Aloha

As Avery blew out the candles on the princess castle cake on her 3rd birthday, she said "I wish I could have a luau party!"  (We had gone to Party City that morning to pick out balloons and she thought all of the luau stuff was so cool).  She has literally been talking about a luau birthday party for the past YEAR!  We kind of loved the theme too, so we decided to go big! We hope it met her expectations!  Adam and I are not the most creative people, but Pinterest makes us look like we are.

Here are some of our decorations....

I have to share these because my super party planning sister-in-law wasn't able to come to the party (because she was literally about to have a baby - see next post). She would have appreciated our attention to detail.... And when I say "our," I mean it. Adam did just as much prep as I did! He has a secret artistic and crafty side to him that not too many people know about!

Little umbrella toothpicks poked into a cardboard number "4"

Those of you who know Avery well, you know that she would wear flip flops every day of the year if she could, so that is kind of what our "theme" revolved around...

Tropical Salsa in a Flip Flop

Flip Flop Nutter Butters

and of course, Flip Flop Cake!

 Pineapple pecan dip (looked better than it tasted)

 We can't take credit for this one....this awesome shark fruit salad was made by 

Mom-Mom (Adam's Mom)

 

Gotta promote the Mars products

No summer party is complete without some frozen beverages for the adults.  

Adam whipped up some Pain in the A$$es (copy cat version of Seacret's signature drink)!

Here is the mix-master himself...using his beer bottle holster (Father's Day gift!)

Avery had to open this gift (from her Great Uncle Bobbi and cousins Madi and Tori) right away so that her outfit could be complete....

A Coconut Bra to wear and a Coconut cup to drink out of!

These girls are too much!

We were so blessed to spend the day with family and friends.  This is one loved little girl!

Here is another cousin picture (literally taken just hours before her newest cousin was born!).

Cousin Ben!

Cousin Madi!

Brother Grayson!

Best buddy Sean!

Sean's brother, Evan, with Aunt RaRa!

And the tiniest kid there....Avery's soon-to-be girlfriend in a few years, Quinn (not quite 1 month old)!

The kids enjoyed some limbo....

Avery enjoyed opening some gifts....

But she really loves getting $$$! 

On a side note, our church is having a collection this week to help families still struggling from Hurricane Sandy. Avery had the idea of giving them some of her birthday money "so that they can buy toasters and ovens!" Proud parent moment for us! : )

We enjoyed some cake and ice cream.  She didn't make her wish out loud this year, so we'll have to wait to see what kind of party she will request next year! I'm sure she'll start talking about it soon.

After all this excitement, Daddy finally got to relax and get silly...

Glow stick glasses

Glow Stick headband.

The whole coconut bra thing is just bizarre on a little girl!

The weather was touch and go prior to the party.  But around 8:30 pm after most people had already left, it started to down pour.  We let the kids play in it while we cleaned up. When we came inside, I told Avery she could cross that off of our bucket list.  She clarified and told me that the list said "Dance in the Rain," not "Play in the Rain." So, Bob-Bob, the good sport that he is, went back out with Avery in the pouring rain to dance for a few minutes. 

"Dance in the in Rain" - Check!

Birthdays really are the best!  We had such a great day with friends and family! 

Thank you for all of the birthday wishes and for everything you do every day for our kids!