Bumpkin's 6th Birthday Celebration

Bumpkin's birthday celebration was tons of work but tons of fun too.  We have about 25 kids and a lot of their parents so the house was packed but everyone seemed to have a good time.  We started with games; throwing the pumpkin ball into the pumpkin mouth and searching for eyeballs in the livingroom.  Then we moved on to presents followed by food and cake.  And finally, we went downstairs for the "Haunted Ship". I think the pictures are pretty self-explanatory. 

 

 

That's all folk!  haha

 

Ren Fest 2012

Each year during the weekends in the end of the summer/beginning of fall, Kansas City has a Renaissance Festival.  Last year we went for the first time and if I can find some pictures of us there last year I will try to get those up.  We also went this year and had a blast.  It amazes me how big it is and all the activities they have to do for both kids and adults.  Even going there a whole day you can't get everything accomplished.  I wish the fall wasn't so busy so we could dedicate a whole weekend.  Maybe next year?

The girls loved the Mermaid.  Unfortunately the line was so long (she was new this year) so they were shoo-ing people along and we didn't get any pictures.  However, they gave all the kids jewels that both of the girls protected with all their being.  In fact, I am sure it is still in Troublemaker's special drawer.

We also got the opportunity to met the Queen, the Princess, and their Royal Court multiple times.  Last year we didn't even see them but these year we got to talk to them for quite awhile and then we also saw them later in the day when the Queen turned Bumpkin and Troublemaker into Ladies of the Court.

Another exciting part was watching the jousting.  I think that is pretty self-explanatory but the girls really enjoyed the show.

Here are some other fun parts of Ren Fest 2012. 

This was Mimi before we even got into the interstate. 

Bumpkin's Halloween Birthday Prep Work

We have had Bumpkin's next birthday theme planned since the day after Halloween.  She was never into Halloween until last year (2011) so when she mentioned she wanted a Halloween birthday I jumped on it.  Now, I have to admit, I had always wanted to have a Halloween party as a kid, so I was maybe *a little* too "on board".  I bought a bunch of different Halloween-y type items last year and stored.  I also started pinning things (if you read this twenty years from now and have no idea what that means I am referring to pinterest---- look it up) right away.  So I had a year to come up with ideas that really aren't that hard to come up with.  There is no lack of Halloween ideas and I liked them all.  To say the least, I went a little bit crazier than I usually do with parties.

As you can see below, there was a lot of prep work.  I started months in advance and never would have been able to get everything done without the multiple family members that dealt with my craziness. 

 

Thanks for all your help everyone!  It couldn't have been so great without you!  Pictures of the actual party still to come.