When Audrey started talking about her birthday party way back in March of this year, Truman started talking about his. We've kind of managed to skate by without giving Truman a big party so far, but I knew that would have to end this year. He was so excited about it and told me all year about what he would have for
his birthday party. For awhile it was going to be a "jean" (green) party. Then he wanted
Cars, guys (action figures), and
Jake. It changed just about every day but the thing that remained constant was that he was going to have a party and invite all of his friends.
In September and October Truman finally settled on a
Jake party and I started thinking, but not really planning. By the time October rolls around I'm tired. There are so many things to do with Halloween--events and parties and planning. Also, Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner and so they occupy a large part of my free mental space. Add to it a new kindergartener with homework and a new baby and I'm pretty beat by mid-October. But I couldn't disappoint my cute boy so I summoned up all the mental and physical fortitude I could and planned him a party.
Saturday, November 10, was the big day. We started with breakfast at home.
We had doughnuts leftover from Truman's preschool party.
I got no complaints from my kids.
After breakfast we packed up the car and headed to the children's museum. I decided that if we were going to have a party with more than two kids we needed to have it somewhere other than our house. I settled on the children's museum because we happen to have a membership this year and it wasn't too expensive. Truman got to invite 15 friends with parents and all we had to do was set up and clean up the room after the party. I didn't have to plan any games or clean my house the day before or anything. It was awesome. Most of his friends were able to come and I think they all had a great time. I know Truman really loved it.
We had the party in the morning because Audrey had a soccer game and final party later that day. We arrived half an hour before the museum opened and had to wait a bit for the employee to arrive and open the doors for us. She was a little late. While we waited the kids found out what it was like to be a flower and octopus.
Truman's invitation.
I kept things really simple. I was tired, remember. Luckily Truman is easy to please. I had someone on Etsy make up this Happy Birthday banner and then I strung it with some twine.
They had one big table for all the kids so we set it with Jake plates and napkins. For the centerpiece I used the cupcakes and an assortment of tropical fruit and gold coins. I figured the kids could eat the oranges and chocolate during the party.
I'll be honest, I don't particularly care for how the cupcakes turned out. They looked different in my head. I got the little printable from Etsy and just trimmed them and put them on toothpicks. The cupcakes were supposed to have blue frosting (like water) and Nilla Wafer crumbs (like sand) and then treasure on top. They look too busy and I made the mistake of frosting them the night before and then putting the toppers on the morning of, so the frosting had already crusted over and ended up cracking. Oh well. They tasted good and the kids loved the extra candy. Truman liked them so that's really all that mattered.
In theory it was a good idea.
I just don't care for the final result.
It was early enough in the day that we didn't need to feed the kids so we just had the fruit, cupcakes, and drinks.
I made up these pirate booty bags for the party favors. I forgot to take pictures of the contents of the bags though! Inside each child got a box of crayons, several Jake coloring sheets, a package of rainbow Goldfish crackers, Rolos, and Hershey's Nuggets. I think that's everything. I'm having a hard time remembering now!
The gift table.
The museum has a giant Light Bright type toy that is pretty cool. One of the dad's spelled Truman's name in lights!
The kids arrived and went to play. They played and played and had a great time. It really is a fun little museum. My kids love it and I love that I can sit and watch them without having to chase them around and worry about losing them.
Audrey, Truman, and Scarlett.
Cute Dallin. I was so glad he could come. We don't get to see this boy as often as I would like and I want him to be friends with Truman.
Max and some random boy.
We had a pretty good mix of moms and dads who came with their kids. Here Dorothy and Tessa catch up. We all had babies within a two month time-period.
Matt holding Genevieve and Ryan.
This dinosaur is pretty cool because you can control its movement. Max and Roman checked it out.
Roman played here for quite awhile.
Audrey working on her teeth brushing skills.
Dallin and Roman digging in the construction pit.
More pictures of all that happened after playtime to come!
