Ally's Art Party

Every Monday evening we have bible study with our Home Group. It consists of members from our church {Denton Bible Church} who live in close proximity to one another. The idea is to get in the word with each other, be real and do life together. What a blessing this group of people have been since we moved to this area almost a year ago. They have welcomed us with open arms and loved us, and more importantly have shown love to our kiddos.

The last Monday of every month we have "family night" where we all fellowship together: adults and children. This gives us time to interact with all of the kids and build relationships with them as well. Since Allyson's birthday was the day after the last Monday {following me? Ha}, which is today, September 1st, I asked if we could have Home Group at our home and have a little party for her. It really could not have worked out better.

We decided on an Art Party theme. She really enjoys drawing and coloring, so I thought this would be perfect. I gathered some of the kids' artwork and hung it up as a banner in the breakfast area. Personalized and free!

Originally I wasn't sure what I was going to do about food signs. I got on the computer a couple of days ago and started creating signs, but just wasn't feeling it. When I went to Walmart to get a few things this past weekend, Ally and I went down the craft isle and came across mini canvases {5 small square ones below}. Then I saw they had other canvas boards. I picked up a pack of both 8x10 and 5x7 {3 canvases came in each set, and each set was less than $3}. And with a little hot glue and craft sticks, Shawn and I put together some mini easels. Super easy {thank you Pinterest} and quick too. Later that night {or early morning}, after the kids were in bed {and the hubs} I got the sharpies and watercolors out and had some art time. I did not have a game plan, but knew basically what I wanted each one to say.

Since my party prep crew was back in Deer Park {ha!...and my cake decorator!!}, I decided to keep the food as simple {and clean} as possible. Here is our run down on the food list, keeping the "art theme", of course!
Fine Art Fowl - Rotisserie Chicken from Costco
Art Studio Salad Bar - Lettuce and all the fixins' with homemade ranch and strawberry vinaigrette
Picasso's Pasta - Italian Seasoning Pasta
Complementary Chips and Dips - Pita Chips with Hummus and Tortilla Chips with Guacamole
Vibrant Veggies - Vegetable Tray
Fancy Fruit - Fresh Fruit {ROY G BIV sure came in handy!}

So pretty. I'm unsure where year 5 went. This was her last day as a 5 year old! 

We have quite a few kiddos in our Home Group, so I wanted to make sure I had an activity for them to do. I bought all of their first initials {8x10 Chip Board} from Hobby Lobby last week when they were half off, so they ended up being less than $1 each. Paint was also on sale, so I let my kids pick out some new colors {I had quite a few already}. And I had all of the 12x12 scrapbook paper on hand already, so I used that as their mat.

All of the kids really enjoyed the painting activity. No rules or guidelines, just their imagination. I wish I would have taken a few pictures of the finished letters; they did a great job!

The After table makes me smile. So many colors and brushes used. And all of our guests took their letters home. So fun!

The cake = complete mess. I made it Sunday afternoon, and the icing from scratch. Dairy free so Jase could partake. I burnt up a blender making the icing and then woke up Monday morning to find the icing from the cupcakes had slid off the cupcake and the icing on the cake was sliding down as well. Geez. I shoved it all in the fridge before we left for our Co-op. As you can tell, it isn't the prettiest, but it did taste good. So glad the cake is behind me! Ha.

While Ally was trying to blow out her candle, the candle fell over. Poor thing, we need to work on blowing out a candle!

Check it out here!

And it happened to be Isaiah's 16th birthday, so we sang to him as well!

She also got some precious gifts from friends.

Remember I posted a few weeks back about Rockin' with Rhett? Well, his family have since joined our Home Group. They are great people, very easy to talk to. He brought his guitar and sang some of his songs before it was time to go. It was such a treat for all! Thanks Rhett!

Watch some of the videos here. So fun!

 

 

After the party was said and done with, Finn was just getting started. He was asleep in my room for the first half of it. Finn found the punch and was feeling the sugar!

What a super fun night. After everyone left, I asked Ally what she thought of the party and she said "Best Day Ever. I got to listen to Rockin' with Rhett, play dress-up, visit with my friends and do activities." Awesome. This is why I love celebrating the kids' birthdays. One day out of the year, to focus on them and give thanks for their life. Happy birthday sweet Ally, we love you.