A Pioneer Party

For the last few months of school, Beatrice's class was learning about Pioneers. They capped off their study with a really fun trip to Old Town Sacramento, where they (and all of us parent volunteers) came in period costume and enjoyed a day of fun and learning. So it was no surprise when Bea requested a "pioneer party" for her birthday. I have to admit, I was excited. I always wanted to be Laura Ingalls!

When the girls arrived, they were greeted by a costumed Natalie playing a jig on her fiddle in the front yard. (never mind that her costume was colonial ... sometimes ya gotta make due with what you have!) We played pioneer games in the yard as we waited for everyone to arrive. Once we had everyone, we went inside and the girls each picked out a bonnet. This also served as a "take home" item instead of a goody bag.

After the girls picked out their bonnets, they came into the kitchen where I taught them to make butter. We took our little mason jars full of cream and sat outside, shaking the jars to turn the contents to butter as I read from Little House in the Big Woods.

Making butter is serious business!

When the heat started getting to everyone, we headed inside and continued to shake the jars while dancing to fiddle music. The girls were so excited to see the cream turn into butter! We labeled the jars with their initials and put the jars in the fridge. They took those home as well. 

Then it was dinner time!

We allowed ourselves a few "non-pioneer" items, like disposable plates :)

We had baked beans, fried cornbread (or "okie cookies," as Jay's family calls them), watermelon, and homemade lemonade. Yummy! 

The girls played outside while everyone finished eating and while Jay and I set up for the next activity. This picture of the girls is one of my favorites from the party. Bea is simply enthralled with whatever story her friend is sharing!

Up next - bobbing for apples! I had no idea what a hit this activity would be. The girls absolutely loved it. In fact, they loved it so much that we played it over and over again, and abandoned our other planned activity (making corn husk dolls). 

We ended the party with cake and presents. Once again, Jay came through with the cake. I had found a small covered wagon kit at Deseret Book, so Jay put that together and used it as a cake topper, along with some horse figurines we found in the Walmart toy section. I absolutely adored the way the cake turned out, and so did Bea. 

Yes, that is Flynn Ryder driving the team

The party was great fun, and my only regret is that we didn't allow ourselves enough time to fit in all the activities! Bea enjoyed it very much, and I think her friends did as well. Happy 9th birthday, Beatrice! You are an amazing girl and we love you!

 The End!