Thanksgiving party ideas for Kids

In two days I will have 30 adults and 12 children in my home for a Thanksgiving Party.  My home is not really large enough for 42 extra people.  Not at all.

We will be cozy and that's ok! This is my 6th annual Thanksgiving "Friendsgiving" Party.  My sister and I came up with the idea when we decided we wanted a fun, drama free Thanksgiving dinner with all our favorite people. 

Unlike family dinners where there can be uhh, issues, and you have to go along with things you may not want to do this would be an evening of laid back fun.

This year, in addition to the 30 adults, we have 12 children coming.  The kiddos are aged 7 months to 12 years, with most of the kids in the 1st grade to 3th grade range. My sister and I came up with several ideas to keep the kids happy and busy.  

Here are a few of the ideas we came up with. 

1) Butterscotch popcorn in small bags - ready for them when they arrive! Well fed children are happy children (I realize butterscotch popcorn is not healthy, but hey, this is a party!)

2) Trader Joe's Pumpkin Bread mix in cupcake holders to decorate as cupcakes.

3) Craft projects (I took advantage of the local craft store's 25% off everything coupon including sale items.  All the thanksgiving items were 40% off and then the additional 25% off.  I got some killer deals!) 

4) Movie playing for older kids in the playroom. 

5) Kid friendly entrees and side dishes. We will have kid friendly Mac 'N' Cheese, roasted carrots, turkey shaped peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, and their cupcakes for dessert. 

6) I happen to have a huge playroom right off the kitchen so the tv will at one end and tables with crafts will be on the other end. I will have seating for all 12 of them.  While the rest of the adults will be eating off of real plates I have "real" looking plastic plates for the kiddos.

7) Hot cocoa bar - yumm!

I can't wait to see how much fun the kiddos like all our fun ideas......I will post pictures of the party after it happens this Saturday! 

What tips do you have for keeping kids happy at family gatherings or holiday parties?  I'd love to hear about them.

Dance Party

The girls LOVE having dance parties and we turn on music and dance at least twice a day.  This week youngest arrived dancing to this song as she had been listening to it in the car on the way over.

I showed this to the girls and they found it hysterical! I dare you to not laugh while watching.

News Anchor & Taylor Swift's Shake it off!

Nanny Win, day two!

The play dough was such a hit that both older girls asked for "more play dough" as soon as they got here today.

I surprised the girls with a box of play dough toys that was given to me.  We used the sealife stamps today.  I have a feeling this is going to keep them occupied for at least an hour!

The doll is getting a "Dress" complements of the 2.5 year old.

The finished product, the doll got a hat, eye patches(?) and a bikini top(?)

Oldest keeps me laughing with her antics!

Pumpkin Spice Glitter Playdough

My moms first grade class needed some play dough for a pumpkin project they were doing this week.  I volunteered to make it for them so I could make a bit extra for us to play with.

My very favorite recipe is easy to make, and makes much less of a mess then other brands or recipes......

Add food coloring to the water, I also added about 2 Tablespoons of Pumpkin Pie Spice (mine was from Trader Joes but you can use what ever you have on hand.)
I added a couple drops of Clove essential oil for added scent, but this is optional.

We added large silver glitter to the pan today for some extra fun play dough!

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and stir over medium heat until a ball forms.  Remove from pan and allow to cool.  I usually knead it a bit, but again this is optional.

Once you have finished playing with the play dough you can store in a zip lock bag in the fridge to use again.  I find it lasts nicely for a few days.

It smells yummy!

Scared a little old lady today

I took the girls for a walk at the beach this morning.  The two year old in the stroller the 1 yr old in my Becco Gemini carrier on my back.  She LOVES being worn on my back and regularly asks to be worn even if we are just hanging out around the house.

We, umm actually I, walked three miles while the girls giggled and waved "hi" to everyone we passed. At the end of the walk I did some very modified push-ups on the railing. An older couple was walking past as I was doing my push-ups. The woman came up and scolded me saying "Thats SO dangerous!! Be careful!"

Really?  I have a one year old strapped into a carrier, I am basically upright and she isn't going anywhere.  Apparently it didn't look safe, even though I know Middle wasn't going anywhere AT ALL.

I almost always get interesting comments when out and about with the girls but this was the first time I've heard a "dangerous" comment! Haha, it takes all kinds!


Rachelle

"I am actually the nanny."   This is a sentence I utter at least once a day, and have for the last 20 years.

My charges and I like to get out and about during the day.  We go to parks, the Zoo, Legoland, Sea World, shopping, out to lunch and playdates.  I frequently wear my charges and interact with them more like a mother would then just a babysitter.  As a result I get all kinds of comments about the kiddos from people assuming I am the mother.  I joke that I need a button to wear that says "I am the Nanny." but people probably wouldn't read it anyways.

Presently I am nannying my nieces and nephew so most days I have a 2.5 year old, a 1.5 year old & a 1 year old.  My nephew who is 7 months comes a few days a month.  My days are full of laughter, changing diapers, encouraging the girls to not fight over the same toys (especially since there are multiples of most every toy!)

With three, sometimes four, kiddos under three years old, there is never a dull moment or a quiet moment around here!

Here I will share our day to day adventures and see just how often I give the answer "I am actually the nanny."