Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Back to School Parties

I bought an invitation maker app on my phone, and these invites took SSSSOOOOO long to make. And they aren't even cute at all. 
I should have just created at invitation with the stuff I have, taken a picture, and sent it in a group text. 

Presley pretty much made the invites for me.

Ry's party was a Sunday Sundae party.
He really wanted to invite both boys and girls this year. 
We've never had a boy/girl party before, but he truly is friends with everyone. 
He was so thoughtful with who he invited, making sure that each friend had at least one other friend invited (and some people didn't show, so that didn't really work out in the end). 

I worried about the dynamics of a boy/girl party (and I really shouldn't have, everything was perfect).  I decided last minute to rent a bounce house. 


The bounce was used by Ry's friend, but mostly by Harper, Presley, and Logan. 

Rylan's goodie bags. 
He did such a good job of hosting, talking with all of his guests, making sure everyone was included, and checking on friends if they weren't part of the big group.  
I was really proud of him. 

Harper's back to school party was next. 

We had a breakfast for her group. 

She invited 11 girls, and 7 showed up.
That was a good number of 3rd graders. 
Presley helped me out with this party. 
She made the blueberry muffins and helped keep an eye on everyone. 
This was an easy group. 
They are all really great school friends. 

Her goodie bags. 


Presley's party was our final party. She made these invites on her own. 

I would never have figured out how to change colors or the font. 

It was a nice, clear evening so they ate outside. 

I hope this group of girls remains close for the next 4 years. 
She invited 2 girls from another middle school that she met on her East Coast trip. 
Everyone loves Presley!

and her goodie bags (Apple soap--Bath and Body Works)

We had Logan's friends over a lot this summer, but no special back to school party for him. 
However, he was asked to be an Ignite Leader for the incoming freshman.
He created little goodie bags for his group of 13 kids. 
He made this tag and tied Pop Rocks on. 









Tuesday, August 28, 2018

NINE: August 23, 2018

August 22nd as I was hanging her balloons on her door. 
She goes to sleep with the lights on and then I turn them off when I go to bed. 

The first look at my NINE year old.
Morning video watching with Rylan. 

Presley was giving her a little hand massage. 




And one more bonk with the birthday number. 
This time to Ry!

It was Back to School Root Beer Social night too. 
Our only Sunnyslope Wolf, and she's in the big hall this year!

Then we went out to Harper's choice,  Sumo's Hibachi Grill.
Our server put on a good show of fire (he's letting her blow out the "candle" here)
We came home and opened present. 
She got lots of special goodies. 
And we had cake too!
Harper specifically wanted a white cake, with raspberry filling, pink frosting, flowers and yellow writing. 
Thank you Safeway!



Friday, August 24, 2018

Harper's 9th Interview




FIFTEEN: August 20, 2018

Presley's birthday celebrations really started with a trip to Leavenworth to see "The Sound of Music" with her friend.  

We made this same trip back in 2016 for Presley's 13th birthday. 

August 20, 2018 
The first look at my 15 year old. 



Remember that Logan whacked Presley with the 7 from his 17. 
This was a payback. 
And Presley did forewarn me that she was going to do it. 

I took Presley to the Mormon church parking lot and let her drive for the first time. 
She told me she was scared, but she did okay at the max speed of 10 today. 

She doesn't officially have her permit. 
A 15 year old has to wait until they are enrolled in a drivers training course before they can go to the DMV and get one. 

She did manage to park between the lines though!
(It's been so smoky here all week long)
Grandma and Papa Nelson came over for Presley's choice of Olive Garden, picked up to eat at home. 


Not exactly a great picture but she did blow out all her candles. 
And a little evening dog pile on our next birthday girl, Harper.