Kenna's 6th

Mckenna just had her 6th birthday a week or so ago. I can't believe she is 6. I have learned a lot in the last 6 years about being a mother, but also about life and what it's really about. Every time one of my kids has a birthday it stings a little. They grow up so fast and I know that in no time at all the innocence of childhood will be gone. But I realized something in the last week or so. I have Halle who is only 8 months. She can't do much for herself yet. She is hitting all her special little milestones and is as cute as a baby can be. Mckenna is a kindergartner that is also hitting all her special little milestones. For some reason I use to think that once they were in school they wouldn't be as fun to watch. I was wrong. Watching Mckenna is just as genuinely entertaining as watching my sweet little baby Halle. I watch as Mckenna and Kayla go to school and all they do that doesn't involve me and it hurts to let them go, but I realized that I still get to be here and watch them blossom and THAT eases the sting of birthday time. So, to my grown up girl, Happy Birthday Mckenna!

Mckenna had an Art party. Anyone who knows Mckenna knows she loves her art! This was a great birthday party theme. Here are some pictures to show how we pulled it together:

I strung up clothesline around the whole party area for art to be hung as the guests finished their masterpieces. I did this so we could see all the fun art, but also it made it so I wouldn't have to use a surface to dry paintings or crafts.

I set up different stations. I covered each table with butcher paper so the kids could color on the table, to protect the table, and just to go with the theme of art. This is the play dough station which was a hit for the younger guests. (We had many different aged guests.) I also had the color wonder markers and paper and the aqua-doodle mat. All great things for younger guests!

This is the bag station. Each guest was given a blank canvas bag to decorate. This was more for the older guests. I also did a painting station and a water color station.

Yummy food. I did a small candy bar (an assortment of candy in jars) as a party favor thing. This was awesome. I put out small zip bags and guests could take a bag and fill with candy to take.

I made an artists pallet cake. Not my most wonderful creation ever, but it turned out pretty cute and went with the theme.

I also made these little marshmallow pops as a thank you favor. They filled their canvas bags they had created with the paintings they had done and I gave each guest a frame so they could frame their art at home.

Usually there is snow on the ground by Mckenna's birthday, but this year it was quite warm and we had just finished raking a huge pile of leaves. The kids all went outside to enjoy the leaves. FUN!

It was such a fun birthday party. It's a great theme for a party!