Surf Monkey Luau/Party

Since Taft's birthday is on a Tuesday, we decided to have his Florida party the weekend prior and the Alabama party the weekend after. Our theme for the Florida party was Surf Monkeys. We thought it would be perfect with the pool. We had BBQ chicken, hot dogs, potato salad, pasta salad, chips, fruit kabobs, baked beans, and of course - cupcakes and ice cream. We also had lots of Hawaiian punch and water with umbrellas for the cups and bottles.
As we started to decorate, Shane had to remind me that it was over the top and not needed, which he said with each item that I brought out. But he still arranged the tables the way the way that I wanted, helped put the leis garland up, and the grass skirts around the tables. He was even okay with Shelby dog wearing a grass skirt and leis. She did look cute!

I made Taft's cupcakes and his little mini cake. I had never worked with fondant so it was an eye opener. There is a reason that those bakeries charge 2 dollars a cupcake. It took me about 12 hours to bake, make the icing, and make with items from the fondant. Of course I had to take breaks to feed Taft and entertain him. I love the way that they turned out and I would so do it again for him. We ended up with about 40 or so people here and most everyone enjoyed the pool. Taft loves beach balls but they wear all to big for him to hold. When I ordered his party supplies they had a dozen 6 inch beach monkey beach balls. We had them all in the pool and the are the right size for a little boy. =) Taft enjoyed the first half of his party swimming with Cheyenne and Miss Lauren. I was busy with party things and was so lucky to have my friend Casey here. She is a professional photographer and was able to take all his photos. Also - Lauren let us borrow all her folding tables and chairs as did Stacy and Brian. Wes was very nice to bring over a table and Dawn and Chey came early to help set up. Without them all, we would have never gotten it all done. And with out Oriental Trading we would not have been able to afford it all.

After cake (which Taft had no interest in and was not happy when I tried to get him to eat some icing) Taft was so tired. I took him in and he drank some juice and then slept for about 2 hours. He wasn't even up to give out his cute little treat boxes. When he woke up, all his guest had gone home and we were able to open gifts together. He got great gifts!

It was so much fun and so much work and we were all very tired after we were finished. For more photos you will have to go to the facebook page.