Festivus de Valerie

It all began like this.  By the way, surprise parties are STRESSFUL to plan

Craft- we always do one on slumber party night. 

Babbly boy all dressed up for his sister's party.  Today was FREEZING

Those in celebration

Amazing cake and sparkler candles

Asher was totally cracking up.  Doesn't he have the BEST smile?

Trying to crack everyone up- he succeeded

Alexis is a rock star

Valerie got awesome, generous gifts

Close-up of the cake- Valerie calls herself "pickle" for whatever reason

Such a beauty

Good morning!

Asher is a funnny boy

Apparently, this is what happens when Valerie says "Anyone want to go to the bathroom with me?"

 Just as I suspected...

Birthday dinner

The skating rink was an amazing deal.  They let me bring in my own food and cake, they have a great facility, a toddler play area and they have a really GREAT group rate.  There WERE 7 other parties going on at the same time, BUT (!!) the room was huge and it actually was not as chaotic as I thought it might be. 

The kids all had a great time- especially Asher. He skated, he played, he hopped everywhere for 2 hours...

Valerie and her friends all really did have a great time and although someone ruined the surprise (and did not even come to her party), she had a really wonderful time. I found the cake lady on Facebook. She is incredible and very, very reasonably-priced. I was blown away by her professionalism and how awesome that cake looked and TASTED. IT was like a brownie. Mmmm.

Casualty of war

There was one casualty- Valerie's phone- do not text and skate, people. Sigh.
I am due (2 months ago) an upgrade, so that means a new (free) older iPhone for me, so I will give Valerie my current one. I feel bad though, I told my brother he could have mine... Sigh again.

It was a great day complete with snow, dancing, laughing and memories.

The best on the way home was the "fake church lady" discussion. That was just too funny.

Anyway, it is 4 am and I need sleep. I got up extra-early to see Shannon, Ernie and girls today. That was a super-special treat that I much enjoyed.