Hallie's Beach Ball Bash

This is how it started.....

.....and this is how it ended!!!

We've clearly established the fact that I love to throw a party. This incredible energy starts flowin' the moment I decide on a theme. Boxes started piling up in the spare bedroom back in May. A nice secret spot to collect items. Oriental Trading Company and I became best friends fairly quickly considering they had an amazing selection of beach ball items. I soon became obsessed with anything and everything beach ball related. The million dollar question was this.....how many beach balls is too many beach balls? Which soon led to....how many pools is too many pools? All though questions, you see? Sister was a doll and volunteered her day off to come and be my slave. Well, I'm not sure if that's what she had in mind but she was the two extra hands I'd been dreaming of that day.....

Putting the finishing touches on her masterpiece in a cup!

The three of us girls managed to throw in a little bit of fun in the midst of running around like crazy doing this and that.....taking the dog to the vet, swapping cars while mine was being detailed, having the dryer fixed, picking up the cake, picking up dinner and last but not least....DECORATING!!!

Testing out the beach ball glasses


Finishing up the signs

Making a door hanger out of some extra pieces 

We took turns expelling all of the air we could spare to blow up water toys, beach balls and pools. Hal was in heaven naturally and could be heard waltzing through out giant mess proclaiming that "dis be da bes birfday party ever!!!" THAT! That right there......her innocent observation and genuine excitement for what was to come. Made my heart swell. Aunt B put up with a lot that day. How she puts up with my neurotic tendencies I'll never know! I hated to see her go home that Friday evening....for two reasons....I loved her company more than she knew...and because I still needed two extra hands. Or four...or six. We were throwing Hal's party a week before her birthday this year because Nanny and Papa were going on vacation that same day. It worked out perfectly. My family volunteered to show up early to help get things ready. From past experience they must know there are always ten billion little details left to take care of. The weather gave us a few fits right before 2:00 rolled around. Lisa, David, Dara, Bailey and Spencer were all trying to distract me from the fact that rain was falling outside. I guess "party planning Ashley" can be a bit of a freakazoid at times. Luckily the rain passed before I had time to smack Riley upside the head for prancing around with a devilish grin reminding me that it was raining outside. The rain turned to mostly cloudy skies and the guys started up the slip and slides and the water slide rental had arrived was up in no time. Us girls were in the kitchen whirling around minus a certain birthday girl who had gone to the rodeo parade with Nanny that morning to save me from picking up hundreds of tiny little messes everywhere as I attempted to clean the house. Nanny, Papa and Kylie volunteered to keep Hallie up until the time of the party which was fantastic....for a few reasons.....less mess for sure....if she would've been around when the water slide arrived I think she may have already worn herself out by the time her friends arrived. I am forever grateful for my family for putting up with me on party day....they show up early without being asked....they help with anything and everything....just because. Everything was perfect and ready for a day of fun in the sun......

11:00 a.m.....sunny

Or maybe fun in the shade....

2:00 p.m.....shady and rainy

Dara was a doll and hung beach balls for me at the last minute....

Bailey came up with the idea to put beach towels over the kids' tables as tableclothes.....

Each spot had a sweet pair of beach ball sunglasses waiting for our special guests....

I found some awesome beach ball themed items from Oriental Trading Company. Loved this inflatable drink holder with a ball in the center....

It's not a real party without the Sweet Lulu gigantic balloons to send off to Grammy after the party....

The cake. Ohhhhhhhhhh, the cake. I had given The Cake Lady a picture of a two-dimensional beach ball cake...pretty simple and no biggie. THIS is what I walked into the store to find. I think I almost peed my pants with excitement!! "Is that mine??????!!!!!" Simply amazing.....

The food for this year's shindig was so much fun to prepare. Bailey made all of these blue jello desserts with beach bum gummy bears lounging on the "beach" under their umbrellas.....

My very very very most favorite thing on the food table was this four-pineapple-tall "palm tree." I'm sad to admit this but it was almost thrilling to make this tower of pineapples. I carved out the centers, stacked them with skewers and then placed the big leaves down in the center and fanned them out. Voila!

