Phew...

What a week it's been!

Between doctor's appointments, blood tests and various end-of year meetings and functions, fabric bunting was sewn and hung;


Party guest gift bags were constructed (using a smaller, modified version of this pattern - I bought fabric remnant and folded it up until it looked bag-sized and then cut it into equal pieces, two per bag; one outer, one lining) and filled with stickers, coloured pens and lolly pops;


Preschool Christmas Plays were attended;

Card stock was cut and folded;

And craft supplies gathered;



Birthday girl ears were pierced with little gold hearts (a surprise present, and one extremely well-received);

Then, on party day, cards a plenty were made, pass-the-parcel played, the (made by Nanny) birthday cake was cut, gifts were opened, a towering pile of lollies and bottle of homemade chocolate sauce disappeared in record time during "make-your-own-ice cream sundaes",

...and finally the artfully constructed cards were packed up in their gift bags to take home.

This morning, apparently my social standing amongst the party-goers has been elevated, as I was informed by the other six and seven-year-old party-goers at school that it was "the best party ever!".

Nice to know that a cheap, at-home party can still compete with McDonalds et al :-)