Kendall's "Almost" Slumber Party

For Kendall's 6th birthday, she really wanted to have a slumber party.  She was all about sleeping bags and facials and popcorn.  However, Mommy wasn't too sure about having a bunch of 6-year-olds sleeping here when Little Miss Priss still wakes up at least once most nights.  She goes back to sleep for me, but would the other girls if they were sneezed awake?  And what happens when you get the one who wants to go home at 2 AM?

Not something I wanted to deal with.

So, instead, we planned an "almost" sleepover, complete with PJ's, popcorn, pillow fights, pizza, and a movie.  The girls had so much fun, and this was the first party where I found myself just sitting back and letting it happen.  This was also the first time Kendall took care of the invites -- Mommy had nothing to do with who was invited.  What a relief for me, too!  Usually, there is so much stress that goes into planning a birthday party - I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but if you invite this friend, you have to invite this one and this one so you don't upset anyone.  You know how it goes.  But this year, Kendall invited girls from her kindergarten class and dance class.  That's it.  And all the girls were the same age, which made it nice when it was time to play games.  All the girls had just completed their first year in school, so they were well-versed in waiting their turns and listening to directions.  On the day of the party, five 6-year-old girls arrived at 5 PM in their PJ's, ready for some fun.

We started with painting pillowcases.  I bought white pillow cases for the girls to paint with fabric paint in all kinds of glittery pastels.  They stamped and painted until there was no room left.  While the mess was cleaned up, the girls ran around the house with their stuffed animals and squealed. Literally.  Just in a big circle.  It was cute.

After painting, we ate pizza, Kendall's favorite food of the moment.  Then we played a few games (Toss the Bed Bugs and Hot Slippers), in which two prizes were won and lots of goodies filled the goody bags.  After games, we ate cake and opened presents (Side note -- It was so nice only have 5 girls.  Less mess to clean up when opening presents!!), then settled down in our sleeping bags with our sleep masks and popcorn to watch a Hannah Montana flick.  Then, when the movie was over at 8, the mommies showed up to take their girls home!

So much fun!  I highly recommend it.  Kendall got all the fun of a sleepover minus the staying up super late and  talking all night long.  The girls left before anyone could start getting caddy or bossy.  And, naturally, Kendall was so tired when everyone went home that she crashed.

Another plus?  She was already in her PJ's so she could just jump into bed after brushing away the sugar bugs (of which there were many) on her teeth.

And one more plus?  Super frugal -- I did this entire party, with food, cake, goodies, craft, and movie for around $100.  Love it!!