the Birthday Party

I just survived hostessing my first kids' birthday party.  And you could tell I was a novice on the scene. More experienced mothers saw the 5:00 to 7:30 on my invite and shook their heads in disbelief..dismay.  All of the above.

What I didn't realize:  each game you think will take 10 minutes actually ends in 1.5.  Or less.  Long-time mothers know this.  I didn't.

How I was saved:  Jim & Cyn.  I know the theme is redundant...how many times has this duo run to my rescue when I've plunged into self-created chaos.  First, they both slaved last minute for me when time ran out.  Cyn hemmed (and she hates sewing).  Jim vacumned (ditto on the despising).  And all because I got caught up in cakeland for longer than expected. 

But, back to the rescuing...the hit of the party (and the 40 minute wonder!) was the light saber training (light sabers made from pool noodles).  Jim taught them how to block, attack and parry.  Then they each took a turn facing the Jedi Master.  Any hit body part could not be used, so many of the attacks ended on knees or with one arm behind the back.  After the awarding of Jedi Badges, they took turns challenging each other.  

Kay sat next to me during the battles.  I was entranced by all of the unique personalities that emerged through the kids' swordplay.  And their delight did me in.  My two little men in particular.  Kay turned to me and said, "he's having so much fun..look at his face."  It took me a moment to realize it wasn't any of the littles she was referring to...it was her own not-so-little boy.  My Jim.  Who used to be her Jim.  Who always will own a sizeable chunk of her heart.  She was delighted by her boy as I was by mine.  I reverenced that "circle of life" moment.  I'm sure I'll be watching my own little men with their own in no time. 

But I'll save my Aidan-is-growing-up gushing for tomorrow (his actual birthday).  Here are a few party & cake pics that I promised Megan:

Kids in Jedi robe (thanks to Cyn's fancy hemming!)

sitting, watching - mesmerized - the "jedi masters" instruct. 

I love this goonily satisfied smirk on the birthday boy's face.

Aidan "reading" Abby's card.  I love, loved all of the child-written cards & "I drew you a picture, too"'s of Aidan's gift receiving.  Such sweet, sweet littles.   

I wish D's eyes were opened on this one, but I had to capture the moment anyhow.  He's biking around the path, clinging strongly to his *treasures* - one half of a blue pool noodle & a note from Sav & London.  He was so happy they gave him something during present time, too. 

Ms. London was quite the tenacious/barbaric little Jedi. 

attacking Cyn 

one of the gentler, "legless" fights

R2D2 cake:

 

Comments

[Susan]

You have wonderful ideas and the kids definately look like they had a blast. It really is the best to watch the dad play with the kids and truly be enjoying himself.

[kim sue]

LOVE the picture where your sweet one is looking at you out of the corner of his eye...precious. The cake, of course, ROCKS!

[Lindsay]

I am actually crazy enough to love doing birthday parties for my kids. We've had some good ones over the years. I also love making the cakes and someday hope to actually take a class so I have a little more finesse. Your cake is AMAZING!

[Tiffany]

What a major event! Happy Birthday to your Aidan. I loved all of this--the pictures, the thoughts. It all built up to the amazing cake. No wonder you needed a little backup help! Congratulations all around on the wonderful ideas!

[Kristi Lane]

Looks like so much fun! I love doing parties for my kids, but it is a ton of work, but worth it! I love the cake it's amazing!!

[rachel]

When I saw that this was a birthday post, I couldn't wait to see what the cake looked like. I refrained from skipping ahead and scrolling down. I was not disappointed at all. That cake is great!! So clever.

And clever is a perfect way to describe the birthday party. What fun. I am sure Aiden was on top of the world. And that picture with D holding the card meant for him too, is classic.

[Jill]

You are truly the cake master!! I have no idea how to go about making an R2D2 cake!

I love the Jedi training aspect of this party and love Aiden's happy face. Kay's perspective on Jim at the party is priceless.

[Amberly]

holy smokes, that cake is amazing!! it looks like a fabulous party.. happy birthday A!

[Rachel J.]

WOW! One word, amazing. Happy Birthday Aidan!

[Sheri]

That looks like a fun birthday. Who would have guessed our kids would Star Wars as much as we did! Wyatt is obsessed with it. Great job on the cake as usual!

[April]

Those light sabers are a stroke of genius! And Jedi training...by boys would be in heaven!!

I gasped outloud at the 2.5 hour party...and I absolutely insist on reinforcements. So glad your faithful duo came to your aid.

The cake is a wonder.

Oh, and just loved the circle of life thoughts you shared. A very good thing for me to remember this week, especially.

[Mandi]

That was sweet about the circle of life. I guess it's true that your feelings don't change even though they grow up. The party was awesome! The girls spent most of the day showing me their Jedi moves, in fact, they were already in costume when I got up this morning and last night London said in her prayer "please bless that we can show mom our Jedi moves tomorrow."

