Video Game Party

My 7 year old birthday boy loves, loves, loves the video game, Call of Duty.
So the video truck was reserved and the planning started.
We found a great video game invite by Paper So Pretty.

The Cake theme was "Call of Duty" Camouflage, of course,
with personalized dog tags in gumpaste.

  

Chocolate cupcakes with camo sprinkles were added for the
chocolate lovers. 

"Camo Everything" was just what the birthday boy wanted!

Party treats consisted of chocolate cake balls "grenades",

rice crispy treat "care packages" and "tomahawk" #7 sugar cookies. 

 

 The usual party food was served

The Video Game Truck pulled up and the boys went crazy!

2 hours of nonstop gaming.  Here's the Birthday boy & his guests.

The boys lined up to start their gaming mission!

 Game On!

 Platoon Punch for the thirsty gamers

Birthday Boy opening presents.

My soldier's call of duty was complete when he handed out
Wii Candy remote party favors.

And this mom's mission was declared a victory!

Happy 7th Birthday Commander Blaine!

Camping Party

Planning a 10th Birthday Party for my oldest son was a big deal!  After all, he is officially in the double digits...this is a milestone! He'll never see single digits again.   He was feeling a little adventurous and decided he would like an outdoor/overnight camping party.  He's never been camping (and neither have most of his friends for that matter!)  I wasn't sure how this was going to play out but, what ten year old wouldn't like a 16 hour party all about him and fun?

DIY Party Printables by NellaDesigns.com

The Pennant Banner in the background

as I was trying to setup and guests are arriving!

The Camping invitations and matching thank you notes are from candlesandfavors.com

  

The directional signs (compliments of my husband) were at the entrance

and throughout the subdivision.  They looked great!

As everyone arrived they received their Camping Gear:

camouflage backsacks with sling shots, bug spray and mini flashlights.

The sling shot contest and making friendship wristbands!

Chicken Bites, Hot dogs, Chips, Ants on a Log

(peanut butter & jelly on a graham stick),

Swamp Pudding (chocolate pudding with crushed oreos & gummy worms)

and Owl Cookies and Cake Pops were a few of the party foods.

We had cookie cake for the campers and regular cake for family and friends.

An Outdoor Movie was set-up, but the boys were more interested in midnight
baseball and flashlight tag until wee hours of the morning!

A trail mix bar for the hungry campers to mix themselves.

I couldn't setup the breakfast table fast enough...

the boys were exhausted & famished!!!

Donuts, assorted cereals and poptarts along with milk & sunny delights!

The tent the next morning looked like a frat house.

Owl S'mores, inspired by LivingLocurto.com,

were given to friends as party favors!

Safari Party

We're Going on a Safari Tour!

My son loves animals (perhaps a future Veterinarian) and he
wanted to have his birthday at the Global Wildlife Center with a safari.
I found a precious invitation, by San Lori, at a local stationery store and printed myself.

The cake matched the theme and was decorated by a local bakery with a partial globe on top and safari animal faces on the side.  I made matching cupcakes with safari picks to satisfy the little ones.

Brownie Bites, Giraffe Sugar Cookies, and Rice Crispy Treats

Party food was the traditional easy pickup:
chicken tray, finger sandwiches, fruit tray and chips.

What's a party without punch?
Jungle Juice, green Hawaiian Punch.

Plastic vine garlands and inflatable safari animals hung from rafters in the
tree-house gazebo and served as centerpieces on the table,
purchased from Oriental Trading.

The Birthday Boy had a banner at the entrance of the gazebo.

The Happy Birthday Boy on Safari with friends &  family!

Feeding the animals was lots of fun.  They tried to eat the cups!

The Gazebo was a perfect setting over a coy filled pond
with a beautiful view of the Wildlife Acreage.

Pith hats and binoculars (purchased from Oriental Trading) were given to all fellow Safarians.

A Simple Cinco De Mayo Supper

A Mexican Fiesta

What's a Mexican Fiesta or Cinco de Mayo without cerveza and margaritas?  So, that's how we started the evening along with a few black bean tortillas and homemade guacamole.

Grilled Shrimp Fajitas topped with grilled onions, green peppers, lettuce, 

tomatoes, cheese and jalapenos, for a little spice!

A pinata served as the centerpiece, which the kids enjoyed after dinner.

Simple & Delicioso!