James and Ellie's Birthday Party Celebration

We combined James and Ellie's birthdays into one big celebration -- a superhero birthday party bash! Up until the day before the party I was just planning to do our "normal" party routine -- people come over, we serve some food and drinks, get out a cake and sing happy birthday, eat cake and ice-cream and then open the presents. Well, about 24 hours before the party was scheduled to begin I started feeling guilty that James wasn't getting the party he'd asked for. Ever since Russell celebrated his birthday at Jumpin Janes in March, James has been telling me on a regular basis that he also wants to have HIS birthday party at Jumpin Janes... I'd totally blown him off, and honestly, I hadn't even really told him "no". So, when the guilt set in, I decided that I'd make his birthday extra special at home, and thus, the "superhero birthday" theme began!

My first step was the convince my mother that we could make superhero capes for all the kids. Her exact response to me was "if I could make 10 superhero capes by tonight, I would be a superhero!". I informed her that I actually needed 12 capes, and promised her that I'd do everything non-sewing related to make it happen... if she would only do the sewing part for me. And, as usual, my Mom came through for me! She showed up at our house around 6pm with 12 super hero capes all cut out - and we then spent the next several hours cutting out the logo for the backs, ironing them on, and attaching the velcro. When all was said and done, we had made 12 child-sized capes (custom made -- each with the child's initial on the back logo and the right length for their height!) PLUS we had made a "villain" cape for Papa Hayes to wear! :)

James was THRILLED with the superhero theme, and all the kids were beyond excited for the party to get started! After the guests all arrived the kids were given their capes and got to decorate a "superhero mask" with stickers. The girls got pink masks and the boys got black masks. After everyone was satisfied with their mask I made the whole gang head outside for some photos. Here are some of the better ones I got!

(Superhero line up - Batman (James) at one end and the Villain (Papa Hayes) at the other!)

Next, we played some games! Dave and Uncle Bryon were in charge of hiding the Kryptonite in our "Batcave" basement for the kids to find. Dave had decorated the basement with black crepe paper, and the Kryptonite they were searching for was glow sticks. Even though Dave and Uncle Bryon forgot to activate the glow sticks (meaning they weren't actually glowing...) the kids enjoyed the hunt. The last game was "Vaporize the Villain" - and I think the adults enjoyed it more than the kids did! I gave each kiddo a bottle of silly string, and sent the Villain (Papa Hayes) outside to fight the superheros! The Villain illegally went for the water hose to fight off the superheros, but at the end, I think the superheros won the game!

(The Villain being vaporized with silly string!)

We finished the party off by singing the kids happy birthday (while Belle played the piano for her first time ever accompanying vocalists!), eating Dairy Queen cake, and opening presents. We didn't get any pictures of the birthday cake or singing, but I'm trying not to be too upset because Dave got it all on video! Both James and Ellie got tons of gifts and were beyond spoiled on their big day! The whole day was such a success, I'm slightly afraid of how the next birthday celebration will go... I hope the kids don't expect it to top this party!

(Mommy & Ellie opening gifts-- Superhero James, aka Batma, surveying his loot!)