This year we started the celebration a day early, with a massive "Star Wars" themed birthday party.
We hosted a "Galactic Adventure" starring Master Jedi Hunter himself!
We invited 18 kids (17 boys and 1 girl- Hunter insisted on having his "favorite girl" there). Brett and I hate to leave anyone out or hurt feelings, and it looks like Hunter is turning out to be a chip off the two old blocks...
We started out with a mere13 on our guest list, but Hunter would come home from school and say something like, "Mom, so-and-so is wondering where their invitation is!" or "Don't forget so-and-so" or (my favorite plea), "Mom, it would just break my heart if this person weren't there!"
Plus, our cul-de-sac alone houses over 9 little guys, and normally my opinion is that it's a blessing to have so many friends around for our kids, so why not embrace the crazy crowd and just invite 'em all!
Anyways, upon arrival, the young Jedis enjoyed Yoda Sodas
and Light Saber Cupcakes:
Next, Grandma helped us with some Jedi Mind Training:
Followed by our Robing and Gifting Ceremony:
As to be expected, little brother Kye (aka "Yoda") was extremely helpful in this area:
Next, came the dubbing of the Light Sabers:
Thank you, Internet, for your wonderful swim-noodle-saber ideas:
My prayers were answered and the weather was great!
We could tell the kids had been itching to get outside for months- they were literally like caged animals the moment we turned them loose! Good thing we had some crazy activities planned for all their pent up energy!
Time for the Light Saber Training Course:
The Jedis had to thwart off stringy slime,
hit a ping-pong asteroid,
and go on a quest to rescue "Yoda"
by following clues and solving riddles.
They loved running around the circle and even stayed on the sidewalk for the most part!
Finally, they had to fight off the evil "Grandpa Vader"
I think grandpa quite enjoyed himself by the looks of it:
The kids went crazy for this part, showing true "crowd mentality." It was funny to watch.
Finally, it was time to "Destroy the Death Star"
Yeah, if you're thinking it looks like a home-made balloon-pinata, you're right.
I wasn't willing to spend $30 on something meant to be demolished, so we made our own.
It ended up being a long messy project, but my six-year-old LOVED it!
I threw in this pic so I could document the side-shot of my belly at 30 weeks gestation:
(As a side-note, baby boy #3 is measuring 2 weeks ahead and still looking happy and healthy)
Now for his "H" cake. I tried to make it look as galactic as possible, but all Hunter cared about was that it had his favorite color... It's too bad I didn't get a pic of the way the light saber cupcakes were set up- they looked really cool for about twenty seconds until the kids grabbed 'em.
After all was said and done, I think this smile says the party was a huge success:
On Hunter's actual birthday, he arose early so he could open his presents.
Here he is with his new robot, who he calls "my favorite buddy:"
After opening presents and going out for a birthday brunch, we went to daddy's show:
Brett felt kinda bad that he had to do two shows on Hunter's birthday, but Hunter didn't mind one bit.
We let him bring along a friend so it was quite the special ordeal!
We finally lit the candles and sang to him the day after his birthday.
(Yes, the cake had even been cut already- two little monster mouths just couldn't wait another second!)
I told Hunter he was so lucky he got to be the birthday boy for three whole days:
When the boys woke up this morning, Kye asked me if he gets be the birthday boy for a whole week when it's his birthday...
My little negotiator.
I think we'll stick with 3 days of birthday fun.
But seriously, 18 kids is the absolute limit for parties... Or maybe 20?
