The Best Party Ever

Harper had a blast at her party.  All the kids spent the whole time running around and playing outside.  There was a lot to play on, her kiddie house and trampoline; plus her new pool from KK and her new play set and swing set.  Plus bubbles and squirt guns that the kids loved.  They enjoyed playing with each thing and going back and forth.  They had such a good time and they all got along.  It's so funny how kids don't really care who they are playing with, they just love playing with other kids.  

At the last minute, we got a huge tarp and added water and soap.  The kids loved being in charge of the hose and spraying the tarp.  They ran around and slid up and down.  They loved it!  We of course had an injury, I may have put too much soap, but Quinlan was ok after some love.  So they kept going and had a blast.  

Harper's Birthday Party

About a month before Harper's birthday, I asked her what kind of party she wanted to have.  Before I could even offer suggestions, she said Frozen of course.  I gave her a ton of options, and no matter what she wanted Frozen.  Since it was summer, we knew we would do an outdoor party and we added lots of water to keep the kids cool.  We had been working on the backyard and it was about halfway done.  Cody finished the play set at 8pm the night before.  We spent all Saturday cooking and baking and decorating.  Serena came over and helped with the baking while Cody mowed the yard and we set up all the stuff outside.  

We made hotdogs because they are quick and easy and a few sides.  We put a banner of Anna and Elsa up in the kitchen (where it stayed for quite a while).  Harper loved looking at it and telling everyone about Frozen.  We also made Elsa princess crowns and Sven reindeer antlers.  Harper just loved that everything was Elsa blue and Anna pink.  

Kara also came up early and helped set up and get everything ready.  We had Harper open her gift early, before the chaos started.  She loves Auntie Kara and was so happy with all the stuff she picked out for her.  She got a princess matching game that she loves, a Frozen dinner plate, and some new Frozen panties.  Harper loved it all and was just so happy to spend time with Kara.  She also had a few guests right at the beginning who brought her a gift.  Uncle Robert and Aunt Kita could only stay for a little bit so they brought her gift by and said hello.  Then, the Shilling's came second and Aaron handed her a gift.  She opened it and then gave Aaron this huge hug.  He stood there and acted like he was too cool for the hug, but he smiled so big and smirked and I just knew - he was happy too.  :)

Father's Day with Pop

We celebrated Father's Day with my dad the weekend before because the McCool's were going to be in Padre the next weekend.  It also gave us a chance to celebrate Taylor's 18th birthday and Cody's 33rd birthday too.  We got to Argyle and the kids ran around and played with each other and Tay and Car.  They played toys and balls and hide and seek for an hour without stopping.  Reese played with me for a bit and showed me how she is learning to jump.  She gets bigger every time I see her!

After awhile, we decided to go outside and let the kids play in the pool and do the slip 'n' slide.  Grayson loved it and went down it a hundred times.  Harper tried once or twice but spent most of her time playing in the pool with Reese or being the person who sprays the slip 'n' slide to keep it wet.  She always seems to like being in charge instead of actually doing the activity.  Reesey had a new bathing suit and looked so cute.  She mostly just sat around the kiddie pool and played with Carleigh. Eventually, Grayson convinced Brian and my dad to slip 'n' slide too and it was the best 30 minutes.  Sometimes they hit the ground so hard it looked like it hurt.  Sometimes they didn't even slide at all.  But they added some tarps to the end and some soap to make it slippery and suddenly they were having a blast.  

We went inside and had dinner, which is always difficult because the kids are always done in 5 minutes and seem to get in a bit of trouble while we eat.  But then we opened presents for Gary, Taylor and Carleigh.  June is always full of celebrations!  We had strawberry cake, Cody and Taylor's favorite and then relaxed for a little while and let the kids run crazy.  We bathed quickly and headed out just in time for Harper to crash in the car.  It's always a full, fun day with family.