Jack's 6th Birthday Parties

Jack decided, quite some time ago, that he wanted to celebrate his birthday with a Michigan State themed party.  I thought that that was a such a great idea; even though my undergraduate degree is from UofM, my doctorate is from Michigan State and it is no secret that we "bleed green" in our agriculturally-based family.

This was his first year to celebrate with a "friend party," and to be honest -- I wasn't sure how to plan one for BOYS.  I have the "girl parties" down to a science ... crafts, games, food, gifts, favor bags, etc.  But boys?  Hmmmm ...

So, I started with the favors.  Everyone received some sports-themed pencils, a foam football, some  and athletic foam fingers.

We did a fun activity outside (thank goodness for good weather!) using plaster volcanoes that Jack and I made and painted the week before.  I was able to explain to them how they worked using a simple acid-base reaction and then started them out.

After a little while, I let the boys do the reactions themselves.  And they probably would have done this ALL AFTERNOON if I would have let them.  It was a definite party favorite!

I also had a game set up inside where the boys took turns throwing sticky footballs at a poster to try and score as many points as possible.  Again, this was another crowd favorite (and to be honest, we still have the game set up on the basement door because my kids still love playing it).

The pizza and breadsticks arrived just in time, as these rowdy boys had their hands washed and were ready to EAT.

The boys munched on fresh popcorn while Jack opened his gifts ... and I have to say ... he received some pretty tremendous things.  He opened a NERF bow and arrow, a squirt gun, another industrial NERF gun, sunglasses, water balloon and walkie-talkies.  He's a pretty special little boy.

Soon, it was time to sing "happy birthday" to our 6-year old.

And then, we ended the party with a pinata in the garage!

Even Jimmy joined in for the fun!

Gosh, there was SO MUCH candy!

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The next day, we celebrated the birthday boy again with a family party.  

There is always a cake at the family party -- one that I make and design myself.  And what Michigan State party would be complete without SPARTY?

Jack requested hamburgers (of course!) for the party, so we feasted on a huge buffet of those, pasta salad, veggies, fruit and chips.  And then, we paused so that Jack could open his gifts.

I only managed to grab one picture the whole time -- I think that I was just taking it all in -- but Jack truly loved each and every one of the things that he unwrapped.  Lots of Pokemon, summer clothes and sunglasses, some mouse traps, a camping lantern, a singing Bass Fish decoration for his room and this huge squirt gun!

Happy 6th birthday, Jack Stanley!