Edison and Declan's Picnic Party

I had no motivation to put together a party for Edison. His birthday had long since come and gone. Suddenly it was Declan's birthday and I still had not put together a party. I was struggling. I finally got up enough energy to throw a joint party for them. It still works because they are young and they have the same friends.

Sam and I were up until 1:30am the night before the party preparing the food. I had been checking the weather obsessively and it looked like we had a chance of making the party happen at the park. I woke up at 6am on the day of the party because the torrential downpour was so loud. I sent Sam to check out the park in the morning and he said it was already so muddy so we decided to tell everyone the party was moved to our house, "But don't forget your picnic blanket!" The need to suddenly clean our house and reorganize all of the furniture made it so my few last-minute things did not get done. I really wanted to make a paper bag banner but guests were showing up and there was just no more time.

I am sick of party favors being tons of candy and junky toys. I will probably go back to that at future parties because the kids love it but for this party I put together a basket of apples for each family.

I did not have everything organized in my brain because I was supposed to be setting up at a park! So things just got thrown together and then it was party time.

We had so much food: peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, ants on a log, watermelon, chips, string cheese, broccoli salad, veggies, fruit snacks, and chicken salad sandwiches.

Maybe the best idea I have ever had was putting the veggie sticks into a parfait cup so the dip didn't touch the veggies. A few people had allergies so I was trying to make it friendly for everyone.

Jenny Sheets, Kinley and Natalie Brooks

Hawkins Family: Laura, Emma, Steve, and Eli (Miles was probably sleeping somewhere)

Laynie, Susan, and Levi Moore

Evelyn and Joel Pena, Sam

Ivonne, Junior, and Eloy

Evelyn and Amanda

Nate and Chelsey's parents were in town so they all stopped by for a few minutes.

Emily, Nate, Chelsey, Uncle Paul, Aunt Nanette, baby Hudson

The party was supposed to end at 1pm. I looked at the clock after our last guests left and it was 2:10pm!

The aftermath

These boys are always confused when I tell them it was someone's birthday and they say, "Why didn't we go to their party?!" Then I explain once again that not everyone has a birthday party every year. My children are spoiled. It was hard getting started on the party but I ended up loving it and I am glad we got to celebrate two special kids.