Hawaiian Luau...in our own backyard

One of our family's favorite vacation memories is a Luau we enjoyed in Maui. It was a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience for our kids and one that made an impression on my daughter.

A party planner at heart, I was not surprised when she asked if she could host a Luau as her summer party (yes, her annual parties have now become bi-annual endeavors). She loved Hawaii and wanted to put her own twist on a backyard Luau (one that she didn't need to fly 4,500 miles to get to).

With a few years of party planning under her belt, her planning skills have become more honed and the Luau was put together with ease. Her creative touches were everywhere...

From the photo op beach scene that she greeted her guests at with grass skirts and leis....



To the hand-crafted decor and Hawaiian-themed food (including key lime and coconut cupcakes that were served at a tiki hut she created for her American Girl doll Kanani...all from a box, tissue paper, pencils and duct tape)

I marveled at the experience she had created for her friends and relished in the happiness it brought to her face...and my heart.