It all started with this cute invitation:
We used the color scheme from the invitation as the basis for the party theme, right down to the colorful circles (the shape of pancakes!) on the tablecloth and above the table with the balloons.
(Tell me that table isn't awesome! It's a real school cafeteria table, borrowed from my boss-man and it was perfect for this party.)
Right before the party, the pancakes were set out piping hot along side all of the toppings we had to offer.
Gummy bears, sugared worm (one of Jack's favorites), sprinkles, and mini-chocolate chips could be spooned on.
No pancake would be complete without syrup, so we had maple, chocolate and strawberry to choose from, with a little whipped cream to top it all off.
Jack was very eager to get his little party started! The cute sign was a gift from his teachers at school, and I thought it was just perfect that they used the dots, just like in the invitation and on the table cloth, so we stuck it up next to his cake.
No party activities were necessary since making the pancakes was the activity! The kids, who were all decked out in their pajamas, dug right in and made their own pancake masterpieces.
It was loads of fun, and not nearly as messy as I had imagined it might be.
After stuffing themselves with pancakes and handfuls of toppings, everyone went outside (it was SO warm in December this year, NOTHING like last year's below freezing temps!) to run around and play, and burn off some of their sugar highs.
After that, we rounded everyone back up and came inside to have birthday cake. Yes, more sugar!
I know the "thing to do" these days is to have kiddos wait until they are home to open the presents, but I just don't understand that. I want to see the joy in a child's face when he's opening the gifts, plus, I LOVE watching all the other kids reactions too.
So since we were already home, we went ahead and opened all those gifts up. There was a LOT of ooh-ing and ahh-ing from all the little ones, and lots of help opening the packages, and even more help getting into the toys and playing with them right away, which I happen to really love seeing. It's probably my favorite part to be honest.
The fact that it teaches Jack to share no matter what the occasion or how new the toy doesn't hurt either.
Plus, look at the wonder and curiosity on all of their faces! Who could resist that?
Jack's Grandma has not missed a single one of Jack's birthday parties. She flies in every year to be with him, and she is tons of help with party prep too! She always has great gifts for Jack, and this year, she gave him what was probably one of his favorite gifts.
He had been in the habit of serving "pizza" to us, pretending that whatever flat item he could find was pizza and serving it up to anyone who would pretend to take a slice. At Thanksgiving, I even made him a pizza out of paper plates so he'd have something to serve for dinner!
So Grandma got him a Melissa & Joey Wooden Pizza set, complete with serving tray, slicer, toppings, and of course, Pizza! He immediately started serving all his guests.
Then Nana really topped the day off with several pair of new pajamas for the little man. Pajamas as presents at a pajama party...DUH!
He wasted zero time getting into them either, stripping down right that very second to change into them then and there. (You may have noticed from the cake photo to the party photo, he'd already had one outfit change, so this makes 3! Told he loved pj's!)
After all the presents were opened and sufficiently played with, our party guests departed with hugs and goody bags (which I didn't photograph, but were also dotted and adorable).
After everyone else had gone, Jack had his Deeda whip out the screwdriver and start assembling thos toys that needed it, and then we all played in the floor with them together.
It was a really great party, and so much fun. I love that I was able to give Jack something that he loved, and something that I loved. I can't wait to see what he'll want to do when he gets to decide next year!
