Splish'n and a Splash'n for Cecelia's 6th Birthday

There is nothing better than a backyard party with good friends, good eats, great fun, cool games, gifts and everything that makes you feel like "queen for a day"!

PREFACE: If you know me, then you know that Cecelia's birthday usually falls on our last day of school (or very close to it). In years past I have always been so busy with end-of-school-year-stuff that her birthday has often been last minute, haphazard, pushed aside, kinda forgotten, etc. This year I wanted it to special.

The idea to have a Splish Splash party with water games came easy, but figuring out exactly what we would do took a bit more thought. Then one day I remembered something that I had long forgotten. Something so great that it would be the hit of the party and the best part was that it wouldn't cost me a dime.

About 2 years ago my Mother-In-Law talked me into letting her purchase a HUGE inflatable water slide. "Banzai Falls" has sat unopened and unused in our garage for 2 years. Out of the box it is 10 feet tall and 22 feet long so I'm sure you can see why I have been reluctant to take it out and succumb to the care and nurturing of such a huge piece of equipment...until now! When I told Cecelia that this would be the highlight of her party she could hardly contain herself.

I knew "Banzai Falls" would be great, but a REALLY great party must have games with prizes. The 3 games we came up with were sure to keep the girls splishing and splashing a day long. Celia opted for a "Build-Your-Own-Sundae" Bar instead of a cake or cupcakes. Great! I'm all for easy! Lastly, a going home goody to remember the day by was all that was needed to complete the party package. I really wanted to make the towel tote that Lindsey made for Gracie's Splish Splash party (so totally cute), but since I didn't even get around to sending out the extremely cute "beach tote" party invitations, there was no way I was going to get around to making towel totes. So, I did the next best thing. I told Cecelia that she could pick out whatever she wanted for goody bags. Let me just say that when she saw the fake, rubber, crooked/stained teeth she was sold. I tried to explain that they didn't really go with her "theme" and that maybe the beach ball pencils would be a better choice but she wouldn't have it. So, into the goody bags went the fake teeth along with mini cameras, a bouncy ball, bubbles, flip-flop stickers (my pick), and a TJ's Organic lollipop (soooo yummy with no yucky).

We had an awesome group of girls. Basically every girl in Celia's class and a few other close friends (if they had an older sister then she came too). We blared the music, Mike roasted hot dogs, and we chomped on watermelon. The girls loved the water slide, played games and finished things off with an impromptu "freeze dance" contest.

Happy birthday Cecelia! I loved the party because it was fun and easy. Just like you!