Happy Birthday, Jack, whose real birthday is actually next week

Jack just this minute-- like, I only just now got done sweeping up cake crumbs and reassembling the living room furniture-- had the funnest, most 1980s birthday party we've ever thrown.

When Ben and I asked him where he wanted his party this year, we were not prepared for his answer of home.  But we gamely hired a magician, took him on a half-assed trip to Party City for a million mismatched party accessories, and made all the food he and his girlfriend (yep) requested.

We sort of assumed the worst, but it turned out to be really fun and not at all stressful, mainly because Ben's parents came in for the day to help wrangle and we did not Pinterest one single thing.

If it were really the 80s, the kids who rode their bikes would not have had helmets and parent escorts, and we would have served Kool-Aid not organic juice with only 5 grams of sugar per serving.  But still, we had pin the tail on the donkey, hot potato, a magician, a pinata, and a silly-looking homemade cake.

I remember awkward parties in the preschool years where parents all stayed around and mingled because we couldn't leave our snowflakes.  but in elementary school?  Parents don't even come to a complete stop before thrusting their kids out of the car and waving through the rolled-up window.  Sigh.

In this picture, Jack is leaning in to kiss his girlfriend:

 Magician's assistant.

 IDK what was happening here.  I was upstairs filling treat bags and changing the kitchen tables from treat bag decorating station to food-ready.

 (He is still wearing this hat. My favorite thing about first graders, I realized today, is their commitment to party hats).

 See what I mean?

 Third graders are big fans, too.

 Jack had SO MUCH FUN.

 Ben and his dad came up with this solution to our muddy back yard and front yard pinata positioning issues.

 Almost a group shot sort of.

 He concentrates SO HARD on his candles.

 And keeps blowing after they're out to make sure he spits all over the cake.  Like you do.

 Here's the random, non-themed assortment of shit he picked out for his friends' favor bags.  And stupid, stupid me put whistles in my kids' bags, too.  The gift that keeps on giving.  Of course my kids need to take home favors from their own party.  I mean, seriously.

 So much pinata candy.  And Ben bought MORE. The kids said it was better than halloween because they didn't have to walk anywhere to get it.  Erm.

 Treat bag decorating-- crayons, markers, colored pencils, and stickers.  No-frills and the kids LOVED it and took their job very seriously.

 Jack chose all his decorations

 And spent a lot of time picking out every. single. baloon.

 Oh look, it's a first grade class in my basement.  They were very good little listeners, even Harry and his friend, who thought-- at ages 8 and 9-- that they might be too mature for the show.

 Dorothy was not so sure.

 So many volunteers.

 He smiled THE WHOE TIME.

 Come to think of it, I take party hats pretty seriously, too.