Retro: Heidi's Birthday Party

These are not just fun family photos--consider them a manual on how to throw an awesome party without actually having to BE awesome yourself.

Heidi had been talking about her birthday party since Addie had hers in November. So even though I was a useless lump of sad mess when I got home from AZ, my sisterfriends came to the rescue yet again. First, they came the night after we got home and brought me chicken soup (that really was for the soul), cheese bread, salad, brownies, tulips, a card and SOOOOO much love, I was able to plan the party, create, and distribute THESE invitations. I got on the ol' world wide web and found printable coupons for deep discounts and Papa Murphy's Pizza, made some goody bags, and baked some cupcakes, and that was about the extent of my mama mojo. Luckily, Aunt Debbie (my dear sisterfriend and Heidi's best pal) came to the rescue!...

First, she brought her awesome 13-year old daughter to help us set up. They brought vines and monkeys and a ring toss game to decorate with.

So tip #1 is ask a super-talented, enthusiastic friend to help. Tip#2 is invite the Beehives (12-13 y.o. girls at church) to come help, too. They are so good with the little kids!

While the guests arrived at various times, Debbie and Heidi read a fun jungle-themed storybook to the kids and they pretended to be jungle animals.

Tip #3 is have a good group warm-up activity.
Seriously, the kids just ate it up...Debbie ROCKS with kids!

[PS: you see two of my other sisterfriends in the background there--Kim Strupp & Melissa Westenskow--angels, they are]

After everyone had arrived, Deb took the kids out back for a safari--she had hid tiny plastic jungle animals all over the yard and the kids went wild looking for them!

Tip #4: weather permitting, have energetic outdoor activities, preferably led by said Beehives or awesome energetic friend.

Here are the kids with their jungle animals. I will now attempt to name them all:

back: Addie, Rosalie, Natalie, Rachel, Hailey W., Marissa, Suzy, Chloe, Jackson, Tyler, Hailey S., Jared; front mob: Lauryn, Ashlan, Lydia, Heidi, Danny, Gabe, Ashley, James, and Hannah.Heidi loved having her school friends over and pushing them on the swings.

Rachel, Chloe (on swing), Heidi, and Natalie (on swing).

Ashley Strupp is the love of James' life.

Addie, Aunt Debbie, and Cousin Rosalie on safari

Baby Suzy Westenskow is the life of every party.

Rachel set up quite the jungle

(we were so blessed with good weather! at least until the winds kicked up)

Tyler and Cousin Danny are in the same first grade class.

Cuties: Kim and Jason Strupp

Kids playing freeze dance or something

(notice James is wearing his train engineer overalls)

Little Wyatte Claar came to party with his Grandma (my sisterfriend Jenn) while his daddy is in Afghanistan :(

I think Jason was contemplating eating those animals!

Aunt Debbie leading another fun outdoor game

with help from THREE Beehives (by this time, Michaela and Marissa had joined the fun)

Finally, we served Pizza, lemonade, and cupcakes!

Tip#5: have simple foods you can eat with your hands!

Some friends ate outside...

Heidi blew out her candles & made a wish

Some friends ate in the house...and after cupcakes, we said good bye to all our guests and our magnificent helpers (there was a bridal shower right after Heidi's party).

TIP#...whatever: Open gifts AFTER the party (unless the givers insist) because it's a lot calmer that way and easier to keep track for thank you notes.

PS: I just had to show you what the Strupps got for Heidi (Trevor Strupp is our dentist and Kim is a hygienist)..."Dentist Barbie!" HAHAHA.