Delilah's aDORAble party!!

If you haven't known me for very long you may not be aware of this, but most of you should already know that the military insists on screwing up my life at any chance it gets.  Well, this year did not disappoint in that regard!  :-)  Russell had to go for his annual required training through the military reserves (AT or active training).  The commercials often boast that the reserves only require a "one weekend a month, plus 2 weeks a year" commitment.  I find this hilarious because more often than not, Russell's training is generally closer to 3 weeks.  But, in any case, this year he was scheduled to be gone over Delilah's birthday.  We originally scheduled her party for the first weekend in March (2 weeks after her actual birthday).  Well, once Russell FINALLY got his orders and booked his flights, we realized that he was not going to make it back in time for the planned party.  So, we had to move her party back an additional week - poor thing!

Her party was scheduled for the afternoon of March 10th.  Russell's cousin, Katie, came into town to help out with the kids,so that I was able to run around town finishing up last minute details.  They were predicting a little bit of snow.  Nothing major, I believe it was about 2-4."  I wasn't too worried because they had already over-predicted a couple of snowstorms this winter.  But, the snow started to fall...and fall...and fall.  I think all told, we got about 8" of snow.  It wasn't as bad by our house as some other areas got it.  There were white-out conditions and parts of the interstate closed.  We started receiving cancellations from party guests.  But, the party must go on!  I made this poor pumpkin wait long enough - I wasn't about to cancel it on her!  And honestly at her age, I think she would have been content if her party consisted of just Jameson and her.  :-)

Fortunately, we didn't have very far to drive.  We reserved the Saddlebrook community center for her party.  It's just over a mile North of our house.  A brave few still made it to her party, primarily it was people who lived out our way.   Delilah bounced her little heart out in the bounce house.  They also had out various toys, like a little basketball hoop, a slide, hula hoops, etc.  The kids all seemed to have a blast!  Then it was time to eat and to sing to the birthday girl.

Delilah's birthday shirt spells out three in Dora fabric.  It was made by my friend, Bryn of The Upper Room.

Please forgive me, I worked really hard on her favors and since a lot of Delilah's friends weren't able to come to get them...I'm posting a bunch of pictures here.  :-)

We had favor bags decorated like Backpack.

In each bag there was: a Dora party blower, napkin, stickers, PB&J uncrustables, Dora yogurt, Dora fruit snacks, mini banana (for Boots), string cheese decorated like Map and a wipe to clean their hands before they ate - because who knows what those little monkeys got into!

Map's face on the string cheese was drawn by none-other than my very talented husband.  Of course, AFTER we got to the party location, because that's how he rolls.  :-)

Delilah's cupcakes were baked by her Uncle Ben and decorated by his very talented fiancee, Brooke!

And if that wasn't enough, everyone got to go home with a cookie...Dora, Boots or an Explorer Star.  These were made by my very talented friend, Ashley of Sweet Bites.

...however, very few people waited until they got home to devour their cookies...

Delilah NEEDED a pink star...but, she wouldn't let me take a nice picture of her eating it!

Happy birthday, silly girl!