Monster Truck Party!

(Preamble: I am a little hesitant to post these photos, since this year I was a mean ol' Mom and didn't let Jed invite very many friends to his party. And he has a LOT of friends that he loves. So if you are reading this and suddenly realize "Hey! Why wasn't my child invited to the party?!" please don't be upset. Last year's party was too big and very not fun for Mom, so this year I told him three friends and that was it. The choice was hard for him. We somehow ended up with five friends. But that was really it! :) We will be sure to have ALL our friends over for fun stuff this year, I promise.)

Jed turned FIVE YEARS OLD, can you believe it!  I somehow got suckered into a "friend" party, which I swore I would never do again.  But this time we made it fun for mom AND kids!

Jed is obsessed with Monster Trucks, so that was our theme.  Since we had already consumed more birthday cake than should be legal over the last month, I decided that instead of a traditional party we would have a pancake breakfast party.  Michael drew monster trucks on the paper plates and we cooked sourdough pancakes for the wheels.  Everyone got syrup, whippy, and a candle on top.  We sang and each kid got to blow out a candle (which everyone knows is the best part of the birthday party. Surely I am not the only one who has gotten so excited singing the song that I enthusiastically blew the candles out along with the birthday kid and then felt slightly embarrassed for it :)

Then we opened presents.  That's right, first birthday cakes for everyone, then immediately presents. I am throwing the birthday party of my dreams.  (Doesn't everyone just want to open the presents right away!?!)  Lots of good gifts.  Thanks, everyone!

Then playtime for everybody while I set up the craft table! I got out every medium I could think of and spread it out over the whole big table.  There were gasps of joy as the kids came in the room.  So fun!  Ostensibly we were making big monster truck pictures but whatever.  We ended up with an impressive variety of creativity.

Zoe insisted on wearing her party dress.  But she has decided she does NOT like having her photo taken.

Sophia

Thomas

Savannah

After craft time we just goofed around a bit.  Which is what Jed's buddies do best.

Mylee leads the goofballs in a little camera silliness.

I love how many of the girls came dressed up in their own personal party style.

Happy Birthday, Jed!