Megan turns Eleven- Hunger Games Style

Our Megan turned a beautiful 11 years old and we gathered around to celebrate.
Her birthday was on a Thursday this year and the schedule was full of activities so we made the decision that we would go out for her birthday dinner on Friday. Thursday morning we made pancakes and bacon before everyone headed off to school. Johanna was happy to sing Happy Birthday to Megan many times throughout the morning. Megan went off smiling into the chilly winter, ready for her day.

A winter storm was due that afternoon and rolled in right after school. All of the afterschool and evening activities were canceled. This to us was a welcome change and instead of running around and crossing paths we focused on celebrating Megan on her actual birthday. As soon as Jim came home from work we assessed the weather and decided that dinner out would be fun. Megan picked the burger and shakes restaurant "Johnny Rockets" so we put on our boots and went out all together. After our dinner we came home and gathered around as Megan opened her gifts. She is always so gracious and it is a joy to give to her.

Our Friday was now open to prepare for Megan's party. She wanted a Hunger Games Party, so we had fun searching for ideas and planning her party. She wanted to play games so we re-themed some of the best games from her Olympic party and we added a few games like the sponsor parachute drop and archery for the Hunger Games effect. We kept the prep and decoration simple and made it most about hanging out with friends. Megan wanted to watch the Hunger Games movie at bedtime with her friends, but one friend wasn't allowed to watch the movie. Megan immediately said that was ok we would just pick a different movie. But a few days before the party Savannah's parents decided that the movie would be ok. Megan was happy but really would have been fine. She really just wanted her friends to be with her.

 Megan invited 4 friends and they arrived with their sleepover gear on Saturday at 6:00. When the girls arrived  they decorated lanyards with their tribute badges and wrote their tribute names that was generated using Megan's name generator. They girls ate and then did gifts. We made sure to have cake early enough so that Johanna was awake and able to sing Happy Birthday too. The girls then went downstairs and played a series of games. Boy were they loud, but they were having a blast. They were comfortable with each other and cheered and teased as only good friends can do. After the tribute games they set up camp in the basement in front of the TV and then got ready for the movie. Megan and her friends stayed up way too late, but headed home happy Sunday morning.

Megan had fun planning and celebrating her eleventh birthday ans we were all so happy to celebrate the bright and kind girl that she is.
Happy Birthday Megan!