Aidan's 5th Birthday

We had Aidan's birthday party the Saturday before his birthday this year.  He was excited because a few of his friends from school were coming.  We really tried to go all out on this party just to make it really special for him.  Can't believe he is 5 years old!

 

Rick usually gives him his first present...hot wheels!  He has quite the collection of these things, but still loves to get new ones.

 

 We searched the internet for Star Wars party ideas and were able to borrow a few.  We made place cards for all the food and named everything with a "star wars name".  The cake wasn't my best, but Aidan really liked it.  There was actually a lengthy discussion on how to do the cake, when to do it, etc.  Let's just say I learned to listen to the 5 year old.  He said he wanted cupcakes for his party and then his cake for his real birthday.  He said his friends were all going to want cupcakes.  Really?  Yep!  Not a single kid asked for cake, they all wanted cupcakes.  Glad nana made and brought those!

 We covered the pass through window with this black tablecloth and then painted stars on it.  Printed off some of the Star Wars ships and taped them to it as well.  Made the Darth Vader from cardboard boxes, trash bags and duck tape.

 We made the light sabers from pool noodles, and then made little jedi robes for everyone.  Bought cord for the belts.  Printed off Star Wars stickers for the favor bags that had tootsie rolls, glow sticks, stickers and tatoos, and ewok food inside.

 Aidan enjoyed playing with his friends on his playground.

 Time for the jedi training course.  It turned out much smaller than I envisioned but I think they still enjoyed it.  They had to run through cones, climb the ladder and come down the slide, throw water balloons into a bucket (their favorite), keep balloons off the ground with their light sabers, and then crawl through a tunnel without losing their light sabers.

 They loved the water balloons.  They were just like a magnet.  It drew everyone in immediately.

 I think they would have stayed out with the water balloons all day if they could have!

 After the training course, they had to defeat the storm trooper (bean bag toss).

Padawan Pizza and Naboo nuggets for supper

 Singing happy birthday.  He doesn't like being the center of attention!

 Most excited about the figures off his cake

 Trying to defeat the Death Star.  Andy modified a soccer ball pinata and turned it into a super-hard death star.  So hard, that the kids could not break it!  Andy gave it a try

and then eventually decided to rip it open!  Love Aidan's expression on this one!

 Time for presents

 He had a great time and it was a special day!

This was the morning of his actual birthday.  We usually let him open one present when he first wakes up.

 He went to Nana's like normal, and then we got off work a little earlier so we could take him to the lego store and Kanki for supper.  That is his favorite place to eat!

 He kept making this cute face, closing one eye, and pointing his thumb asking "Is that the guy who's gonna cook?"

 He was clearly happy when he sees the guy who is gonna cook!

 Loves the soup

 Our "cook" was wonderful!  He formed the rice into the shape of a heart and then put a number 5 on it since it was Aidan's 5th birthday.  Definitely made it special for him.

 Back to the conversation about what to do about cake........he "had" to have a cake on his actual birthday, so I was scrambling at the last minute to find one.  I haven't bought a store-bought birthday cake in I don't know when, so I was shocked at the lack of selection and corresponding price!  Only 24 hours, don't have a choice!  It actually turned out a lot better than I expected, and Aidan loved it.  All that matters!  :)

 We focused on outdoor sports when picking out his presents, so he got things like a basketball goal, soccer ball and net, t-ball set, etc.  Something to keep him active!