Olivia's 8th Birthday Party!

We celebrated Olivia's birthday with a party that included her friends, swimming, homemade pizzas and cupcakes! So much fun! About six weeks before her birthday, I'd asked Olivia what she wanted to do to celebrate her big day and offered all sorts of ideas, including a party at Urban Air, horse riding at Ride With Pride, a cooking class at Taste Buds, a party at a splash pad, etc. She wasn't sure and couldn't decide. Finally, a few weeks later, she suggested a pool party at our house with a handful of her favorite friends. Last year we had a pool party at our house and included everyone in her class, and I decided it was just too much. Plus, I know Olivia has several close friends and doesn't really spend time with most of those she doesn't consider friends. I suggested that we also make homemade pizzas that each friend could add their own sauce and toppings to and then we could all decorate cupcakes. She loved the idea and it sounded easy and fun to me! So, she told me exactly who she wanted to include: Hannah, Cora, Riley, Hana B, and Makinsey. She didn't offer up any additional names, and those girls are definitely her close friends. I told Sofia to invite a friend too, since I know it is so much more fun to be with a good friend. So, she asked Liam to come over to swim and celebrate. He's so easy to be and such a fun kid in general to have around.

Our weekends were so busy and crazy and we ended up planning the party for the afternoon of Sunday September 22nd. It was a perfect day for a party and we couldn't wait to celebrate Olivia! Unfortunately, I forgot that CK had a work trip planned for that weekend so he wasn't able to attend the party and I was on my own. However, it was a lot easier than expected.

All of Olivia's friends arrived except for Makinsey. Makinsey actually doesn't know how to swim, so it was easier that she wasn't able to attend. After all her friends and Liam arrived, we headed to the pool. Since I was the only adult I hung out poolside on the lounge chair and just watched everyone have fun. I also took pictures of everyone and just enjoyed their fun. The girls had such a great time together and Sofia and Liam hung out and made up their own stories, swam and jumped on the trampoline. They are such good friends. I love it! After about 11/2 hours, I called all the kids in for pizza. I made the pizza dough that morning and set out all of the possible toppings the kids would want to add to their pies. I showed the kids how to roll out the pizza dough and then how best to add toppings. The girls loved making their own pizzas and nearly all of the girls did sauce and cheese only.

The pizzas were ready in about 15 minutes and the kids loved their own homemade pizzas. After pizzas were eaten, I brought out the cupcakes, frosting and sprinkles for all the kids to decorate. I had enough cupcakes for each kid to eat one and then take four decorated cupcakes home with them as party favors. The kids really got into it and the cupcakes really looks fabulous! Riley's actually looked professional! Once they were done decorating, I brought out ice cream for everyone. The girls toasted their ice cream, which was so adorable! The girls hung out and played after they packaged up their four cupcakes. Before we knew it, the party was over and we were busy cleaning up. It was such a fun, and surprisingly easy, party to throw. Olivia had a great time with her friends and it was so much fun. It was so easy that I need to have that fun group of girls over more often just to swim and play together. Although it's nearly a month late, we had a great time celebrating our sweet 8 year old! Happy Birthday, Olivia!

Birthday girl is ready to party!!

Birthday girl and me!

My sweet girl! I can't believe she is 8 years old!

Bring on the swim party!

The basic view all afternoon - good fun with friends.

Such a sweet group of girls! Love that they are all friends.

Silly Hana!

Riding on the orca was very popular.

Sofia!

Hannah and Sofia - such great friends!

Jumping off the rocks!

Love this picture of these crazy girls!

Sweet Buddy - he has to be a part of the action, just not in the pool.

Such a great group of friends!

Time to make some pizzas!

Enjoying their pizzas together after a fun afternoon swimming.

Time to decorate cupcakes!

The best part of the party.

Happy Birthday, Olivia.

Cora, and possibly the only picture I have of Cora smiling.

Toasting their ice cream! So cute!

Riley and her perfectly decorated cupcakes. Each girl was able to take 4 decorated cupcakes home with them as a party favor.