Summer Break Celebration at Our House

Have you ever had a few extra monkeys in your closet? At our house last Thursday, there were twenty-six monkeys all over the house! We had invited Isaac's and Rachel's friends for a day of fun in the sun (in the yard) the day school let out for the summer: June 2, 2011. The 10-day forecast said highs in the 80's, so we had planned a water day. However, that day turned out to be chilly and windy. The high was 58 degrees and it rained that morning! We were lucky to have the sun out during the party, but there was NO WAY I could be convinced that adding water was a good idea (despite several kids desperate and persistent pleading.) So, instead of water play, we improvised...

We allowed some indoor play (with limits), played in the sandbox, made some homemade rootbeer, drank it--outside, and we tried out the inflatable waterslide as a "bounce house."

We had to take turns on the bounce-house because there were too many kids trying to get on at once.
Girls and younger boys went first, then the older boys had a turn. They each had three turns before a hole was ripped and we had to retire it--until I can make some repairs.

As you can see, we had a great time!

Even the most bashful girls enjoyed each others' company. :)
I think all the friends went home happy.

And in the end, we only had our five little monkeys left.
And we all slept well that night! :)