Liz's birthday luau was a blast! We always try to keep the invite list down and somehow it always explodes once you invite the family, everyone in her church class (and their families), her friends from dance class, friends from Cerritos, and on and on... How do you cut down your lists??
We started the party with guests receiving leis as they arrived. The children could either play on the playground equipment or color pictures. Once we had a good number of guests we started our first activity - hula dancing! We handed out hats for the boys and the girls were given hula skirts and Hawaiian flowers for their hair. The kids looked adorable.
Grandma taught the hukilau to the kids and Danny and Grandpa played their ukuleles!
After all that dancing, the children were starving. We served fruit and veggies since it was around 10:30 in the morning! I was happily surprised how much healthy food they consumed!
Once their energy had returned, we had a scavenger hunt! I read a clue and the children ran to the first stop where they found buckets and shovels to hold the rest of their goodies from the hunt.
At each location in the scavenger hunt they would find something to put in their buckets to take home (thus taking care of their party favors! Sneaky, eh?!). They found packets of swedish fish, little necklaces with plumeria flowers, packages of goldfish, candy, little princess stamps, and paddleball games with tiki faces on them. My personal favorite part was watching the children run like crazy once someone figured out the clue! It was fantastic - here's a sample!
The final clue led them back to the table where cupcakes were set up.
As the kids scarfed down their cupcakes, we brought out Liz's cake. It was made by Vanessa and was amazing!
When it was time to sing to Liz and blow out the candles, Liz did a most unusual thing for her - she got shy! She refused to blow out the candles, kept burying her face in Dan's shoulder, and generally refused to look at anyone. Jared blew out her candles for her and when the attention was off of her again, then she peeked around.
Then it was time to open presents. Most of the guests played on the playground while Liz opened her terrific presents. I can't think of a single one that she didn't love. In fact, you can see her new boots that she immediately put on after opening them!
Finally, Liz joined the kids playing until their parents were exhausted and took them home! Here are some favorite guests who weren't kids! First, Jared's favorite babysitters of all time were kind enough to come: Andrea and Aaron. These two are so kind to our kids. Jared is always hugging Aaron in front of his friends and he is still kind to Jared!!! Andrea's gift was a purse full to the brim with different kinds of chapstick - tell me this girl doesn't know my Liz! Andrea also held Lucas for a long time so that I could coordinate the party. At one point she put him in the swing and he was having so much fun!
Next - is Liz's favorite babysitter Kelly. Kelly has been such a huge blessing for me! Right after Lucas was born Kelly came to sit with me at church to help! She keeps Jay and Liz occupied if I'm dealing with Luke or she holds Luke for me if Jay or Liz need something specific from me. I adore her! It started out as service for her and turned into her Young Women's project! We're super grateful to Kelly for making my church experience so much more enjoyable. This past year with a 5 year old, 3 year old and newborn would have been so much more traumatic without Kelly.
Finally, Alan and Miki came too! We are so lucky to have such amazing people in our lives. I'm always surprised when adults come to things like this just to be supportive. We love Alan and Miki!
It was really a fun birthday party and not too stressful for me (mostly because we had so much help from our families and Vanessa! Thanks to everyone for contributing!!!). Here is
most of our family at the end of the party (Lucas was already asleep in Vanessa's arms!).
Happy 4th Birthday, Liz! We love you.
