Oakley's 3rd B-day Party

So, finally, I am posting. I have had zippo time, as of late, to do much of anything. I thought I'd make a quick post about Oakley's Teddy Bear Picnic b-day party. We had a small, small group here for the bash. Only two out of the four friends she invited made it that day, but counting my four angels, we still had six kiddos here. Each guest was asked to bring a teddy bear (or other stuffed animal) for the occasion. As the guests arrived, they put on a set of "teddy bear ears" (they looked more like little mice, oops! Oh well, I tried.) And they decorated teddy bear door hangers. Then, we had a teddy bear circle time (can you tell I used to teach Kindergarten?) where we read stories, went on a bear hunt, sang songs, and did fingerplays. Next, we had a teddy bear cake walk to the music of "Teddy Bear Picnic" (they also danced around to the music after). After that, we played "Pin the Cherry on Top". (The cherry went on top of a printed cake that a teddy bear is frosting.) Oakley then opened her birthday presents. One of the little girls thought she could take the present home that she brought for Oakley. I had to fish it out of her gift bag a few time during the course of the party, until finally, Oakley took it and hid it under her bed upstairs. As for her other gifts, her big sisters DECENDED, and soon, she wasn't sure what was hers anymore. Poor thing. I guess nothing is sacred at our house. What's mine is yours and what's yours is mine.

After all of the activities, we'd worked up an appetite. It was time for the "picnic". We grilled hot dogs and ate them with Cheetos (a kid-friendly standard) and strawberries dipped in sugar (who wouldn't love that?). Later, we sang "Happy Birthday" to Oakley and she blew out the 3 candles on her cupcake and served them with ice cream.

At some point in the party, I tied a gold star around each "teddy bears" neck awarding them with the likes of the "Softest Teddy", "Biggest Teddy", "Friendliest Teddy", "Tiniest Teddy", and "Most Original Teddy". (One of the guests brought a giant rooster. Can you guess which furry friend got the "Most Original" award?)

This was Oakley's first "Friends" b-day party. (We alternate "friends" and "family" parties every other year.) I think it was a success. Although our group was small because some of her friends didn't make it, I doubt she even noticed. The important people were there to help her celebrate and a good time was had had by all. So all you "Teddy Bears" out there...BEWARE! 'Cuz today's the day, the teddy bears have their picnic!"

Below are select photos of Oakley's Birthday Celebration. (My girls still had remnants of the "Dance Photo Make-up" from earlier that day. They look all glammed up for the party.)