected him to be begging for desert. But instead when I looked up I saw this. Instantly I felt better. He's pretty good at sensing my moods and being able to cheer me up. I love this kid. Boy am I lucky to have such a great son.

07/31 Party Supplies

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We've been too busy to do a lot of party planning so now I'm running around like a crazy lady the last week trying to find all of the party supplies for Adrian's birthday party that I couldn't order off the internet. I'm not done but it's a good start and it makes me happy that things are coming together.

08/01 Excitement

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Adrian picked the "camp" party theme, and he really wanted some traditional camp activities. It all sounds so easy until you actually try to find things like potato sacks in the real world. That's where the internet comes in handy, especially if you have a kid recovering from surgery. I was worried my order wasn't going to arrive but it did just in the nick of time.  Adrian is SO excited about the party. He's literally jumping for joy.

08/02 Burlap

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I really like burlap. It has such an interesting texture. Again it's something that should be easy to find but isn't. If you want a tablecloth that is as wide as your table without seems. It's going to be perfect for the party theme. I'm also planning on making a pinboard covered with it. Some day.

08/03 Circle Cutter

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I bought this for myself as a Christmas present. I finally got to try it and I'm in LOVE. It cuts perfect circles in any size. I used it for bunches of stuff for the party: the canteen stickers, food labels, it even worked on my t-shirt transfers which made that job a lot easier.

08/04 A Campfire

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This was the best part of the party because I could finally relax. Ainsley crawled up into my lamp and I just sat and soaked up the kids' happiness while they roasted Smores. I've always loved a campfire. Why don't we have them more often?!

08/05 Evening the Score

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I don't know how I turned into a crazy party planner. It's a lot of work and I know it's not worth it but somehow I end up doing it anyway. I've thrown some pretty fabulous parties for my kids, if I do say so myself, like the infamous Harry Potter party or the Camp Halfbood Party for Evie. Adrian's had good parties too, just not quite like that. I knew I had to throw a really spectacular party for Adrian or risk hearing about how he got shortchanged and we must have "loved Evie best" for the rest of my life. The party was fantastic and Adrian had the best time! The party ended with his team winning at capture the flag. I think we've evened the score. Maybe this was the grand finale' party.

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I will try to post party pictures later this week and give an update on Ainsley's recovery. She'll be resuming speech therapy and really needs to get back on track swallowing post surgery. My brother-in-law finished drywalling the playhouse so I'm hoping we can get it painted so the kids can start using it. I hope you have a great week!

To view a slideshow of the entire Happiness Photo Project click here. Confused about what this is or why I'm doing it? Click here for an explanation of what it's all about.

Happiness Week 30

It's been a tough week. Ainsley's recovery has been difficult. Despite alternating pain meds every 3 hours she's still in a lot of pain. More than I'd expect considering the other painful surgeries she's been through. I really thought this would be easier. Though actually its hard to tell, perhaps the drooling is making her as unhappy as the pain. It is a challenge. We are suctioning constantly. And wiping up drool all day. She doesn't want to wear clothes because she gets soaked. This level of care reminds me of the good ole' days back before Ainsley had her fundoplication. Life was tough back then. Still is, but in different ways. Even so there were a few moments of happiness squeezed in this week.

Daily Happiness Photos - Week 30

07/23 Outpatient Surgery

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I love when we get to go home after a surgery. It's easier for Ainsley to recover. They nearly admitted us because of what appeared to be some scary apneas, but I convinced them to let us go since we have a pulse oximeter and oxygen at home. It was the right call. She was fine once she was home and didn't need it.

07/24 Clean Toilets

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I really hate it when the toilets get gross. Ours had been looking bad for a couple weeks and something seemed to be growing on one of them. (I know, seriously. Yuck!) We've been really busy. So the whole house is in need of a good cleaning but for now the bathrooms will have to do. I wish I'd squeezed an hour out of my day much sooner, because I feel so much better with this done. I need a week without kids to take care of the rest.

07/25 The First Smile

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I had to drive Adrian to baseball camp to fulfill my days of the carpool. Ainsley was pretty miserable but when I went to get her out of the car she pointed at the driver seat so I put her there and let her play for a few minutes. She thought it was da BOMB! She even put on the seat belt. The first smiles after your child has had surgery are just SO wonderful!

07/26 Sun & Sunglasses

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Our nurse was here today and I really needed the break! Even though it's not her fault I was getting angry with Ainsley because she is so needy right now. (Steve's work schedule right now pretty much means he's gone until bedtime every night.) It was nice to drive carpool without dragging Ainsley with me. It was a sunny day and coincidentally my new prescription sunglasses came in so I was able to pick them up. Ainsley broke my old pair a few years ago. Then I went and watched the boys play baseball at camp before bringing them back to the house. It was so nice to be able to be out in the sun comfortably.

07/27 Horse Camp

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We picked Evie up from Horse Camp today.  It makes me so happy that she has been able to go! I would have loved to do this as a girl! I think it's a great confidence builder for kids to stay away from home for a week. But what's even better about this camp is that they learn horsemanship and take responsibility for their own horse, learning all about tack and grooming. I've seen a real difference in Evie's riding ability since last year. It's very cool that she's learned how to ride a horse.

07/28 The Perfect Bite

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For some weird reason I was having a total craving all morning for a Kraut dog. It reminded me of when I was pregnant with Evie and craved Ruebens. I was so looking forward to lunchtime. It was delicious! The perfect bite! That doesn't happen very often. Nothing's ever tasted so good. 

07/29 Being A Smoothie Hero

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If you've never made homemade smoothies for your kids, DO. If you have then you know what I mean, it makes you an instant hero in their book. I admit sometimes I'm a mean mom. But smoothies make up for it, I can tell by the look on my kids' faces that all is forgiven. Here is a simple recipe. Combine equal parts: vanilla yogurt, frozen blueberries (I always keep a bag in the freezer), and frozen banana slices.  You may or may not want to add ice to extend your smoothie, or cut the intense fruitiness of this recipe. Add a splash of milk to thin, more if you add more ice. If your blender doesn't have a smoothie setting, look here for blending tips.  These are so healthy and delicious! And easy!

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I hope you have a good week. I am planning yet another birthday party, so I probably won't be doing much else.

To view a slideshow of the entire Happiness Photo Project click here. Confused about what this is or why I'm doing it? Click here for an explanation of what it's all about.