Cool School

Years ago in Seattle, we had some youth in our ward host "Cool School". They plan a fun day for kids and then you pay them a few bucks to take your kids for a couple of hours and completely entertain them. I LOVED it! So the past few years I have tried to get some girls in my neighborhood to start it up but no one ever did it. Well this year as I was telling someone about it, I realized that Maggie was old enough to host it (with a little help and supervision from me). She was so excited about doing it. We quickly made a flier and planned 5 days to have 8-9, 4-7 year olds come over for crafts, games, activities and lunch. She was booked solid before we knew it. We have had 3 of the 5 so far and they have been a big hit.

4th of July Cool School
We started with Fireworks painting. Instructions here


Then made 4th of July Flip Flops (love the $1 spot at Target for the flip flops). We just tied cute red, white, and blue ribbons and tulle onto the flip flops and most of the girls could do this by themselves (Bonus!!!).


Lunch consisted of hot dogs, chips, grapes and fun patriotic popsicles (homemade by Maggie). Recipe here


Our last activity was decorating sugar cookies. Some of the girls went all out with frosting and Sugar. YUMMY!



And of course what activity would be complete with out a favor of some sort for the girls to take home. Maggie made these for each of the girls. Instructions here
We used scrapbook paper to wrap around life saver rolls (nearly impossible to find these. We went to about 4 different grocery stores before we finally found them at our local mini mart. Why don't they sell life savers anymore?)

Our first Cool School... pulled off fabulously with a big bang!!!

Teddy Bear Tea Party

This was the theme for our second day.
We started by making crowns. What kid doesn't love to squeeze out lots of glitter glue and stick foam stickers onto stuff.



We then made necklaces and bracelets. They lost interest before many of them finished so we ended up having necklaces for the stuffed animals they brought.


We then brought out all of our dress-ups and the girls chose their outfit for the tea party and then we proceeded to have a fashion show for each of them to show off their outfit. My favorite thing of the day was that Preston wanted to join in on the fun, so amongst all the princesses, rock stars, and cheerleaders, we had "BATMAN".





We then went into the Dinning Room for a "proper" tea party. We had flower shaped sandwiches, pretzels,  fruit kabobs, pazookies for dessert and lemonade.


By far my favorite picture of the day. Batman having tea.

Our last activity was a foam princess paper doll craft. 

Party Favor: Flower Suckers. Instructions here
A last fly by.

Second Cool School...I do declare it was a most enchanting day.

Spa Day

We had all the girls come today in their pajamas and had plans to pamper them. Maggie and Lindsey set up pedicure stations and as the girls worked on a fleece pillow (Instructions here) they took turns giving pedicures. We had candles and relaxing music playing. We were excited for this day.




After everyone had their toes done, we had an assortment of meats, cheeses, crackers and vegetables for lunch. We also served fresh fruit smoothies.


We finished off our spa/pajama day by making flower hair clips.



The party favor...bath sponges.

The girls were exhausted at the end of the day and had to relax at the spa themselves.


Spa Day Cool School...Relaxing, Rejuvenating, and Beautifying

Maggie's Birthday Party

We had another birthday in the Kargis home. Maggie turned 11 a few weeks ago. She wanted to have a Hello Kitty party at Cowabunga Bay. I kept suggesting surf themes or beach themes but she insisted on Hello Kitty. We decorated the cabana the best we could and had a little decoration on top of the cake, but that was about it. It was one of the easiest parties I have ever given. The girls loved being at the water park and had totally tubular time!!! We gave little beach bags with hello kitty t-shirts and a few little other hello kitty things like pez dispensers, cupcake rings and stickers in the goodie bags. It was a fun 11th Birthday. Can't believe she's that old.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Dance Recital

With the school year coming to an end our schedule is full of recitals, programs, graduations, and all sorts of fun activities. Last week the girls had their Dance Recital. "Dance Like a Princess". Both girls have throughly enjoyed their dance classes this year. Emma had a combination ballet/tap class and Maggie was in a jazz class. All their hard work and practice paid off at this great performance. Each of them even had a short solo in one of their dances.

Wicked Fun!

A couple of weekends ago, Maggie and I had a chance to fly to Seattle, drive to Portland, see Wicked the Musical and spend time with our great friends. WE had such a fun time. Our friends called us and said they had two extra tickets and Maggie and I didn't have to think twice. The show was amazing! It was my third time seeing it and maggie's second. It was even better than the last time. Everyone loved it. A few of the young girls were having birthday's so when we got back to the hotel after the show, Tiffany had planned a fun sleepover for all the young girls. They painted toes, ate yummy treats, watched movies and stayed up way too late. Then they were up at 7:00 to go for a morning swim. I was lucky enough to not be in charge and get to sleep in til 9:00. We had lunch in Portland and then headed back to Seattle and spent the evening at the Family Fun Center. Just like old times. We had a wonderful trip and are so glad that even after being away for 3 years, we can still go back and it feels like home. Thanks friends!!!!