How to tame 8 kids under 6 years old

We had our quarterly playdate with Mandi and Marisa and their kids.  Eight kids in total, no big deal (I joke).  It was a total success, lots of fun and a very limited amount of tears and ouchies.  How'd we do it?  Check us out:

Step 1: Split up into groups

Making cereal necklaces

Step 2: Have snacks on hand

Tyler and Soren at the snack table...They didn't want to make necklaces

Step 3: Let the kids help with lunch

Making individual pizzas

Step 4: Lots and lots of crafts

Chalk art; Not pictured: balloon "ping pong"

Edible finger paint (vanilla pudding and kool aid)

Alizea and Genevieve

Now THAT'S why we chose "edible"

Step 5: A little sugar

Frosting and sprinkling sugar cookies

Step 6: Don't forget about the babies

All they needed was sleep and their mommy's milk

Step 7: Encourage free play and exercise

Lots and lots of energy burning

Step 8: Patience

Don't expect a group pic

Step 9: The Reward

Eating the fruit of their labor...sugar cookies

See?  That's all it takes and you've got a fun day with friends!  Thank you Mandi, Anayah, Samara, Marisa, Alizea, Genevieve, Soren and Amelie for making our day!!

For more "professional quality" photos, go to Mandi's blog post about our playdate.  She managed to get a decent group shot.  Here it is: