I’ve been talking so much about the Staycation event that I forgot to share some stuff about Colton’s birthday party, the reason for the event! Originally I thought about doing a Mexican Fiesta theme but changed to a pool theme and Colton agreed. I had to promise him a piñata though, LOL. So I guess I am looking for a beach ball shaped piñata!

Ok this summer I am getting a pool. Nothing fancy just an above ground one. I really want to get the salt water filter system so that we don’t have to use chlorine with Aiden being there and rubbing his eyes and all that. Ok so here is the pool I am looking into getting and the pump: (not saying the names of the pool & filter but you can get it at wal-mart. I tried to get a review but the company isn’t receptive to bloggers so they aren’t getting any linky love from me)

Now according to the videos, that filter is supposed to be able to take table salt (in bulk) and use it to chlorinate the water to kill the bacterias and stuff. Its an extra 140 bucks added to the pool which at this moment is $250. I don’t know that I will be getting the filter this year but hopefully next year at least! The pool is 15X48 and we have to find the perfect place for it. We have very tall trees so the yard is a little limited on sunlight. We also have to deal with getting the bees and hornets under control too because we don’t want to be swimming next to a hive!

Ok so for decorations I think I will be hitting up Oriental Trading for these beach ball invitations and then the plates and things in this set:

look I found the beach ball Piñata!

Food: Cookout on the grill, burgers, dogs, pasta salad etc.

Cake: Thanks to the support of Wilton I am going to attempt to make this! (They are sponsoring a giveaway for the event!)

Activities will be swimming of course but we are hoping to have another water activity, possibly a water slide or a slip and slide. We will have the tent pitched and we’ve decided that if Colton wants to we can have his friends sleep in the tent after his party. We hope to get some more camp gear before then, we need weenie roasting and smores sticks after all! I think my whole goal with this party is to make it count, because its probably the last time he will let me throw a party until he turns 18. I want him and his friends (and siblings) to have so much water fun that they pass out and sleep a ton!

One thing I can’t think of is WHAT TO GET HIM AS A GIFT? I mean what do most 12 year old get besides a cell phone?