Ever since Hyrum was named we thought it would be fun if when Hyrum was on sports teams or with his friends that they could call him Hy five. Yeah I know, I know. I'm cheesy. But we set out to find things with the number five on them. ( they are really hard to find as it turns out ) We found a few.
( Hyrum circa 2009)
This year was Hyrum's fifth birthday and i knew it needed to be special birthday...and it was. He decided that this year was to be his Star Wars birthday. A birthday party we are particularlyequip to throw. I set out to find killer Star Wars games that would be fun to a 5 year old yet not so elaborate that someone with a newborn could throw together in a week when we had help. We specifically did his party on Friday so my parents could be here to help and in the end it could NOT have been done without them. I would have had a nervous break down I promise.
When we were in the beginning phases of planning I was asking Hyrum who he wanted to come to his party and he said (being completely in LOVE with 'A New Hope' at the time) Han Solo, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, C3P0 and R2D2. I didn't have the heart to tell him that they were not real but as the days went on and he told every last person he saw who was coming to his birthday party and talking to me nonstop and excitedly about who was coming to his party I had to break it to him that they were not only actors but were actually a lot older than when they made the movie. I showed him a picture of what Han Solo looks like now and he said "Why did he become a president?" (Thinking that he'd become a president of the church...who of course all have white hair...well I guess president Monson doesn't which kind of begs the question that never occurred to me until now.."How is that? Does he dye his hair?" Interesting) So I had to shatter his dreams of having the Star Wars heros at his party. But in my defense he didn't have many others on his list. I wanted to encourage real live friends. But I did manage to bring some of his imaginary friends to the party.
I had the itinerary all planned out...and printed...and taped to the wall. We started off watching the Padawan Menace while the party guests arrived.
Then when all were here we went out back for a little pit droid pizza and gaffe bread sticks. Then when everyone got done we got a visitor for our first game
Jango says (similar to Simon says in most respects)
Then after that they challenged themselves in the jedi training course which was an obstaclecourse in which they ran and made their way across the "lava" around the tree over the play set and in between the "asteroids" to the finish line. A piece of cake for all of them but gave them a chance to RUN.
Right before the guests arrived ( or maybe it was when they were eating dinner ) I found some Star Wars shoe size stickers that my amazing mother in law gave us ( a giant roll of them mind you ). I was struck with the brilliant idea to use them as accomplishment stickers that theyreceived after each challenge. Each accomplishment moving them toward their ultimate goal of becoming a "true jedi" It worked flawlessly, calming many a rowdy party guest.
Then came the moment they didn't even know they were waiting for. They got their lightsabers. We made them out of a section of PVC pipe and a dollar store pool noodle. Perfect! We let them brawl for awhile.
Then they got in pairs to do some lightsaber training. They and their partner had to keep a balloon aloft for as long as they could using only their lightsabers. After that they tested their skills with a "real" jedi master...a pinata, of course.
Since Hyrum's birthday is always around cinco de Mayo there are always pinatas on sale the week before his party so we always have a pinata...it's become tradition. Last year was easy since there are plenty of super hero pinatas...not as many Star Wars ones. Luckily I had my dad here who was up to the challenge of making superheros into jedi. Or as it turned out Diego ( of Go Diego Go fame ) into a jedi. I wish I'd gotten a picture of the before because the transformation was really dramatic. Here's a couple progress pictures.
We put the jedi on a long painters pole to bounce it around with. And we used the lightsabers which I totally didn't think would work to break it. But they worked quite well actually.
We were doing so well. There had been no tears shed during the party. Due in part to there being no prizes. Everyone won. The stickers... genius I tell you. No tears that is until the pinata.
Like I've said before. It's not a party at our house until someone throws a fit. Well someone knocked some candy out and Hyrum didn't get any...cue the fit.
So Derek, the master, came after they each had a few trys at whacking it and told them that it was a test of a true jedi to see if they would wait on the line while he hit all the candy out of it (milky ways, starbursts and mint pattys, which I think look like tiny deathstars - I'm a sucker for a theme) until he said that they could get the candy.
I was completely impressed when not a single boy moved from the line to get the candy. It may have something to do with the fact that Derek threatened them with not getting any candy at all if they moved. In the end they all got candy and were happy.
Then they all got the chance to destroy the death star. My dad had drawn two death stars on the driveway and the boys were divided into squadrons and brought to the front and each given a blaster ( water gun ) and then they were to try to destroy ( erase ) the death star with their blasters until they ran out of ammunition.
Then when everyone was done they all went to get a torpedo ( water balloon ) and then on the count of three they were to "shoot" their torpedos at the death star.
Everyone had a blast with this and we played this game at our house again and again for days and even weeks after. A true sign of a good game. We've also found ourselves playing Jango says from time to time as well.
Then there was cake and another "friend" joined the party
( That would be Luke Skywalker who joined the party)
We never got to gifts when the guests were here. We just ran out of time. We did them after and took pictures to go in thank you notes. The gift from us had to be a presentation.
A two wheel bike. He was excited but was much more interested in opening and playing with the TOYS he'd gotten. We prevailed upon him to get on the bike but there wasn't that much excitement
That is until he put on Mema and Papa's gift.
He calls it armor and it has been completely essential to his riding a two wheeled bike, even with training wheels. He absolutely loves his bike and armor.
Happy birthday Hy five. We can't believe it's only been five years since you've been here, we can't remember what life was like without you yet we can't believe you've grown up so fast. We love you!
3 comments:
Gabrielle said...
What fantastic ideas for games! I love the 'destroy the death star' game. We may have to play that even though we aren't having a party:)
Sunny said...
There was also a unfreeze Han game we didn't end up playing. You just freeze a action figure of Han solo in ice and then do a bucket brigade to unthaw him with warm water. :) Not that your having a Star Wars party but fun. You could make it a lesson about reversible change. :)
Kyle and Amy Brinkerhoff said...
Great Party Sunny!