Ringing in the New Year--at 8

We continued our now 3-year-old tradition of a New Year's countdown with minute to win it games.  Only this year, instead of ditching the kids with a sitter, we stayed and played with them.  And it was really fun.  I must admit though that the super mom in me was a little disappointed that I had to use my birthday banner to decorate.  New Year's Resolution: make New Year's Eve specific banners and decorations--to ease the transition from lots of holiday decorations to none.  

I tried out the New Year's Eve tree I saw on Pinterest...not my favorite to be honest.  I'm not sure I'll do that again.

I missed the first few games because I was picking up some of the Young Women, who were attending a party at the neighbor's behind us.

Sock head.

 Hannah got all wasted on...water.  Because we ate lunch at like 3, we didn't bother with dinner.

 Balloon volleyball.

 The cottonball game, of course.  Can't be a Robins party without the cotton ball game.

 Alice insisted on putting the vasaline on everyone's nose.

 Then we made party hats and took pictures with out most excited faces on.

Then we played Stack Attack.  Grandma played along and let Rex win.  

 Donuts on a string.

 Alice skipped the whole "no-hands rule."

 Then around 8:30 we made our way outside with pots and pans and any other noise maker we could find, counted down from ten and rang in the New Year.  Even the Wheatley's heard us.  I was surprised to learn through Instagram that many people allow their young children to say up until midnight.  Why would you do that?  8:30 is good for me.

We then came inside for a toast with the (non-alcoholic) bubbly in Dollar Tree plastic flutes and sent the kids to bed.  Rex did ask about staying up until midnight and I said that's not for five-year-olds.  Then I wished him a good night and said, "I'll see you next year."  He thought that was pretty clever and laughed himself to sleep.

 Then the adults played cards until midnight, when Greg and I took the Young Women home.  We were in bed by 2 am.  Would've been earlier, but those dang youth and their partying.

We didn't keep score but Grandma Pattie was president most of the game.  Well done woman who let Rex win at stack attack.