Pokemon Party

We celebrated Camden's 9th birthday this weekend.  She requested a Pokemon theme.  This was probably the first (maybe 2nd) real kids-focused party with decorations, games, and prizes all geared to the 9 kids in attendance.

I did a few signs to post around the family room where we did the first few activities.  The Poke Balls were hanging from the lights and a "Welcome Trainers" sign was on the front door.

We started by making Pikachu ears.  I had cut all the pieces out, so it was just a matter of assembly.

Those pictured are Haliana, Hoyt, Preslee, Camden, Levi, Rhianah, and Paxton.  Not pictured are Molly and Owen.

Cards & Dessert

Camden has been spending a night once a week at Gramma Pat's this summer.  It's been great fun for both of them.  Gramma has been bringing her back and staying for supper with us.

Last night we had our first "garden dinner".  We had zucchini, tomato and onions (from the garden) along with shrimp in a butter sauce with angel hair pasta.  We also had garden cucumbers on the side. Unfortunately this will be one of the few such meals since the deer have taken our corn and the rain has drowned our zucchini.  The deer have started on the beans, but we think we will get one picking this weekend.  We do have lots of tomatoes about ready to explode, as well as onion and peppers.  Salsa anyone?

After dinner, Kevin, Gramma and I have been playing cards.

Camden kept coming in and out of the kitchen/pantry and back to her room.  Many times she had snack items in her hands.  Ummmm...Camden, what are you doing?  Making dessert!

After several, "I promise I'm not making a mess" and "I'll put everything away" and "Just one more thing," she brought us her masterpiece.  I must admit it was pretty and delicious and no mess and cleaned up.

The Claw

We play the claw game almost every time we are at Krogers.   Camden is allowed a dollar which gives her 2 tries.  She usually does the first one and then wants me to do the second one.  We work together to get lined up properly.  And we play enough that we win more often than most people...which might explain the explosion of plushies in her room.

Lately, she has taken to video taping my try.  This was from our most recent win.

Kids Against Hunger

During Love Week at our church, there were 2 outreach events for the kids to do.  The first one Kevin and I assisted at.  A local branch of Kids Against Hunger has groups bag a specially formulated meal to be used in areas that suffer from food shortages.  It is used locally in the backpack project (sent home on weekends with school kids who have food scarcity in home), regionally during natural disasters (tornadoes in southern Indiana a few years ago). and nationally/internationally to the poor (Haiti is a prominent place our local chapter goes to).

They set up everything in an assembly line and the volunteers just have to follow directions.  There is a special blend of grains and nutrients that need packaged, sealed, and labeled.  Camden took turns on one of the grains and then switched to the nutrients at one point.

Everyone wore a hairnet and apron.  Those touching the food had to wear gloves.

 

Kevin and I worked the sealing machine.  They also made a batch for us each to try.  It was actually very good and would be a welcomed blessing if food was scarce.

Camden also helped at a second day where they packed welcome bags for Pam's Promise, a local transitional housing organization for homeless women and children.  The older ladies of the church helped the kids make fleece tie blankets to put in the bags along with the other items.

Wolf Park

I have never been to Wolf Park!  At least that I can remember...

Saturday night, the three of us headed to Battleground to check out Howl Night.  Before the show got started we visited the foxes and the baby wolves.

The babies are just getting acclimated to crowds, so they keep people at a large distance to slowly train them to be used to large groups.

In the large wolf area, the three wolves were off across the pond when we started.  The presenter talked a while and then some enticement boxes were brought out and the wolves came running.  They tore the boxes open and enjoyed the treats and scents inside.

The presenter and two others entered the cage and interacted with the wolves.  They took pictures and videos too.  Especially when they did lots of play fighting.

Jr. PGA Party

Golf wrapped up with a presentation from the Nunan Foundation who supports the Jr. PGA at Crawfordsville Country Club.  They had the team come to the end of their golf tournament and presented each of the kids with a certificate, a dozen golf balls, and a nice hat.

This last Sunday, the team had a party to celebrate their season.  A few of the dads and their golfer had a scramble before the pool party.  Camden played a few holes (of the 9) and then left Kevin without a partner for the remaining holes.  It was still fun to get out and spend time together on the golf course.

After the round, Kevin headed home to get a nap before work and Camden and I headed to the "real" party at the pool.  She played golf a lot with Carson and Gabe and the three of them (plus Gabe's younger brother) spent time playing in the pool together too.  And I hung out with Carson and Gabe's moms.  We also enjoyed Arni's pizza and some ice cream.

I'm glad we did this league and I would recommend it to anyone!

Fireworks and S'mores

We bought some fireworks to set off at home.  We invited some friends over for s'mores and a show.  Rain caused us to postpone it from Friday to Saturday night, but it was a good time!

The kids especially loved the parachutes that exploded out of some of the fireworks.  We also bought some big boomers that lit up the sky!

We had 9 kids who enjoyed running around, bouncing on our small personal trampoline, and playing ghost in the graveyard when darkness fell.  Fireworks became a background for them.  Proof that kids want to run and play more than anything else.  I loved hearing their voices and screams and excitement.

Paige, our youngest at almost 2, mostly hung with the adults, but did chase the kids saying "ready or not" and "ghost in the graveyard" in her sweet little voice.

We had a great s'mores bar with options of Hershey bar, cookies and cream bar, Reese's cup, and chocolate frosting.  We also had fruit kabob rockets and brownies (which are also nice on a s'more)!