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Monday, May 12, 2014

Angry Birds Star Wars Party

Hunter's fifth birthday approached and I realized, he's never had an actual invite-all-his-buddies-over-birthday party.  So. . . since turning five is kind of a big deal, in my book, I decided to throw him his first birthday party.  When I asked what kind of party he wanted Hunter told me, "An Angry Birds Star Wars Party."  With the theme picked, we worked on his invites:


Once the date, time, theme, and birthday invites were all passed out we got to planning.  We picked out games to play, decor, food, and before we knew it, P-day had arrived.  

Pictures below.

The night before the party, we had all of our balloons blown up.  Hunter was beyond excited when I walked in with them.  After the party was over, Tralee and Hunter couldn't wait to let the balloons go into the sky.



Before the festivities began, Hunter dressed up in his Angry Birds "Five" party shirt I made.  I might have forced him to wear it!  


Jim was in charge of the Angry Birds launcher.  I think it was the highlight of the party.  We used a water balloon launcher for the sling, and Jim built the rest of the launcher out of 2x4s.


I have the many many many ideas I found on Pinterest to thank for the food table.  I made all the labels and games, but most of the ideas came from some other genius.  





I made all the drink labels while watching The Mindy Project on Hulu.  I think they turned out cute!  Hunter liked helping me rip off the old labels and tape on the new ones!

Hunter loved the "Bird Beaks" aka Bugles

We made and found a handful of party games for all the kiddos to play at the party.  All of them Angry Birds or Star Wars themed.


Jim is pictured below, getting ready to launch!



Tralee was just as excited as Hunter for the party to begin!!  She had a blast.


 What's a party without a bouncy house?  Granted, our bouncy house is more for toddler-aged kids, but everyone still had fun.


The kids all loved the launcher.  Some of them liked to actually launch the Angry Bird balls into it, while others loved to just knock down all the boxes after a bird was launched into it, and then build them back up. 


Right around noon, the rain hit.  We moved everyone, and the picnic table inside (the food table was under the covered part of our front door, so it was okay), and ate lunch.  By the time lunch and present opening was over, the rain had passed, and we went back outside.  

Boys enjoying lunch

Some of Hunter's buds.  More of his dudes were sitting over at the regular table.
I loved watching Hunter interact with all of his friends, especially when they were wearing their Star Wars Masks.

I asked some of Hunter's friend's older sisters to come help out at the party.  I'm SO glad they said, "yes!"  They were a big help keeping the 13 five-and-under-year-olds wrangled and happy.

Jim and one of our helpers
 The other highlight of the party were the light sabers I made out of dollar store pool noodles.  I cut the pool noodles in half with Jim's chop saw, tapped some duck tape, and electric tape to the bottom, and we had some light sabers.  The kids all loved them, and I, once again, have the geniuses who posted this idea onto Pinterest to thank!


I was SOOOOO glad Jim helped out at this party.  There's just something about a fun dad that makes every party 1000% more happy.  At one point, all the kiddos decided that Jim was the bad guy, and they attacked him with their light sabers.  Jim played right along with it, and I watched as 10-or-so light sabers beat him to death.  


See what I mean?  Jim is father of the year in my book!


Tralee showing me her mad light saber skills in her Star Wars mask.


Hunter told me that his favorite part of the party was opening presents.  It was such a crazy moment, that I don't even know who gave him what.  I just had to thank all the parents in a very generic way for the "gift" their child gave Hunter.  However, my MOST FAVORITE things Hunter received were hand drawn cards and picture from his friends.  I LOVE all the thought and care these little boys and girls put into gift giving. 


Once the rain cleared, and all the presents were opened, we went back outside to smash the piñata into smithereens!  Hunter went first and last.  At first all the kids used the plastic bat.  Once everyone had a turn, we let Hunter go one more time and Jim gave him a wooden bat.  The wooded bat did the trick, and every one filled their treat bags to the max!


Waiting in line to smash the piñata!  I love all the masks and light sabers!


My parent's gave Hunter this tee-pee tent for his birthday.  The kids all had fun climbing in and out, and playing in it throughout the party.  Once all the guests left, Tralee and Hunter hung out inside the teepee for at least an hour while Jim and I cleaned up the aftermath.


Overall, Hunter's fifth birthday party was a success!  Fun was had by all, and I think we can chalk it up as a happy memory made!

For the printables I made -- Food labels, points & TNT signs for boxes, smaller TNT signs to decorate with, and the "5" Angry birds shirt label (reverse the image and print onto image transfer paper to put on a t- shirt) click on the image below.  It will take you to my Box account where you can download the images.  The Large TNT and points printables are sized to 11x14.  I printed two of each at Costco for the boxes.  Everything else is sized to print as an 8x10. 
  

If you want the invite, water bottle wrappers, cupcake labels, or any other custom party decor made, visit my Etsy Shop here, and send me a convo.  I'll get a custom order up and ready for you!

Enjoy!

Sunday, May 11, 2014

Hunter's Birthday


My baby boy turned five.  I have mixed emotions on the topic.  First of all, to me, five seems like such a giant leap from four.   At five you start school, start loosing teeth, and hold onto mommy's hand a little less as you take giant leaps into an independent life.  Sigh.  On the other hand, I marvel as I watch my baby boy mature, learn, and tell witty jokes that give me the giggles.  I'm so happy I'm his mommy, and even though he needs me a little less, he still needs me.  I hope he always will.

Hunter's fifth birthday fell on a Thursday.  He proudly picked out and brought his preschool classmates a treat, wore a "Birthday Boy" pin home from preschool, opened his gifts from his family, and picked out a place to go eat dinner and play games with us.  The place of choice?  Big Al's.  We ate dinner, and then played and played and played.  We collected a ton of tickets, picked out some prizes, and even won a free VIP game of bowling.

Once Big Al's was done, we came home, watched Hunter make a wish, and blow out the candles on his fancy Cold Stone birthday cake. 

Opening presents

So excited!

At dinner

Birthday Sundae

We're basically models. . . 

Singing "Happy Birthday"

Making a wish. . . is this not the cutest?

My baby boy had a grand birthday, and it was just getting started.

Birthday party post soon to come.

Playdate with Jacobs Cousins

Last weekend we got together with the other Jacobs family that also dwell in Boise.  We dined, we played, we chatted, we had a grand ol' time!



I hope to do it again soon!!

Zoo Day

Two weeks ago Hunter's preschool had its spring field trip to the zoo.  After the zoo day, Hunter and I walked over to the Boise Art Museum to visit with some of my old colleagues, and check out some art.  Pictures below.

Madi, Hunter, and Charlie (I think)

My little groundhog

Hunter and Rhett checking out a tiger

Preschool buds riding at dragon

Preschool pals in a birds nest.  Not one of them actually looking at the camera

What's a trip to the zoo without a ride on the carousel.  I'm so happy Hunter's old enough I don't have to ride this with him anymore!  I get so dizzy on it!  (I'm getting old.)

Another group shot

Mother-son selfie

Hunter wanted to sit on the sculpture outside the museum SO bad. . . so we did.

We took another selfie

Hunter's favorite part of the museum was the art experience room.   He likes to touch stuff.