COUSIN NIGHT!!!!!

The days are getting shorter, Kindergarten and preschool are on the horizon, we are enforcing a regular bedtime to get in the groove and picking out school clothes and supplies. In short, Summer is almost over. We asked the kids if there was anything fun they had not had a chance to do this summer. "SLEEPOVER!!" was the emphatic answer. We let them take control of the invitations, activities, guest list and gift bags. The result was a 7 kid sugar-fest and sleepover (A.K.A. Sugar-Crash). The somewhat short notice left us minus a few cousins due to previous plans but given its resounding success we certainly plan to do it again. The youngsters began to arrive around 3 on Saturday with toys, treats and sleeping bags. We started with the sprinkler and some T-Ball.

q2 Cousins Arrival and T-Ball

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We then distributed canisters of Silly String for the next phase. In the hands of our partiers the nozzle was like a video game gas pedal inasmuch that they pressed it down and didn't let go until game over. The largest ball of silly-string after clean up garnered the reward of 1st Water-Balloon pick in the next game. Mabel took the prize and an especially large water-balloon. It started as a simple toss back and forth between partners but when the first balloon popped it was every one for themselves.

q3 Silly String and Water Balloons

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We moved onto treats and cupcake making to induce a few sugar buzzes. Quite a creative group we had here. Cookies, cupcakes, Puppy Chow and "decorations" that failed to make it to their intended cupcake served as appetizers for the Hot Dogs on the grill, baked beans and chips. Each family left with their cupcake creations to bring home and share with Mom and Dad the next morning.

q4 Treats and Cupcake Making

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"Summer, summer, summer, summer...."

For anyone not "in the know" this is the first scene in High School Musical 2, a new favorite in the Lallo house. After some outside antics with glow sticks and fireflies the crew came inside and used the aforementioned chant as their request for evening entertainment. Great group participation in the musical numbers and dances. This movie is geared toward a younger crowd than is implied by the title and is surprisingly entertaining even for the adults. Anything is better than Barney but even Jen and I find ourselves singing from these soundtracks. A few especially fidgety and giggly little girls fought sleep a bit longer than the rest of the crew but eventually all were peacefully sleeping. A heartfelt thank you to Chris, Mabel, Ellie, Stosh and all of their parents for their part in a wonderfully memorable "End of Summer" sleepover.

q5 Fun at Night and Sleepover

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