Blue tablecloths were a great way to cover up the wall behind the food table. I ordered her birthday banner from Etsy and made beach balls out of felt to hang on the wall. Bailey cut a giant sun out of yellow wrapping paper....

I snagged the perfect little beach ball picture holders at Hobby Lobby on clearance. Dancing in the aisle happened that day. Just ask my friend Jai....

I also found this sweet little beach sign on clearance. More dancing in the aisles of Hobby Lobby....

Pales made the perfect containers for food....

I was pretty pumped about my pigs in a beach blanket idea that came to me in the middle of the night. Yes, these are the things I think about when I should be sleeping....

Don't get me started on these mini pales full of Goldfish for the kiddos....

Beach pales, beach pales and more beach pales. I had so much fun shopping for the perfect candy to fill them up with.....

Highlight of the day: the moment that Hallie got to the house prior to the party and walked into the living room to spot the water slide in the backyard. She took off in a dead sprint (I kid you not) and without hesitation climbed up it in less that two seconds and woosh.....

I didn't have a clue that a three-year-old could sprint as fast as she did on her way through the backyard to the stairs of the slide. Excited is just not the word. I don't have one for it except this: unforgettable.

Precious. Precious. Precious memory. We watched her and laughed as she made her way up and down and back up and down and back...well, you get the picture. In the blink of an eye guests started arriving and they poured in until the entire backyard was swarmed with kiddos and adults. Hallie did not stop moving. It was water fun overload for her and she loved every single minute of it. So did her tiny little guests who showed up in their suits for some water fun.....

Bhric shooting some hoops

Hallie getting Marleigh's feet wet with the slip n slide

Bowen was the first to test out the tube slip n slide

Birthday girl wore herself out in this thing

Kaydence was looking precious in her Hello Kitty suit

Hal's BFF playin some bball

Austin was a fixture on the slide for most of the party

Hal's favorite big girl, sweet Josie, trying out the slide

Hal's twin friends, Jaidynce and Jocelyn, showed up looking cute as ever in their matching bikinis

Cute cousin Jessi taking a stroll with big sis Hannah

Although Miss Vivi wasn't swimming she was the life of the party with her sweet cheeks

Hopping from pool to pool 

Studly Sam ready to swim

Big sister Eve helped Jasper have some water fun

Too much cuteness

Jude finally joined in the fun!

Carmen Jo slept the afternoon away but showed up for the tail end of the shindig

Her adorable suit made her look like Bam Bam with that bat ;)

Birthday girl's red-headed soul sister with the same name was ready for a good time

Hallie Jae seems unsure about something here ;)

With over fifty people filling the backyard we had plenty of sets of eyes watching the little ones have a blast...

Grandma Ida and Bill

I was so glad the husbands came along with my girlfriends

Speaking of girlfriends....how gorgeous are these ladies?!?

Dara dumping buckets on Hal

What would I do without this girl? Not sure!

The two best party helpers a girl could ask for ;)

Aunt MaryAnn made the LONG trip from Tulsa for the party that afternoon and we were so glad to have her, Jessi, Hannah and Angela ;)

At long last, after an hour of swimming and sliding and slipping, it was finally time to cut into that amazing cake.....

The candle blew out on Nanny and I's trip out the door but Hallie did her best to pretend to blow it out after everyone sang to her....

My outgoing gal turned into a shy girl once everyone focused in on her and began singing. She clung to my arm and leg with a sweet grin on her face....

Nanny and I served every last bit of that cake along with some homemade ice cream she made. I wasn't sad at all that I didn't get to taste it. Nope, not at all. Promise.......okay.......I was devastated. What can I say? I LOVE SUGAR!

While Hal continued to frolic with her friends I did my best to make my way around to chat with everyone. I just can't say enough about how wonderful it was to see so many loved ones and friends all together at one time. Blessed we are.....

The happy Humphrey Fam

Sarah and her cute lil man

Justin loooooooooooves the camera....and clearly the camera loves TeNeil

Gorgeous girls Kate and Josie

The Fanning crew

The Vaps

The Mungers

Beauties Lauren and Kaydence

Four more Vaps (one is still cooking!)

