Feeling like a real planner

Last night the ear doctor and I threw a birthday party for our awesome friend who is living in our basement. She was turning 18 years old and I thought we should really celebrate! Plus, I sort of love planning and throwing parties...so it was a great opportunity. Since we just got back from Branson, we didn't have a whole lot of time to plan. Having said that, I think it actually turned out to be one of our better events!

In order to get everything done in time we put together a schedule. Do you do this when you plan a party, or is it just me and my crazy type A personality?

The ear doctor make pulled pork sandwiches and I made the other fixins. The birthday girl grew up in Texas, so we thought a bbq/picnic feel would be perfect for her.

We set up a volleyball/badminton net for the guests to entertain themselves while we put the finishing touches on the food. Then, they all sat down to eat. Seriously, it was probably the best food the two of us have ever made. 12 people were there for dinner, but we made enough for about 30...oops!

After dinner the group of kids all went into the house for an intense game of guitar hero while the ear doctor and I picked up a little and got the cake out of the fridge. Just as night fell we brought the kids and the cake out to eat under a canopy of lights.

They all said they felt like they were in a movie which totally made me feel awesome. I really want our friend to know that she is loved and so special. Just as cake was wrapping up we all surprised the birthday girl with a crazy, intense water fight.

Big sponges full of water were hurled, girls were lifted and dunked into buckets of water, the ice water used to chill the beverages ended up on someones head and the ear doctor tackled one of our guests in the middle of our back yard.

All in all, I'd say it was a pretty successful party!