bigs' valentine parties

madelyn loved getting dressed up for a "red, pink and white" spirit day. she was even more excited for the party! what she and mason didn't know is that i had managed to work things out that i could help at both of their parties today! this is the first time i have ever been able to help with a party in madelyn's class - ever!

they knew that i was sending snacks for both parties (again, i signed up for the same option at each school to try and keep things from being too confusing). i made a fun candy coated "party popcorn" (super yummy and simple) and fruit cups with heart cut strawberries and blueberries.

first was madelyn's party. she was so surprised to see me in her classroom! it was so much fun to get to see her and the other familiar faces in her classroom. apparently, as the kids get older, it gets harder and harder to get volunteers - there were only 3 of us.

one of the best valentine boxes - a hot air balloon - super simple.

madelyn was excited to share her homemade valentines.

proof that i was actually with her during the school day!

the kids had a great time with the games, minute-to-win it style.

transferring m&ms with a straw

building conversation heart towers with chopsticks

bingo

snack time - the fruit was a surprise hit.

and then i was off to mason's school across town. i couldn't believe it when i saw that their parties didn't overlap and there was enough time to make the drive. seriously excited.

mason was pretty excited to see me too! although, he wasn't surprised because the kids with parents coming were picked at group leaders so he had already learned i was coming. i was really excited to put faces to all of the friends he talks about at home.

the kindergarteners worked around to each table station as groups.

what i hadn't really thought through was that mason's party went until 3:30 and madelyn's school got out at 3:20. thankfully, her bus doesn't get to our house until 3:45. i was just going to make it. while we waited the five minutes we beat her bus by, mason and i took a picture because i realized that we didn't get one in his classroom.

once we had madelyn buckled in we drove over to pick the little boys up from a friend's house. i had racked my brain for someone who did not yet have elementary schoolers and might be willing to watch both boys for a few hours this afternoon. i am just so thankful for the gift she gave me!

now it was time for the bigs to go through the spoils of their parties.

mason drew luke skywalker and darth radar fighting on his bag

these wooden mustache valentines were the hit of madelyn's party. the kids started 'wearing' them as soon as they could look in their boxes.

i was completely exhausted but totally happy to have been given the opportunity to spend time with the kids at school. i have waited so long! love.