MoLLy TuRnS fOuR

Molly turns four

Molly's birthday celebrations began on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21, one day before her "real" birthday. I'm all about "stretching the truth" when it benefits those involved, and with this philosophy in mind, I decided to tell Molly that it was her birthday that day, due to the fact that on Monday, June 22, we had a million things to do including piano lessons, and a five-hour swim meet. Molly didn't care; she got her cake, presents and attention. So we had the Blackwells (both couples--Paul and Lisa's wedding post is coming), over to have a cook-out and celebrate Molly turning four and Father's Day.

As always, Rusty is our pastry chef and once again outdid himself on a princess birthday cake that was pink and purple for Molly.

Molly is a hugger, and either has been schooled well by her siblings or I have actually succeeded in teaching her to not only be grateful but how to show gratitude by giving us all hugs when she receives a gift.

We LOVE getting presents from our Utah relatives. Thank you for always remembering us.

Friday, June 26 was the "friend party," I mean, the "Fairy Princess Ball." This was THE easiest party I have ever thrown. Three words, "my older kids." Meg and Ben planned and carried out the entire thing. The best part was that they dressed up. Meg was the "Fairy God Mother," and Ben was a knight. Then they recruited their friends. See Meg and Ben's agenda below for the order of festivities.

MOLLY’S PRINCESS PARTY

1) Craft (Kitchen Table)
· Decorate and make crowns—put names on them

2) Games

· Dance – Freeze (Meg and Dominique) (Living Room)
Inform the girls that Sleeping Beauty's evil step mother is threatening to FREEZE the entire Kingdom!!! When the music starts, they begin dancing?until the "Evil Step Mother" (Dominique) stops the music.
At which point, they all freeze. Repeat this several times.

· Hot Cinderella Shoe (Sam runs game, Meg do music) (Living Room)
All children sit in a circle and pass Cinderella’s shoe. When the music stops, the child holding the shoe is “out.” Repeat until all children are out.

· Paint Nails and Toes/Read Stories (Girl)—(Meg and Dominique) (Kitchen)

· Princess Find/Slay the Dragon (Boys)—(Sam, Ben and Max) (Outside)
Hide the princess around the house and have the “prince” find his princess.

· Little Mermaid Game (Outside)
Toilet paper—one team member wraps the other to make them look like the little Mermaid.

· The Princess is missing her favorite things!
Place several items on a tray or cookie sheet.
Try to find items that work with the theme; tiara, lipstick, wand or royal scepter, silver spoon, jewelry, handkerchief etc. One player leaves the room. Remove one or two items from the tray. When the player returns
they must guess what's missing. Repeat until every child has a turn.

3) Decorate Cupcakes (Outside or Kitchen)

4) Presents (Outside or Kitchen)

5) Goodie Bags

I had to include a picture of all the "princesses" with the "birthday girl."
Emma with Molly

Malla malla (Mallory, Gage's little sissy) as we call her. Molly loves to "mommy" Mallory.

Ellie is our "big friend." She's a year older than Molly. Out here you've got to be friends with the church kids a year older and younger than you because there is strength in numbers.

Molly and Snow White, (aka Eva)

See the above agenda for the details of this activity, but it was the "Little Mermaid Game."

Another activity from the agenda, "Hot Cinderella's Shoe." This is our next door neighbor Costner, (who is Sam's age) who has gotten into the routine of knocking on our back door around 7:30 p.m. nightly to ask if Molly can put her p.j.'s on and go and snuggle with him and his mom (she only has boys). We have let her, but Rusty is closely monitoring that situation.

And the activity all the boys had been waiting for, "Slaying the Dragon." This idea, as well as "Princess Find," were original ideas from the mastermind, Ben O'Brien (he's available for party planning).

Wow, we had fun!!! I loved that my older kids ran the entire thing, and all the kids that came were too cute and kind to each other. Can't wait 'till next year. Also, thank you Ms. Sandi and Ms. Benesia