[Paula]

It looks like you did awesome. All those smiles on the kids faces says it all. Boy parties are so much fun. It was great seeing the girls getting into it also. AWESOME cake. Will you give me lessons?
Paula

[Melissa M]

I am so bummed that Sam missed all of that fun...could you do it all again?
Love your R2D2 cake!

[jenny c.]

What a fun idea to use the noodles for light sabers. And that expression on his cute face is priceless. Happy yet a mischievous look. Once again I am in awe over that cake. How do you do it? Step aside Duff on Ace of Cakes!

[Tonya Whiting]

Amy,
I love the cake. I looks like the party was a major hit!!

[lelly]

most amazing! i love all of the little jedis (having raised a jedi of my own, of course!).

i am speechless about the cake. speechless! and totally glad that my jedi was not looking over my shoulder while i was looking at it. how could i ever recreate R2 to his satisfaction?!?

we've had 7 birthdays now. you learn a little bit every time :)

[Annalisa]

I love Aidan's sideways smirk. What a great idea for a birthday! The kids must have had fun being Jedis. I'm in the birthday planning mode. How am I ever going to figure out how to make a Littlest Pet Shop cake when I don't know a thing about cake decorating?

[Michelle M.]

The party looks like it was such a fun time! I still am amazed at your talent! That cake would be every little boys dream!

[Meghan]

Thanks for throwing Bret's dream birthday party. I think I checked the time on the invitation 20 times to make sure it was really 2 1/2 hours long. Great job!

[Tammy]

Looks like the party was a big success from the kids faces. I did the 2 1/2 hour party ONCE myself. The cake is truly amazing, true to your talents.

[Shanon]

Holy cake!! Abby came home and could not stop smiling and talking about how fun it was. My favorite was her telling me about Master Jim. It was hilarious! She LOVED it!! Thanks for the 2 1/2 hour party! I loved it too!

[Barb]

I could never duplicate the cake, but those pool noodle (electrical tape?) light sabers make me wish I had another little boy. Brilliant.
Your m-i-l saying 'look at his face' and that she was referring to her grown up son, not a little, knocked the breath out of me a little. I don't like to think of my boy all grown up.

[Hilary]

your cake is INCREDIBLE. Wow! Your talent is jaw dropping!

What an adorable party! And, don't worry-- all moms are very overwhelmed at birthday parties!

[Katie]

This is too wonderful! My husband is a Star Wars fanatic!! I must keep this party a secret from him, or he will insist on me throwing him one. The R2D2 cake is unbelievable. (again, note to self: don't show Mike because I can't duplicate!) Looks like D is using the Force to bike around the path.

[Marie]

All hail Amy, the Great and Powerful! That was amazing. The pool-noodles were brilliant. My kids haven't seen star wars, but they would totally jump on board with that game!

When I saw this was going to be a birthday post, I got all excited to see what you would do for a cake, and I was not disappointed! It is amazing. Shockingly so.

Congrats on a job well done!

[mandy]

Your cake is magnificent, as usual!

I love Aidan's birthday smirk and Davyn's picture on his bike.

[Kelly]

Another cake masterpiece! Really amazing. My mom made a caterpillar cake for a "flower/bug" party she put on for the granddaughters, and she made me promise not to put it on my blog because she didn't want you to see it. :) It's so funny, and it's SO going on the blog.

The party was astounding, and I'm stunned looking at all of those little kids light sabering in your house! I loved the picture of Aidan sneaking a peek over at you, and the one of Davyn riding the trike. And your retelling of Kay's Jim moment had me a little heart crushed, too.

[Wendy]

Sounds like you did a wonderful job! I, too, have loved hosting parties for my son's birthdays. What a fabulous cake!

[Nina]

Amy the cake was truly amazing... I just marvel at the talent you truly have.....Happy Birthday Aidan.

[carlo]

wow, you are a trooper. yay for saving the party with lightsaber training.

LOVE the cake. really, really cute. did you make it?

[Nicole Patino]

Hey, I found your blog through Sheri's. You have such awesome cakes...wow I am totally inspired! Love Love love the new cut totally cute! I am glad all is great where you are at! I have some recipes I'll share sometime!

[Nicole Patino]

Did this come up? Anyhow check it out!

[sista #2]

What a fun day! I love the pool noodles -how clever;)
The photo of costume, closed eyes, light saber & note
is so precious! & what a cake!!! wow :)

[Lucy]

Amy, my boys are such star wars fanatics, that I may just copy this entire party idea come January. Of course, there is no chance of me replicating that cake, but swim noodles, and jedi training...I can do that. And I can do it all in about an hour! Too funny about the long party. You are right about that!

[michelle]

Jedi training -- truly brilliant. And the cake... I don't have words for it! I'm astounded.