we do FUN here! {a summer playdate}

Ever since school let out I'd been promising the little pumpkin that she could invite some of her best friends from school for a little playdate.

Well, June came and went and between our vacations and birthday parties time just got away from us. I couldn't let the same happen to July, so yesterday she finally got her wish!The inspiration for the decor came from these fun napkins I picked up at Target. I just love the colors - they scream sUMmeR to me...and wouldn't they be so cute for a rainbow inspired party?I had high hopes of setting the table up and cleaning the play area the night before but Hudson had other plans. He was NOT interested in sleep one bit. So after crashing right along with him, I woke up Friday morning with a LONG to-do list and not much time.Yes, even the hanging decorations from Hudson's birthday were still up - Aaaah! Luckily, Noonie brought over lunch for the littles and that gave me the extra time I needed to finish things up - thanks Noonie! In my usual fashion, I ran around the house pulling things from here and there and came up with a simple, sunshine-y tablescape.Yes, I could have skipped the table altogether...afterall it was just a playdate...but, well, that's just not me. So why not embrace what makes me smile...serving up a little dose of happy for sweet friends and enjoying their company. The little pumpkin's request: marshmallow pops. Simple enough and always a {kid} crowd pleaser. I even re-used the stands from Grace's Pink PreK Party - love it when it works out that way! Homemade french vanilla cupcakes topped with sprinkle fruit loops inspired by {these}.And the makeshift plaid runner? {This} sweet vintage pillowcase find which has yet to be turned into a pillowcase dress...I may just keep it as is :)I wanted the food to echo the "fun" theme. Mini turkey & cheese sandwiches and mini pbj's were kicked up a notch when I turned them into a caterpillar! The littles thought that was hilarious. Inspiration found {here}. Fresh fruit became a rainbow...complete with marshmallow clouds and a pot of gold. Inspiration via {here}. We had a make your own trail mix station......and some healthier snacks too ;) McKinley and her sweet mama surprised us with a cute cake & cupcakes combo...the best part: the toppers were rings! The girls LOVED that! Yum, yum, yum, yum, yum! So excited waiting for her friends to come over...They had so much fun! They played dress-up, drew pictures, hugged Jaxon (our dog) at least 10,000 times, and even had a mini piano concert by Lovi!Time for some treats! McKinley, Grace & Lovi...best of friends! These girly girls can be S-I-L-L-Y! Pretending to be bugs...with antennas, of course. Lovi and McKinley surprised Grace with these sweet treats. Thank you Lovi for the fun Fancy Nancy book! And thank you McKinley for the pretty ring!Grace insisted on wearing it to bed :)And in the end three pretty princesses had the best time and lived happily ever after. {cute art by Lovi}Thank you Lovi & McKinley (and your sweet mamas Shelly & Talicia) for coming over! We had the best time and we can't wait to do it again!
XOXO,
Grace & Jessica