If you’ve learned anything by following my rambles over the last two years, you probably know that I love birthdays. Really love. Like we start counting down 11 months before, talk incessantly about it,  buy presents 7 months in advance and stash them in so many places I forget where they are, cram so much in the day that it goes by too quickly and then as the sun sets on another birthday, start planning the next. That kinda love. 


So when my middle child said she wanted a party at home instead of at a ‘place’ (insert gymnastics, bouncey place, mini-golf, movies, here), I knew I had to make her 7th birthday extra special. Sure I could pull off a DIY party over Thanksgiving weekend, while I had a million other things going on. Why not?!

We called in the clowns for this one, and Hailey’s Carnival Extravaganza was a big hit. There was face painting, sand art, a big top piñata, candy and goodies, even clown noses and a pin the tail on the elephant game made by the big sister. My elves helped attach the personalized labels to 25 water bottles, and my friend Jen made the most gorgeous dipped pretzels and super fun carnival popcorn to make Hailey’s day even more perfect. (Locals, you must add her fun treats to your parties, they’re the best! Contact me for her info!)

Yes my living room is overflowing with newborn props, and my basement is still waiting for a contractor to sheetrock it.  Just ignore it all like we do, and step right up to Hailey Paige’s Carnival. 

Happy birthday to my crazy, cartwheeling-through-life, counter-climbing, head-standing, crazy, hysterically funny, crazy (did I say that already?) kid.