Party Prepping

I have been a little MIA this week mainly due to the fact that Andrew and I have been party prepping.  We have been working really hard to get our yard and home ready for our annual ‘Welcome Summer Party’ that we are hosting tomorrow night.  Every year it seems like we have so much time until it gets here and then WHAM! it’s here.  And we’re looking at each other like, uh….

So the yard is ready, big thanks to our kids who spent several really warm evenings running around outside while we rearranged, cut grass, edged, and planted new flowers.  Tomorrow morning {when it’s not 98° outside!} I have a few lanterns to hang in various fun places and then minor things to put out tomorrow afternoon before the crowd gets here.

The house is nearly there also – I have been picking up toys and magnets {the death of me} for the last hour.  I’ve pulled out all the buckets, the plates, napkins, cups and other fun things like these umbrella straws I found at World Market this afternoon!  {in the middle of the picture below ↓}

We are nearly there.

I’ll have a recap for y’all by Monday on all the fun.  Because there will be a lot of fun tomorrow night!

The key to a great party {in my very humble and inexperienced opinion} is don’t overdo it.  We catered food this year because last year was so great, so many people came, we literally ran out of food.  We also eat off of plastic plates, drink out of plastic cups {or whatever adult beverage container you bring} and use plastic flatware.  It’s casual here.  Kids run around like wild banshees all night long and it’s okay.  We rent a bounce house, we put out our corn hole game.  We set up the hammock and have casual areas for people to gather and fellowship.  It’s great.  Andrew and I wanted our home to be a fun place where people could come, fellowship with one another and not feel like things are fussed over.  {Just ignore me at 11 p.m. when I’m vacuuming and moping my floors…}

I’m thankful to have a place where we can open the doors and say, “Come on in, y’all!”

What’s your favorite annual party?