Saturday, December 2, 2017

Star Wars Jedi Training Birthday Party - Matthew Turns 8!


Our sweet Matthew is eight today. EIGHT! How in the world did that happen? He has gone from my big eater, big sleeper, big smiler of a baby boy to the most big hearted, big life lover of a big kid. He is silly, active, talkative (seriously, you guys.. so. many. words.), a hard worker, and such a good friend to those around him. He loves football (all sports, really), legos, RC cars, math, science, writing, doing anything outside, and doing anything with his sister or together as a family. He eats more than I do and is taller than Evelyn (I'm pretty sure he is one of the tallest if not the tallest 2nd grader at school). We are so thankful he is ours and can't imagine our family without him. We are thankful that the Lord showed us such favor and blessed us with our Matthew.

We have always had "themed" parties for the kids at our house.. it's our "thing". This year is Matthew's year for a party (we alternate who gets the party every year... two December birthdays means keeping it manageable). With me having surgery 6 weeks ago we originally decided to do something different this year and do a party at a place like Peitro's or Safari Sam's, just to make it easier on us. But I just kept thinking about how much Matthew has wanted a "Jedi Training" party. Even tho he said he was fine doing something else, I really wanted to do a party for him. I thought about it and started to see how hard it would be to pull it off.. and decided to go for it. Thankfully Doug was supportive and I am SO glad we did it!

Here's a recap of Matthew's fun day. Warning: LOTS of photos ahead!

Got things ready to celebrate our boy the night before...

My Lamborghini fan was super excited to get a remote control Lambo from Jody!!
Naomi "helping" as only she can...HA!
Lovin' his new Seahawks winter cap.

He is pretty stinkin' special... and he loves his cinnamon rolls!

The rest of the morning was doing final prep for the party. We did a lot of prep beforehand which helped a ton.





Snacks. The party was from 1-4, so we did snacks, not a meal. Fun, simple and yummy was the goal!
The table. Matthew picked out the plates and tablecloth. I would have done something different, but it was his party, so I just went with it. It turned out great! He has good taste! 
Our Death Star Pinata. It is actually a soccer ball pinata that Doug spray painted two shades of grey and then Matthew and Evelyn did the black detail. 
Light Saber cupcakes. The presentation was a huge hit! Matthew picked what color he wanted here, too.  
Waiting for his friends to arrive.. he was so excited!


I made simple "Jedi" outfit for the boys to wear for the party. 




Lots of silliness abounds with this crew! So thankful for good buddies for our boy!

Our first activity was to make light sabers. Doug handled this activity and it the boys had fun designing their own battle tool!











The boys' first training activity was keeping balloons up with "the force" (or their light sabers. Ha!). They really got into it and were on a mission not to let the balloons touch the ground.



Controlled chaos... or something! :) 

Next the boys "Bombed the Death Star". I used a corn hole game and transformed it to look like the Death Star. They had to throw the bean bags at the target... with their eyes closed! The boys took this game very seriously and were great and cheering each other on!


"Shoot the Storm Trooper".. by far the "training skill" the boys liked best. Because nerf guns. Need I say more? I painted some toilet paper rolls black and then glued on storm trooper faces on them. We set the on different places on the basement stairs and each boy got to shoot. So. Much. Fun. 

I should say that during the party, Doug had "Star Wars" music playing thru the entire house, which added a fun ambience. 

One the boys were done with the basement activities, it was time to feed them. They enjoyed the break.. and the snacks, as I told them they needed to get filled up before the biggest part of their training was happening next. 




My amazing husband transformed our garage into the coolest light saber dueling arena. He made a balance beam to duel on, got some cool lighting and music (of course), and although simple it was amazing!! The boys were in awe and were so excited to battle!







Doug made it fair and everyone got to battle at least twice. 


Silly, crazy Jedi's

Then...(cue dark music).... Darth Vader himself  walked in!! :) He came to duel with the winner of the boys' dueling, but the boys just attacked him....HA! 



Yes, my husband is a rock star, taking one for the team and dressing up for his boy and his buddies!

Time for cupcakes!






Our final activity was the Death Star pinata. We thought it was going to be quick and fun activity to end the party, but this thing would NOT break. Everyone (kids and adults alike) tried multiple times. It was hilarious!










We finally switched to a heavy metal bat and after a few attempts we got it broken. It gave everyone a good laugh!

I didn't get a picture of the party favors, but they boys each got a bag of star wars stuff (a puzzle, pez, and stickers). I am glad all the boys had so much fun. 

These girls. Evelyn and her besties Ellie and Elle. They were so helpful in keeping the boys in line and the games running smoothly. At one point in the party I couldn't find my phone. The girls found it and apparently took this selfie before giving it back to me! Love it... love them, and thankful for their help today!

We waited until after the party to open presents. There just wasn't time when the boys were here. He was blessed with so many thoughtful gifts!












He loved everything and was so amazed at all the cool things he received!

Matthew went to bed tonight a year older and with a happy and full heart.

Happy Birthday Matthew... we love you to the moon and back!!



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