love of local in Utah
Cameron is *7* Native American Party
Cameron, Cameron, Cameron has the most fantastic mind. I want to be in her brain for a full day and just be able to see how she can see things and all her little ideas. She decodes dreams for people, has a manual for it, and a notebook she writes them down in. She taught herself through library books how to read palms. She is the one you go to for calming, she can read feelings well. But then she also loves to make people laugh. Right now she is trying to figure out her sense of humor I think. In a few of her classes her attempts at humor have not been….appreciated. So she is just learning how to handle herself. But humor her and when you see her laugh at her jokes. She needs it! Right now she adores her dance team and hates her dance technique class. All of her free time is spent begging to play Animal Jam. She is a big reader and I am amazed at how many chapter books she can get through a week. Usually she falls asleep when I go to bed, so she sits in her bed for a good 2-3 hours just reading. In the morning she will show me what books she started and finished. Friends are starting to become more important to her and she gets along with Abby (or I should flip that wording) much better this year. For Christmas she has asked for the same things a couple years in a row and Santa has ignored her request. But I think this year she will finally get her cotton candy maker. Cameron makes life diverse and fun, watching her grow is going to be so interesting. I have no prediction on what she will be or where her life will take her. But I do know if she decides to have children, or as an aunt, she will be the one they go to for comfort.
Her birthday day was actually a bit boring! She had breakfast in bed, which was a tradition SHE asked to start last year. Later on that night she went to the movies with Tyler. Her birthday party was late afternoon so I think it was a pretty lazy day in between. I let the girls open their four presents from us (something read, wear, play with, and something pretty) first thing in the morning. Making them wait is just mean!
At the Natural History Museum her and Abby both have attended the Native American Culture summer camp. I finally took them to a real Native American restaurant in Provo to have some delicious food. For her 7th birthday Cameron wanted a Native American party! But I wanted to do it the right way, not with clichéd inaccurate things. So it took work on my part to be inventive! I bought nicer posters and dreamcatchers because when we get into a home with love, I want her room to be decorated in them.
INVITES
DECOR
I bought prints from the artist Maxine Noel, bought a dreamcatcher off of Etsy, and set the table with things from around the house. I dried that burlap in my dryer thinking I would get the wrinkles out, not so, and my clothes were all covered in burlap pieces. I also (don’t judge me) gold dipped and sprinkled feathers to hang. This teepee is from The Land of Nod clearance section that we will use in the playroom now.
FOOD
I had cactus candy for them to try, pear cactus lemonade, and Navajo tacos. I am sure none of this food was authentic. Of course we had a gorgeous cake to eat as well.
CRAFTS
The first craft I did was to make a dream catcher, star style. They are easier to do just as a five point star. I bought embroidery hopes and painted them gold ahead of time. I also tied the string to make the start at the top ahead of time. Also the two strings on the bottom, I had those pre done.
The second craft I did was I got some empty CD cases, a bottle of glue, and a bunch of dried beans. The girls put down the layer of glue and made a pattern out of the dried beans.
The third craft I did was to make a paper teepee, not much explanation for that one.
GAMES
We did our basket tossing game, we did a news spot where we demonstrated how to play this. The more detailed post is here. The kids always love this one you guys! Make it for them for Christmas!
The second game we did was an almond and bead game. You sit in a big circle, flip all the almonds to the UN marked X side, and have them take a turn flipping the nuts in the bowl once. However number they get they take that many of the beads. When everyone has had a turn in the circle you let the people who had 4 or more play. Then just let the circle get smaller and smaller till there is a winner.
PARTY FAVOR
Well they took all their crafts home. When they walked in they had feather strings tied to their hair. Also they had a pretty ribbon tied around their head as well. The only extra party favor they got was a dream catcher necklace.
I also throughout the party told them what feathers meant to this culture, what dreamcatchers meant, little facts and tidbits here or there. We also talked a lot about storytelling and I read them this book:
Cameron had such a wonderful time with her 2 cousins, 2 sisters, and 9 little friends. She tried to make them laugh the whole time, even when blowing out her cake and loved the attention.
Tags: native american party
So cool on year can you plan my bday maybe 40th bday!
Okay, that is a really cool, personalized party. Very nicely done!
How much fun to have a birthday in your house. I can’t wait to see what’s next.