At each birthday we are amazed at how much older and wiser our children are becoming. Each birthday seems like a rite of passage for all of us, and sometimes we just wish we could slow down time.
The Birthday Girl
Every other year we give the kids a choice whether to have a friend party or do a family activity. Honestly, I’m always thrilled when they want to do a family activity – 1. they want to spend time with us; 2. it’s definitely less stressful! However, this year Hannah asked to have a friend party. With a December birthday, this isn’t always the easiest feat, even if it is only to find a date without other events going on.
Party of Girls!
We planned well in advance and almost every single guest was able to make it on a Saturday morning to the local mall. We set the parents free to do some Christmas shopping and we took the girls on a Mall Scavenger Hunt!
Laying Down the Rules
After splitting off into two groups and setting out some guidelines, we gave each group a list of items to look for . . . using their own creativity.
Riding the Escalator
The girls went full-tilt and it took everything I had to keep up with my group. But, they were very creative and had a great time looking for as many clues as they could find.
Primping at Claire’s
I definitely found the favorite stores for this age group – Claire’s and Apple! It was hard to get them out of either of these stores to continue the scavenger hunt!
Checking out the New Devices at Apple
We were in our last few minutes of our time allotment and the girls saw people were sitting in a Lego race car at the center of the mall and getting their pictures taken. They decided this would fit the bill of the clue “sit in a race car” so we stood in the queue. I don’t think they realized how long the boys would take ahead of us, each one taking their own individual turn in the car, with any and all groupings possible. By the time it was our turn, the girls told the lady Hannah was the birthday girl and she would sit in the seat while they stood around her. After a quick photo, we were off to join the other group.
Race Car Driving
On our way back, one of the girls saw the ‘mall transport’ dropping someone off at one of the stores. She asked the driver if they could take a quick picture to fulfill the clue “a car that’s not our own”. They took a quick picture with the good-natured driver and started to hop off the car. The driver asked where they were headed and offered to drive them.
Photo-op
It would be exaggerating if I said that this was the highlight of the whole experience for the girls. I think it made their day! The driver cranked the little stereo in the car and the girls rode through the mall, waving to everyone that would wave back.
Cruising the Mall
After the driver dropped us off at the end of the mall, we raced downstairs to meet the other group. We went through each groups’ photos and tallied up the scores. Each group did so well and were very competitive! One group won by points and the other group won with creativity. So everyone enjoyed the sweets we gave out as prizes.
Viewing Teams’ Photos
As parents started to gather with us from their shopping outings, Hannah opened her gifts from the girls. It was so sweet to see how well the girls knew what Hannah liked – lots of crafts and sketching materials!
Opening Gifts
I was happy to see that the girls were excited about the goody bags we had put together for them, which contained their packed lunches.
Goody Bags
After gifts, lunch, and cupcakes, the girls headed out. We cleaned up the rubbish and were off with no extra cleaning or worries. It was the perfect low-stress birthday party!
Eating Goodies
The next day we were able to celebrate Hannah’s actual birthday at home.
Eleven Candles
Her chosen dinner of choice was shish kabobs, which pleased everyone as we only reserve them for special occasions!
Gifts
Hannah enjoyed receiving crafts, books, and clothes for her birthday. She was especially excited about her own Oyster card for London transport. It really is a rite-of-passage for a city-child!
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