Wednesday, September 2, 2015

4th Annual Summer Sleep-Over at Ma's

Oh my word!  I have been trying to get this post finished for over a week.  Every time I sit down to type, download pictures, edit, you name it, I get some type of interruption.  Hopefully today it will be finished! :) The last and favorite event of the summer has concluded: The Annual Summer Sleepover at Ma's.    The kids and my mom look forward to their annual tradition all year.  Actually, she has probably already started pinning and planning for next year's sleepover.  :)  This year she WAY out did herself with a drive-in movie theatre theme and an endless list of other activities.  She wanted me to mention the majority of the printables she used for the weekend came from Fun Fleece.  I hopped over to the site last night and there are so many super cute and FREE (thank you, thank you, thank you) printables.  When you have a minute please take a look . The kids have been helping my mom prepare for a couple of months.  Each time they would go over to her house (usually during the ladies Bible study I attend) they would work and plan just a little bit more.  They would come home so excited to tell me what new details were being added to their weekend full of fun.  In the beginning, the kids had never heard of a drive-in movie theatre, so my mom wanted to  make sure they got the full experience.  Just a few of the drive-in details included:
  • making their own cardboard cars with detachable trays for their concession food
  • a fully functioning concession stand (with prices for each item)
  • concession items were purchased with tickets (Mom gave the kids 18 tickets and I added tickets throughout the week for working hard during school hours)
  • everyone was given their own flashlight to use while walking from the cars to the concession stand (she kept the lights in the house off to add to the effect)
My mom's philosophy with the kids is "keep'em busy".  So, when they weren't watching a movie the following activities happened over the course of the weekend.
  • played in the blow up kiddie pools (which looked very tiny now that the kids are so big) :)
  • craziness ensued with a large shaving cream slip and slide
  • glow-in-the-dark drinks
  • homemade cocktails (mocktails) with a rating system, umbrellas, and tiny swords with cherries
  • DIY suncatchers with ponybeads
  • 200 water balloons (Balloon Bonanza - you fill up 25 balloons in one shot)
  • homemade ice cream made by shaking the ingredients in a bag
  • trip to McDonald's to actually eat INSIDE and play (this is a big deal) :)
  • DIY picnic tablecloth with rock weights to give as a gift to Mommy and Daddy :)
Like I said, she keeps'em busy! :)  When we pick them up on Sunday I confiscate here camera and memory card so I can get all the crazy pictures. :)  Take a look.
Working on their cars weeks before the big event
Headed out with concession stand tickets in hand

Concession stand, popcorn was placed in the clear bowl and it was the only free item.  All other items cost tickets. :)

Lined up in the bedroom ready to watch "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"  
Notice all the details on the cars - eeeee!!!

This is a great view of the compartments for food and a favorite stuffed animal. :)

They will forever remember this. 

Water balloons, kiddie pools, and slip-n-slide

Filling up the water balloons, these things are awesome!

Giant shaving cream slip-n-slide.  I think she said it was ten cans of shaving cream!

I am not really sure what is happening here but it looks like fun!

DIY sun catchers made with pony beads

Homemade ice cream made in a bag
Judging by the look on my youngest son's face, I think he took another trip to the concession stand.

So you may be wondering, what did Charlie and I do since the kids were gone for the weekend?  

We were totally bored, pathetically, ridiculously bored!  My mom didn't plan activities for us so we had nothing to do! :)  We both vowed to each other that next year we have to go out of town or at least something that is out of the house. :)  Or maybe we could just tag along to the sleepover.

Then again... :)














2 comments:

  1. What fun!! looks like a great time. Fun ideas! I am 48. I graduated in my 20's and certified to teach. But I chose to stay at home with my kids. It was the best decision I ever made. This is my first year as a full time teacher. My middle child is a senior. I sure see a difference between his verbal comprehension and that of some of my other students. I think all those hours of bedtime novels read aloud over the years made a huge difference. I did home school my youngest two during a time when public school wasn't working well for our family. What wonderful memories we all have of that time! I don't think you will ever regret your choice! Best wishes!

    Reply Delete
  2. What fun!! looks like a great time. Fun ideas! I am 48. I graduated in my 20's and certified to teach. But I chose to stay at home with my kids. It was the best decision I ever made. This is my first year as a full time teacher. My middle child is a senior. I sure see a difference between his verbal comprehension and that of some of my other students. I think all those hours of bedtime novels read aloud over the years made a huge difference. I did home school my youngest two during a time when public school wasn't working well for our family. What wonderful memories we all have of that time! I don't think you will ever regret your choice! Best wishes!

    Reply Delete