The Larrivieres: January 2011

We had a hard time coming up with Jackson' birthday party theme this year. He is really into Star Wars, but I couldn't come up with many Star Wars activities that sounded like a good idea to have at a birthday party -- light saber fights anyone?? So, after much talk, we finally decided upon a camping theme. This year, I also let Jackson invite his entire class to his party (only 16 kids) since they come to the library, I know all of the kids too! I knew it was going to be a large party because of the RSVPs, but I had no clue that I had only received half of the RSVPs!! Our house was PACKED!! It was fun though, and we survived a fun birthday party! Even better is that the weather was BEAUTIFUL again in January for his party!! That is two years in a row that the kids played outside without coats! One of these years, I will count on nice weather, and end up with ice! Hee, hee!

The tradition continued, and I decorated Jackson's birthday cake. Every year, when I'm up at 2 AM icing a cake, I wonder what I am thinking!!

Jackson's fifth birthday cake! How is my baby boy FIVE??

All decorated and presents are arriving!

Jackson insisted on wearing his Zoo Keeper, er "Camping" outfit.

We served hot dogs of course!

We set the tent up outside for the kids to play in. Notice Jackson's backpack. He wore it because it was filled with his camping gear.

We also roasted marshmallows for s'mores! Thank goodness I have incredible friends, because they were able to take care of the s'more station for me! This was fun though!

Some of the crowd that was in the backyard.

Jackson wanted a pinata too. This is another tradition that I have wondered why I started it!? It is fun, but keeping kids out of the swing of a bat is really hard! We searched and searched for a pinata that would work with the theme. Finally, I found a different party store than the chain. Jackson and I walked around the store staring at all of the pinatas trying to make them work with our theme. Finally, Jackson saw the "snake" and said that it was perfect because there are snakes when you camp! I'm hoping that we don't have snakes when we go camping, but the pinata works!

This pinata was made of steel! As you can see, it ended up on the ground with Jackson hitting it over and over! FINALLY, it broke just a little. I ended up tearing it apart!

After the pinata, it was time for games. I gathered all of the kids up in the tent. The adults outside the tent thought it was funny that I was in the tent with all 18 kids. I passed out flashlights, told a story, and then they went on a bug hunt in the backyard.