Rachel's birthday party

Rachel had a party with 10 of her friends. It started out with racing around like crazy and going crazy some more, followed by a nice, quiet lunch.











After lunch we decorated our bags for a deep sea fishing adventure on a large ship, the S.S Trampoline.










While on the S.S. Trampoline, a large storm rolled in and we were shipwrecked on an island, which of course was a pirate island with a treasure map spread out in pieces all over the yard and house. The kids ran around putting the map together, which led to the treasure...










...a pirate heart pinata filled with candy and expensive jewelry. Let me explain the heart with skull and cross-bones. The treasure chest pinata was $18, but there was also another one on the shelf, a clearance V-day heart priced at $2. The kids didn't care. They just wanted to hit it. Steven had about as much fun as anyone did with the pinata.










Her party was a ot of fun (and work). We made it a 'no gift party', which also went over well. No one mentioned it, Rachel didn't care, and we are surrounded by so much that I didn't think it was necessary. Many of the parents ahead of time did express much concern over the idea, however.