The Experimental Combined Party

This year I decided to try something new and combine EZ and Netta's birthday parties. I was thinking it would save me stress and money. Well it saved me money, but I am not so sure about the stress. After some convincing they both settled on having the party at one of those inflatable places called Texas Jumping Beans. We have been to quite a few parties there and everyone always has a blast. Well ours got off to a rocky start. When we got there a random friend of the owner was there to open up and nothing was inflated. It was a good 20 minutes before an actual employee showed up. So we all got to stand around for awhile waiting for them to get their act together. Then things got a little crazy when way more people showed up then had RSVP'd. I was surprised at how many families brought extra children that weren't invited and how many had both parents stay. There is a limit to how many kids are included with the party and I could have easily been charged another $50, but luckily since they were so unorganized with no one there to check people in at the beginning they didn't charge me any extra. So I guess on the plus side, the two stressers saved me money. Of course we had to have two very different cakes: Beyblades and Dora. At one point I had contemplated making EZ's cake, but luckily my common sense won that debate and I left it to the pros. I didn't need any more craziness. 

What was really funny was how particular the kids were about what kind of cupcake they got. Heaven forbid a boy accidentally get a piece of the Dora cake. In fact, one of EZ's friends didn't like the vanilla Beyblade cupake he got, but at that point we only had chocolate Dora cupcakes left, so I gave him one and he literally had such a panic attack someone had to find his mom and get his inhaler. 

Amid all the chaos we kind of ran out of time to open presents, but EZ was insistent that he open his there so he quickly ripped through them as we were cleaning up. So classy. 

Netta on the other hand was having to much fun to worry about presents, so we ended up opening hers at home. I have never not opened presents at the party, but I was not going to add more stress trying to make it happen this time. 

In the end I was a bit overwhelmed, but both Netta and EZ had a blast and that is really what it was all about. 

Netta's Dance Recital

Netta had her dance recital on May 12th. She was SOO excited to dance on the stage and ever since then she keeps asking when she gets to do it again. She also keeps asking if she can wear her "recital makeup" again. Seeing as it involved very blue eye shadow and red lipstick that kind of made her look like an 80s hooker, I am probably going to keep saying no. I let her wear some pink eye shadow other day and she kept complaining that she couldn't see it and that she wanted the blue. We may have created a monster.

I am glad she enjoyed it so much, because it was a frickin lot of work. We had to get there an hour and half early for dress rehearsal, which was kind of a bit much for the little kids. Especially since Netta's class only did one dance that lasted about 1 minute 30 seconds. Then there was the fun of trying to keep her entertained back stage. It did not go super well. This picture of Netta and I kind of sums up how we both felt. We are smiling, but the smiles look a little forced.

Netta's Last Day of School

Netta has adored preschool this year and so have I! They do the best crafts and learn so much that I could never teach her at home with King running around. On Thursdays they always have Chapel where they talk about some church theme and sing songs. Normally the kids all sit in a semi-circle, but I guess with all the excitement of the last day, some kids decided to run up and sing with the teachers. Well Netta was not going to miss out on a chance to be in the limelight so as soon as 1 or 2 kids run up she was up there as well.

Today was also my day to volunteer as the parent helper, so I got to spend the day with Netta and her little friends. We got to celebrate her birthday. One more chance for Netta to get more attention. Here she is with her friend Avery.

Netta and her friends got to enjoy the frog cupcakes I made the day before. Well, except for the one little girl who has some kind of allergy and had to eat a muffin. Poor child.

We are so in love with our preschool and I am seriously debating putting King in it a bit ahead of schedule. I know I have had 3 kids at home before, but for some reason the thought seems so much more daunting this time around. I guess we will just wait and see how things go when the new baby arrives.