Whitney, the girls and her amazing momma Donna

The Williams Fam

The Millers

Cousins and sisters

Daddio and Meg 

The cake and ice cream had been devoured in a matter of minutes which meant it was time to open presents. This next part I'm about to share with you is something I am so upset about not getting on video. From the way she reacted to all the gifts to the confetti fight with her little friends....I'm bummed that I forgot to give the video camera to Riley. So here is my best attempt at describing a very funny and chaotic scene....

I made the mistake of dragging the presents out on the crowded porch and plopping my sugared up girl into the middle of them. Before I could even think she was ripping (and I mean RIPPING!) into the gifts. Cards were flying, paper was everywhere and I had NO CLUE who gave what....heck, I didn't even know where Hallie was hiding in all of the pink and purple flying through the air. Pretty sure I looked like a mad woman looking around for someone to holler out "that's one is from us" as she continued to tear through the goodies. She. Was. Precious.

I love this next picture of her wearing her dressup crown....

She gave sweet hugs and thank you's to her friends nearby as she opened up her gifts. Is there really anything cuter than little people hugging???

Nope. Nothing cuter. 

The crinkly confetti that poured out of a gift from the Vaps quickly became a hit among the kiddos. Let the confetti fights begin!!

Confetti face

Marleigh girl clearly wasn't a big fan of the confetti fight

Hmmmm. I wonder why.....

"Take that!"

Sister excitedly opened up a big giant purple tub FULL of dressup gear and accessories from Aunt Lisa,  Uncle David and Garrett. Three-year-old heaven....

A leg hug for Lisa

THIS>>>>>> THIS RIGHT HERE IS WHY I DO THE CRAZY, OUTRAGEOUS, TIME-CONSUMING THINGS I DO>>>>>>>>

After receiving more gifts than any little girl could dream of she returned the gesture and passed out little beach ball bags that she had helped me fill with chalk, water guns, bubbles and candy. 

The crowd died down around 4:00 but we kept the party going outside on the porch thanks in part to these ridiculous beach ball glasses......

The kids were party animals let me tell ya. Who wants to clean up the mess????

"Not me!"

Our neighbor Cason stopped by with his dad to bring a thoughtful girly gift and Hal returned the favor by handing him a beach ball drink and a goodie bag. The innocence of these interactions just slays me....

"Here ya go...tank for coming."

After all of the goodie bags were handed out and the guests had said goodbye we cut the balloons loose and sent some birthday love up to Grammy.....

One giant balloon stayed behind though. Hallie insisted on having it tied to her ankle. Don't ask. ;)

We moved the party inside and broke out the new toys! Aunt Deedee helped Hal with her new babydoll....

The family time that followed the party was good for my soul....

The house was cleaned up in the blink of an eye. That's how things go when my family stays behind to help. I could thank them a billion times but they still wouldn't know how much I appreciate their willingness to help.

The bikers rode off to avoid the rain....

Hal gave a sleepy goodbye....

And then promptly passed out on Gman's lap...

Never have I seen a more tired little Hal. She was the epitome of a party animal that day. I devoured every second of her overwhelming joy and happiness. I think we all felt this way once the day was done...

A short cat nap and some dinner later she was raring to go again and assisted me in sorting through her huge pile of gifts. Books and puzzles in one pile. Movies in another. Enough clothes to never repeat an outfit for school this year. Purses and animals in one and dressup clothes and accessories in their respective boxes. She threw on a necklace, hair extensions, her doggy carrier, a princess skirt and a tiara.....a legit princess....

She was enthralled in all of her new goodies. A smile was permanently fixed on her face.....

The dressup kit was a huge hit!

The playing continued into the next day and night. That girl touched every single toy and her playroom told that story very well. I couldn't see the floor by the end of Sunday. 

A fairy princess helped me make Sunday morning breakfast.....

Sunday afternoon was the perfect time to take a slide through the tunnel and splash around with the birthday girl. Since I didn't make the cut for the water slide weight limit I was itching to get in on the water action. And this girl was tickled that she had momma in the water tunnel with her....

And also a goofy daddy wearing a pink hair extension chest bumping beach balls at her....

It's plain to see that this beach girl had the time of her life that weekend.....

Another unforgettable birthday and I wouldn't have it any other way.