Alyssa had her hawaiian luau party on Saturday and is now a big five year old! She invited 10 of her friends over for her big day. We had them all wear their swimsuits, even though it is November and we live in Iowa. We didn't swim and we turned the heat up so no one was too cold, but it was actually a beautiful dayoutside. When the guests arrived we got them all hula'ed up with their leis, grass skirts, flower for their hair and tatoos.
We then had a hula hoop contest.
Then McKell took center stage, without me even telling her what to do. The night before McKell and I had gone to the library in search of a video teaching how to hula, no luck. The day of the party after the hula hoop contest I said we are going to learn how to hula and I was turning up the hawaiian music we had playing in the background and McKell went to town. She had everyone stand up and spread out so they weren't touching anyone. She taught them all how to 'hula' for a good 15 minutes. "Move your hands like they are going over mountains" "go side to side" "good job Maria, I like the way you are moving your hips". I was so surprised! I let her do her stuff, the little girls LOVED it. Thanks Kell you are a super star!
After hulaing we had lunch. Hawaiian pizza, fruit kabobs, and fish crackers.
We then did the limbo. The girls had a great time and wanted to keep going lower until they had to slither under the pole on their backs. 
I had the 'cake makers' make Alyssa's birthday cake, remember how cute Nate's was? They did an amazing job!
I made a ice cream volcano to go with the cake and Alyssa blew and blew and blew out the candles, we used trick candles- Phil was getting worried she was going to pass out she was blowing so much, it was pretty funny.
We finished up the party with present opening and snow cones! You can't have a hawaiian luau without a snow cone! Here is the snow cone maker I rented, don't ask any questions- this thing almost put me in the dog house with my hubby. There was even talk of giving me a budget for my parties- gasp- I know!
In my defense, we did have snow cones with friends Friday night, saturday, and sunday and the kids all loved them.
The tradition has now been set that you get to pick where we go to dinner when it is your birthday so Alyssa picked Red Lobster. As we were sitting there getting ready to order Phil and I were looking at the kids menu and we said to each other, 'Why are we here for Alyssas birthday she doesn't like anything on this menu?' and then it occured to us, she doesn't like anything on any menu. She was just there to pet the lobster.
Since her actual birthday is Sunday she got to pick what we had for dinner. She wanted tortillas and carrots. After we talked further she came up with the menu of- bean burritos, cucumbers and carrots with ranch, jello jigglers and pineapple- with snow cones for dessert! (see we used it a lot) Happy Birthday Alyssa, you always make us smile!!
14 comments:
once again, your parties kill me. Waiting for the Nicole Brenchley "Creative Party Ideas on a Budget Imposed by my Husband" book to come out soon... :)
Happy Birthday Alyssa! We love you. Libby thinks you are the greatest! It was another hit party. Libs said she had the greatest time EVER! Hey Nicole, can I have a copy of those pictures for my 365 kit? Oh WAIT I dropped the ball on that one. No, really though can I have a copy of some of the pictures? Thanks for another great party--don't know what we'll do next year. Wish us luck on that one!
Oh, and I think the renting of the snow cone machine was worth it! Tell Phil there CANNOT be a budget for your parties--get a clue!
Happy Birthday to Alyssa! That party looks so fun, I wish we were there. I love that Mckell was all about teaching the "little" girls how to Hula. She is awesome.
I love that she picked Red Lobster so she could pet the lobster! Too funny. What a great party. Can't wait to be able to attend some of your parties...yahoo!
And Happy Birthday Alyssa!
wow what the party planner you are! How super lucky Alyssa is to have you as her personal party planner! How much do you charge to plan other kids party's?
Kerri- I'll do it for free and even do the invites for you! I love doing it.
Happy Birthday Alyssa! looks like you had a ton of fun! great food and decorations. Love aunt jamie
happy birthday alyssa! another great party by nicole that we missed! this time i thought for sure you could've used my help (being from hawaii and i dance hula) but you had it all under control w/ mckell. she's awesome.
A snow cone machine is the way to go - Ryan wanted his own years ago, so we got this SUPPOSED kids' snow cone maker - a "Snowie" from Toys R Us - and it took SO MUCH WORK to get a grain of ice out - pretty much a piece of crap...we used it like once, then it sat in storage for years and we finally threw it out. You got more use out of your RENTAL in one weekend than we did in YEARS. QUALITY is important!
Now is the time to do those "Come in your swim suit" parties -- because ya can't pull that off forever...all I can say is, Good Thing I wasn't invited (with that wardrobe requirement) I would DIE! :)
You always throw the best parties. You really need to start a business. I see huge $$$$$$$
I know I have said it before- but you throw the best parties! Love it!
You totally wear me out - I looked at Aylssa birthday party, the Halloween party and all the cute things that you do. Wow! You need to be a party planner. Where do you come up with all your cute food ideas? Way cute stuff/ideas.
as always. Party Planner of the year.
Wish you could plan and carry out Porter's party at the end of this month.
I'm a looser when it comes to parties.
I LOVE the cake... those girls are SO GOOD!
Happy Birthday Lyss.
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