Emily & Jack's Birthday 2011...

This year Emily was determined to have a birthday party with all of her friends.  I was a little hesitant at first but in the end decided that I would do a small party for the two of them.  We invited the THREE families that we do the most with socially and they just happen to be the kids' very best friends as well.  An added bonus was that Grandpa Jim offered up his house again this year and even got the bounce house back for the kids.

Emily opted for a unicorn party...

...while Jack wanted a choo-choo party...

The day went as follows...

After a quick picture at home we loaded up the truck and the Expedition and headed out to Grandpa Jim and Grandma Patti's house.   The bounce house, Grandpa Jim,  hands full of strawberries, a few balloons and an art table helped keep the kids busy while I set up all of the food and decorations...

I was a little less worried about all of the details this year and made things as simple as possible in order to allow me time to relax and have fun during the party. 

I made Emily's shirt and skirt along with Jack's shirt to match their table cloth fabrics...

The treat bags were very simple this year...just a white bag filled with all sorts of little things that matched the unicorn or choo-choo theme of the party...

For the first time I think I spent the bulk of my time making all of the food to cut down on costs.  I think these rainbow jello cups were the favorite of the day...

...followed by the rainbow cupcakes...

We also served hot dogs, a pesto potato salad, an assortment of chips and dips, fruit skewers and a veggie platter...

I brought over my mom's kid table, covered it with butcher paper and the kids had a blast coloring all over it while they filled their bellies...

...but the bounce house was by far the best entertainer all day...

I made the kids' cupcakes this year and opted for a rainbow cake on the inside.  Both Jack and Emily are fascinated with rainbows right now so I was trying to find any excuse possible to infuse a little where ever I could...

At 1:00 our guests arrived and headed straight for the bounce house...

Even though Baby Olivia has been having a hard time in the car, Auntie Jenny and Uncle Zach drove all the way up for the day...

I made her a matching unicorn onesie and skirt to go with Emily's outfit...

The view from afar...

This is my favorite picture all day...all the kids (minus the littles) eating jello cups on the steps.  This was a real hose down job when they were done!

Emily and Charlie Pearson  are the best of buds...

 After the jello feast we headed for the pinata.  I let the kids alternate picking the pinata every year.  Last year Jack chose a yellow construction truck and this year Emily chose a unicorn.

Then the kids began a swinging.  Emily started us off...

Then our Jack...

 then Jack Pearson...

then Annie Pearson...

 then Charlie Pearson...

 ...and then we went back to Emily because Olivia and Asher just wanted to watch the action...

 After a few good swings...

 ...it burst open and candy flooded the ground...

This was all that was left...

I think Charlie got some ideas from watching the kids WHACK the pinata...

When we had some time to recover from the pinata excitement we decided to sing Happy Birthday, blow out the candles, gobble down some cupcakes and open presents...

I LOVE this picture of Emily and Olivia eating their cupcakes on the lawn...

Charlie enjoyed them as well...

After all of the present opening everybody made their way home...everyone that is but the Pearsons and our family.  They stayed around and helped the kids play with all of their new toys...

The new play make-up was a HUGE hit.  Charlie (P) was the beauty technician while the Jacks, Annie and Emily took turns getting make-up applied to their faces...

Our Jack and Annie played with the Rapunzel tower for hours.  Jack wanted to be the lizard and was yelling for "Wupunzel" to "wet down her hair"...

It was the perfect way to end a perfect little party!