bake, craft, party, etc.: .beginning of summer party.

When planning an outdoor party, I usually have a back up plan, such as a tent, or putting everyone in the garage or house. For this years beginning of summer bash, I did not have a back up plan. I had checked the ten day forecast as soon as I was able, and it showed nothing but clear skies. Mistake number 1. I woke up yesterday morning to find a little cloud showing on my daily forecast. Problem. I just told myself all day that it would go around us, until it did not. It down poured. It rained and rained. Until it stopped, suddenly, at 5:30. My party was scheduled for 6. With my families help, some towels, and the beautiful, beautiful (albeit warm and humid) sun, my backyard was able to be transformed in to "Hawaii", without a raindrop in sight as the first guests arrived.

{Another issue was the lack of batteries for my camera. So all the picture are from my iPhone.}

The Menu:

Sweet and Sour pulled pork sandwiches (and barbecue for the guests that do not like pineapple)
Sweet and Sour Chicken Kabobs with fresh Pineapple chunks
Hot Dogs and Buns
Bacon Wrapped Pineapple
Veggie Platter
Fruit Salad and Grape kabobs
Chips, Pretzels, Munchies, and Puppy Chow
Pineapple Coconut Cupcakes

The Beverages were served in Ice Tea Jugs. There was Iced Tea, Lemonade, Water, and Hawaiian Punch, mixed with Sprite. Although everyone was mixing the iced tea and lemonade, making their own Arnold Palmers. And To drink the beverages: Hula Girl Straws.

There was a S'more's Station with:

Marshmallows: Regular, Chocolate, Strawberry, and Coconut
Chocolate Bars
Graham Crackers and Chocolate Graham Crackers
Nutella and Peanut Butter

I believe this particular S'more was a Chocolate Graham Cracker, Nutella, Peanut Butter, Chocolate bars, and a Strawberry and Coconut marshmallow. The S'mores got very creative...

For Games there was a volleyball net set up, for some beach ball volleyball competitions, and the limbo which got pretty competitive.