Camping Weekend + Max's 5th Bday Party { A.J. Jolly}

We spent our weekend camping. We asked Max where he wanted to have his birthday party a couple months ago and he really wanted to have a camping party. Since we waited til almost the end of September to reserve a camp site almost all of the camp grounds we wanted were booked. We needed it to be close for our family. I had a lot of people coming from Augusta and wanted to make it so they weren't traveling for hours! A friend suggested A.J. Jolly in Alexandria. This place is definitely a hidden gem. We were right on the water ( the kids and Nick did lots of fishing) and it was not crowded at all. There are walking trails and you can also rent canoes (which we were so busy with the party Saturday that we didn't. ).

Nick and Max set up the camper early Friday afternoon. I worked a half day and then picked up Meredith early from school. We lucked out and her class was spending the end of the day watching a movie so she didn't have to miss out on anything. We made it over around 4 and relaxed for a little while. I had a glass of wine and got to read a few pages of my book!! Friends met us at our camp site for dinner and so our kids could play.

Saturday I was up bright and early to walk Rupp and get in some steps. Ya know so I wouldn't feel to guilty about drinking and eating what ever my little heart desired. I needed wine and lots of it. I love throwing birthday parties but I am also a perfectionist and want things to be just so. The wine helps!! We were only serving birthday cookies and cake. I have learned less is so much better in helping my stress level with parties. All I needed to set up was a little dessert table. I loved how it turned out too!! I got my #5 balloon at Michael's,  cake topper and banner were from Etsy! I wish I could take credit for that. But seriously who has time with that with my crazy schedule. Sorry not happening. So much easier to just buy it already made!! I also bought the cake from Kroger. It was sooo good and looked like dirt with the cookie crumbles on it. I loved loved the cookies. I have used the same cookie lady the last couple parties. She does a fabulous job and the cookies taste yummy! If you are in need of a cookie lady message me for details!! The weather could not have been any better for us. The kids played on the playground that was right beside our camp site. After they played they fished!! I think this might have been my favorite party to date. No fuss. Hardly any cleanup. Max LOVED it. Meredith turns 10 in May and I hope she had so much fun camping for Max's that she wants to do it for hers!

 Saturday evening we made chili and took a walk to look at the horses that were in a stable right down the road from us. The owners were super nice and let the kids pet them. The kids and Nick fished some more and I was able to read a little bit of my book.

Sunday we were exhausted and slept in a little bit. Once we were up we tried to soak in the last little bit of our camping trip as we could. A little more fishing, a little more reading , and a little more relaxing. Around 11 we started cleaning up and packing up. The kids and I made it home around 12:30 while Nick returned the camper to his friend who let us borrow it. I was able to start laundry, get the kids bathed, vacuum the house, and lunch started and then prop my feet up for the rest of the evening.

The weekend was just what our souls needed! Now the countdown is on for our trip to NYC!