rebekah's 11th birthday party!

{those are her new glasses - aren't they adorable?!?}

we don't do "friend" birthday parties every year. nor on set years. just every few...when we think we can handle it (i was questioning this decision late in the night on tues night...)

but, this year, we are doing friend parties for the older 3.
rebekah wanted a sleepover. i'm not fans of them. but, we decided to do it!

she wanted a camping theme. it started out that we were sleeping in a tent out back. as time went on, that changed, but she still wanted camping food - hot dogs, smores.

and a carrot cake (not camping. but her favorite.)

there were 7 girls - including rebekah.
they all got along great! i was so thankful.

 some girls were from church, some from swim team, some from school and some just neighbors. a good combo!

 bailey had to dress up for the party

 singing happy birthday!

 we tried this idea i saw on pinterest. jar, water, glitter and empty a glow stick in it. it was supposed to glow all night. it glowed for like 2 seconds. they still had fun with them. i guess i should have tried it beforehand. who has time for THAT?!?

 going over the rules for flashlight tag. or manhunt. or something they ended up playing.

 smores

 getting settled to watch soul surfer. with instructions to go to SLEEP when it was over. but, there always has to be one that keeps everyone awake for hours after, right?? i had to turn into "mean mom" at 1 am and they finally went to sleep. ugh. no more sleepovers for us - here or anywhere else - for a LONG time! we gave it a shot! and she had a great party! but i just don't see the need for the sleepover part...

we did have a fun, big breakfast the next morning. no pics of that. i felt like i'd been hit by a truck and was walking around with a clenched smile on my face. not so much because they kept me up, but i just kept waking up knowing i had all these girls sleeping (or not!) in my house! whew!

happy {early - it's actually aug 31} birthday, rebekah!!!