After Annabel’s sleepover for her birthday last year, I figured she’d want something different for her birthday this year. Despite briefly toying with having a party at a trampoline place, she was very certain she wanted another sleepover. Yay?

Don’t get me wrong, you all know I love planning and hosting parties. But all I could think about was how tired I’d been after her last birthday sleepover. Plus, I didn’t know how I’d be able to top the activities from the previous year.

But, I think I did a pretty good job.

The Saturday before her birthday, ten of Annie’s classmates came over for an epic sleepover. They were all greeted by an insanely excited Annabel, who’d stood staring out the window for 20 minutes before the scheduled start time, “just in case someone is early.”

8th birthday sleepover

This year, I made each girl a drawstring backpack, and we filled them with some slumber party necessities.

drawstring backpack

By the way, cutting that sequin fabric? HOLY COW SUCH A MESS. Sequins everywhere.

The girls munched on pizza while they watched a movie on the big screen we rented.

8th birthday sleepover

After the movie, it was time to sing happy birthday. But instead of a cake this year, Annie requested specialty donuts from a place in town.

birthday donuts

After donuts, I brought out something I’d thought looked fun, although I wasn’t sure what the girls would think. I’d rented something called a Silent Disco. It’s a “silent” dance party. Music is broadcast via radio transmitters, and the signals are picked up by wireless headphones. I plugged the transmitters into two computers, and the girls could toggle back and forth between which songs they wanted to listen to. I wasn’t sure what the girls would think about a dance party where they have to wear headphones but…they LOVED IT. They danced for HOURS and that is no exaggeration.

And after a while…it wasn’t so silent.

But it was okay because they were having so much fun…and honestly, so were we!

We did manage to pull them away from dancing for a little while to make slime. FYI I hate making slime. This was Mike’s idea, so I let him handle it.

Untitled

EVENTUALLY they went to sleep. I’m not really sure when…I fell asleep on the couch at 2 am. When I woke up at 6 am, they were sleeping. Oh, and they woke up for breakfast at 6:30. I don’t know how children can function like that!

Mike set up a really amazing french toast bar this year. He whipped up his specialty french toast, and the girls got to put whatever toppings they wanted on top. We had syrup, powdered sugar, whipped cream, sprinkles, marshmallow fluff, Nutella, and so on. They were a big hit.

french toast for breakfast

But, all good things must come to an end, and at 10 am the parents arrived. Several of them texted me later in the day to say their daughters took nice, long naps. Lucky for them – Annabel didn’t seem to be tired at ALL.

Mike and I, on the other hand, still feel like we’re sleepwalking. But it was worth it.