Ryan shared her birthday party this year with her soccer friend, Hannah! Ryan turned 9 in March and Hannah turns 9 in May so the girls had a birthday party in April to compromise. The theme was soccer (surprise, surprise). We rented out the Futsal (a type of indoor soccer) facility that the girls play at. We had 40 kids at the party. We organized a tournament for all the kids and did our best to balance the teams. We balanced them so well, that neither of the birthday girls' teams made it to the "finals." In my book, that 's perfect because they got enough attention and plenty of presents... let someone else win the prizes!
The girls matched all the way down to their indoor cleats!
It's very hard to decorate a stale ol' warehouse that holds sweaty soccer players 7 days a week but we did our best. We made a candy bar...
And made favors and soccer themed cupcakes! All in black and gold of course!
GO BEACH!
A group shot of the players at the end of the tournament! The pink team and Orange team played in the final competition and the Orange team was the big winner!
(Can you notice what Orange Team member HAD to pose for the group picture?)
There were so many kids, I couldn't even get close enough to see the birthday girls' faces during singing "Happy Birthday!"
One of Charlie's favorite 1st grade friends, Style, played in the birthday tournament too!
This shot of Ryan's McGaugh friends came out blurry but I had to include it!
After the party, we came home to open presents!
This gift was a big hit. (I can't imagine why!!)
"BARCA!"
Happy Birthday Ryan! I'm glad that you got to have your "dream" birthday party!
Our life is certainly all soccer... but I wouldn't change it for anything! I love watching these happy girls!
I will end though by mentioning that Ryan had the nerve to say, "Mom, next year I turn double-digits. Do you think we can do something special for my birthday?"
I replied, "Uhhhhh excuse me, my dear.... are you implying your last 9 birthdays have not been special???"
Oh boy, we have created some little birthday monsters around here!
