Lucy 7 Months

Matthew's 9th Science Birthday

Last week we celebrated Matt's 9th birthday with a science birthday playdate!

It was so much fun to plan, and even more fun to be there!

We started out by giving each of the kids a lab coat (my Grandpa's old white church shirts), glasses, and ID badges.  

I made this banner just on paint on my computer and printed it as an engineering print!

And all the cute beakers I borrowed from my SIL, Kristy.

My sister, Heather, pretty much did the whole cake!  Thanks you two!

The kids had to "scan their hand" to enter the "lab."  I love that these 9 year olds still enjoy imagination and pretend play!  

We had some after school scientific snacks.

Then we started the experiments.

We did the match with the egg and a match with food colored water.

We did ivory soap in the microwave.

We made "elephant toothpaste" and dry ice bubbles!  (SO MUCH FUN!!)

We filled balloons with baking soda and vinegar. 

We watched the reaction between skittles and water.

We made slime and lava lamps. 

And the grand finale was the coke with mentos!

(Always a hit!)

And we ended with birthday cake!

It was a fabulous day!

Happy 9th birthday Matt!  We love you!

Lindsay's 7th Birthday!

This year, Lindsay wanted to have a "baking birthday!"  

My mom gave me a baking birthday when I was her age and it was one of my favorite birthdays! 

This was so much fun to plan and we had a great time!

I got a lot of my birthday inspiration from Darin's cousin, Amy! (Thanks Amy)

I got lucky with a lot of my purchases!  I found these hats and aprons for a dollar each!

The week before Lindsay's birthday I thought it would be fun to have cake stands, so I went to DI to see if I could find supplies to make matching cakes stands, but then I found all SIX that MATCHED for ONE DOLLAR a piece!!!  BEST DAY EVER!!  I usually only spend about $1 per guest, but this year we splurged and did about $3 per kid! It was definitely worth it! :) 

We started by playing a game while we waited for everyone to arrive.  The kids roll two dice and if they get a 7 they have to put on two oven mitts, and use kitchen utensils to try to unwrap a Hersey kiss.  They loved it!

Next, we made pizza.  Then we played "Pin the Sprinkles on the Cupcake" while we waited for the pizzas to cook.  After pizza, our decorations all disappeared so we had to go on a scavenger hunt to find the sprinkles and frosting (per Lindsay's request).

We decorated cakes, sang to the birthday girl, and ate cake.  

It was a perfect little day!

I know some people think I am NUTS, but Darin and I really don't buy our kids birthday presents. 

We will take them to dinner, and give them a playdate (where we also ask the guests not to brings gifts), but we really don't give them any tangible gift. 

Andrew pretty much made up for our no gift rule, but wrapping up everything he owns over the course of two days and giving it to Lindsay.  He really is so sweet.  My favorite gift he gave her (besides his legos, a colored paper cup, and his medal from mutton buston) was a plain white piece of paper that she could "do anything she wants with it."  Funny little guy!

And it Andrew's gifts weren't enough--and of course some presents for both sets of grandparents, a cousin, and a neighbor, our cute Isaac came and brought Lindsay nail polish, Lip-gloss, and a Karaoke Machine!!  He is the sweetest kid!!  

Happy 7th Birthday Lindsay!!  

WE LOVE YOU!!