playhouse raising

I wasn't sure what to expect from this big, heavy box sent to Rachel Claire by Aunt Rachel and Uncle Dave for her birthday....so I called in the reinforcements, handy people I know and bartered putting up the playhouse for grilled food and refreshments. It worked out well although I always worry about the fact that many of my friends don't know each other - thus the need for nametags.

We had 13 kids and various adults here during the evening, and as you might imagine, there were times when it was rather chaotic...and when everyone left I wasn't sure I could ever get things cleaned up, and there were many helping hands to make sure I didn't have to do it alone.

But I usually like to clean up solo because I know where everything goes and such....can't help myself. And Rachel Claire got to have some quality time with Grandpa Don, someone she doesn't get to see very often. For not having a dad, RC has lots of grandparents, which is a good thing.

All day before the party I told Rachel Claire we were going to have a party and lots of people were going to come over and that we were going to have to SHARE all of our toys. I wasn't sure she was going to get it when it came down to it, but she was AWESOME! In fact, I didn't have to referee one toy issue with Rachel Claire all night....so the next day I made sure to tell her what a great job she did with that topic. She had a great time playing with all of our friends...and I was so busy making sure everything was ok that I forgot to feed Rachel Claire! Yikes. But luckily, Luana reminded me that I needed to do that...although I needn't have worried, when RC is in her element like that, she is too distracted to eat....she barely eats when nothing is going on, let alone having 12 friends over!

So, we are the proud owners of a newly constructed playhouse, that Rachel Claire and Carson enjoy playing in. Thanks everyone who came and made it all possible! Now we'll just have to get it down to the basement for winter....and thanks to Kathi and Grandpa Don for the photos.

Look at all those kids!