Welcome to Camp Canon!

I realize that you have all been waiting with bated breath to hear about Canon's birthday party, so without further ado, I invite you to Camp Canon.

The night before the party, Craig and I built this tent that I hope to be able to use in a playroom one day. {We used Ana White's tutorial for anyone wondering.}

We created different stations for the children. We had an art station, a fishing station, and a games station. Each activity completed earned them a badge to add to their sash. They also received a drawstring backpack with camping gear {flashlight, binoculars, compass, whistle, and a magnifying glass} to help them explore along the way.

See the fire badge on Canon's sash? That was for being the birthday boy. The other badges that all of the kids could earn were an art badge, a fishing badge, and a games badge, which of course I don't have pictures of.

Even the cupcakes had "roasting marshmallows" on top to continue the theme. *Sidenote: this was the first time I have ever made cupcakes and they were actually good! Nevermind the fact that they were made from a box mix. I actually did it! Go me.*

I made small campfires for each table. 

 The kids ate hot dogs in the tent and drank lemonade from their own canteens.

There were plenty of things that didn't go as I planned.

1.} I had gotten a craft for the children - they were to make a foam picture frame. Then I was going to take a picture of all of the kids that came and send it to them for their frame. Thankfully, I had also gotten stickers which is what they wanted to do instead. Of course.

2.} We had planned to roast marshmallows on the fire pit. The men were doing what men do - building and feeding the fire when all of a sudden the bottom fell out - literally. Apparently, the metal center of the pit had corroded so much {thanks sea salt air of Florida} that the fire finished the job and fell through to the ground. Luckily only the men were around at the time and were able to ensure that it was stable and safe so we were still able to use the fire for s'mores. Priorities.

3.} We had planned to watch a movie outside {Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Great Outdoor Adventure, naturally}, so my brother borrowed a projector for us and I hung a sheet from the fence for a nice big "screen". Of course, my computer wouldn't read the DVD so that plan was scrapped. The kids didn't seem to mind since they were still going strong playing anyway.

4.} At the end of the night, Craig, Canon, and I were going to camp outside {in a real tent}, but Craig got sick so we ended up spending the night in our own beds inside. So much for that.

The thing is, though, the kids had a blast and Canon kept saying "this is awesome!" so I think it is safe to say that he had a good time.

I had so much help from my family and friends too that I can't even begin to thank them enough. Everything from food prep to borrowing tables to "manning the stations", they were troopers.

This was a great way to round out the birthday week for Canon, and I think I am finally getting the hang of this "everything doesn't have to be perfect for the kids to have fun" thing. Finally.