Tennie's birthday party

Today we finally had Tennie's birthday party, and I must say right now that she wanted to plan and carry out every detail. I helped her make some lists, and took her shopping, and begged her to let me make her cake so that she had some kind of surprise (even if she did pick the design... and she let me). She had a budget of $20 and pulled off a very fun "Explorer Party".

A magnifying glass birthday cake

Practicing catching tadpoles before the party

Geoff delivering the lunches to the other side of the pond in preparation

After the guests arrived they had "Explorer Training".

The first "piranha" was caught!

Team One made it across "Piranha Pond"

Team Two made it alive through the Crocodile Territory

This little girl thought there were real worms in the bag and stewed and squirmed...until she closed her eyes, reached her hand in, pulled out a worm, and put it right in her mouth without hesitation! What courage! She was pleasantly surprised to find a gummy worm in her mouth!

Great posture and balance!

Ceci's partner was clearly doing most of the work...

Through the Spider's Nest

Good ol' dad dressed fully for the part

The group went on a Scavenger Hunt for some small toys and treats, as well as seed pods, wild flowers and real live bugs!


In our family the birthday person gets to eat as much cake as they want when we eat cake, and then we throw the rest out. While everyone shared the magnifying glass cake Tennie had her own.

She decided to give her face a little dip

The other kids thought it would be fun, too

Way to go Tennie!