Let’s talk party ideas! from the start I knew that I wanted to do something extra special for the kids to take home from the party that was related to the theme and particularly because it was a small party with just a few friends. That’s when I came up with the idea to make all of the kids a jedi tunic! Because I sew I thought it wouldn’t be such a big deal and I knew that I could make them rather cheaply from Cotton Poplin for only a few dollars a metre. I also got lucky when shopping and found this brilliant studded ribbon that i could sew on to make the belt ties. The idea for the tunic was so it would be basic to make and pretty much be a one size fits all. The birthday boy and his big brother were dressing up in their Star Wars costumes so it only made sense that the rest of the kids had something to wear too. Plus while I was at it I thought I may as well make myself a Rey costume to wear and make Daddy a tunic too. The kids also were given bubble wands (light sabres, with may the force be with you tags), Star Wars masks, colouring in sheets and party blowers. Every child at the party was given “Jedi Knight Training Academy” certificates once they completed their Jedi Training (playing all the games at the party).

The party games were all themed around their jedi training and included – A Jedi Must Fight Well (Light Sabre Training – foam light sabres and a balance beam, if they step off the beam they lose), A Jedi Must Be Strong (Death Star Pinata – rather simple to make – you can buy perfectly round balloons for the over all shape and then you simply fill the hole you leave with a paper bowl to make the crater), A Jedi Must Be Precise (Storm Trooper Shooting Practice – shoot the storm trooper water bottles with nerf guns), A Jedi Must Have Focus (Storm Trooper Egg & Spoon Race), A Jedi Must Be Quick (Defuse the Thermal Detonator – popping balloons to find the winning balloon), A Jedi Must Play Fair (Death Star Pass the Parcel), A Jedi Must Be Agile (Musical Jedi Statues) and Jedi Wars! (Musical Cushions/Chairs – we did cushions due to space).

For the decorations we stuck with a very space look, plenty of black, white and silver. I was able to hang silver stars and had silver paper lantern planets. I was lucky that it is quite easy to find Star Wars themed table cloths, posters and banners. For the back drop of the party food table I used a plain black table cloth attached to the wall and printed out large letters in the Star Wars font to make Preston’s name, I love adding those personal touches to the decorations. We also had a light up letter P as a decoration on the table. We already owned quite a few star wars toys which made decorating the table very easy. We had lots of Star Wars Mr Potato Heads. We hung storm trooper balloons and black marbled balloons.

Keeping with the theme all of the food was Star Wars related, and probably one of the most fun parts for me. The cake was a light sabre which was extremely simple as i used sponge rolls for the cake and simply had to decorate them. I made Death Stars which were caramel cake balls dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled with silver edible glitter. Wookie Cookies, which are basically chocolate flavoured gingerbread men decorated using a fork to make the furry look and chocolate and sprinkles to create his armour strap, eyes and mouth. Obi-Wan Kabab-ies, mini fruit kebabs with strawberries, grapes and watermelon – you could use any fruit you like. Thermal Detonators – Cheeto balls. C-3 PO Pcorn – yummy flavoured popcorn. And to finish of the food table decorations, personalised water bottles with my personal favourite, the back of the label saying “Luke I Am Your Water” and a place for the kids to write their name. On the table for the adults I served sushi, a dipping platter and spring roll Lightsabers.

In our home theatre we had one of the most recent star wars movies playing too for the adults or kids to have a chill out and watch. We also had a craft available for people to do while we waited for the guests to arrive.; there were Princess Leia Buns or Yoda Ear head bands to make. Over all it was a fun day for everyone involved and quite a simple party to throw considering this was only one week after Addison’s Mario Birthday Party. I tried to keep all the food super simple, buy would I could and make things in advance. The kids all enjoyed a pizza lunch and lots of yummy star wars food. If you would like to know anything about the party feel free to comment below.

Firstly for November we celebrated Preston’s 5th birthday for which he had a Star Wars Themed birthday party (I’ll do a separate post for the party).

Addison had his swimming carnival at school, and despite not being the strongest of swimmers he made it to the end of each race and all of his classmates supported him and cheered him on as he did.

Jasper had his playgroup breakup / Christmas party where he had lots of fun with his friends and was given some little treats for the end of the year.

It was also Addison’s Presentation Evening at school where he was given the title for the year of “Kind and Patient Friend” very fitting indeed. We also had Addison’s last day of school for grade one as he heads into his school holidays to recharge ready for a big year in grade two, and of course to enjoy the Christmas fun next month.

As you know, I do love a good party. And better yet, one with a fun theme. Thankfully the Mario games have so many different characters and lots of bright colours, that it made planning the decorations, food and games ever so easy.

For the party food I did my best to stick with very easy to prepare (or store bought) themed food. The birthday cake was of course the centrepiece for the party table, and I kept the rest of the food rather simple (we had organised for pizza’s – Luigi’s Pizza’s to be exact, for lunch for the kids). We had “Fire Balls” which were Cheeto balls, “Ice Balls” which were popcorn, and a fruit & veg platter in the shape of a “Fire Power Flower”. We had “Piranha Plants” made using marshmallows on sticks, gold chocolate coins scattered all over the table, and bananas with eyes drawn on for “Mario Kart Bananas”. I designed personalised themed labels for the water bottles, just to add to the overall look of the table.

Decorations were all fairly simple, made out of paper to create a Mario world as a backdrop for the food. I used white balloons to make boos, hanging them throughout the house.

All the games were themed too, with Stomp the Goombah (goombah balloons), a gold coin treasure hunt, Yoshi egg and spoon races and a chain dog piñata that I made myself.

The cake was three massive tiers that I made at home. The bottom was a Mario level, the second was a question box piñata cake with gold chocolate coins on the inside and the top layer was a Mario tunnel with a Mario figurine popping out the top. I found 7 star shaped candles and a colourful number seven that all added to the theme.

The thankyou party favours (which took forever to cut out) were chocolate bars wrapped inside a Nintendo controller cardboard box wrapper, all personalised of course. We also had take home Yoshi Tongue party blowers and various Mario colouring in sheets.

Addison wore his brand new Luigi costume (unfortunately I couldn’t get Mario) and although he was actually unwell on the day of his party he still had a really fun time with his friends. And I’m pretty sure they all at a great time too!

We also celebrated Addison’s 7th birthday at the end of the month. Addison decided on a Mario theme for both his cake and party (I’ll do a seperate post for his party).

We also enjoyed the Kindy Halloween Party again this year. Addison and I had matching costumes, he wore his mummy made Gene Wilder inspired Willy Wonka Costume and I dressed as the “I want it girl” Verruca Salt from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Charles was dressed as a Roman. Preston went as Venom and Jasper was our little skeleton. It’s always lots of fun with face painting, games for the kids, jumping castles, craft and their very own trick or treating.

What a party filled month!!

Addison finished his first year of school (again I’ll do a post just for this) and we attended his first presentation night at Emmanuel College. All of the children are awarded a special certificate that says one of their best qualities.

We went out on Charles’ bosses boat for a day, which was the first time the 3 boys had been on the water. We all had a really nice day.

We had a visit from our good friend’s the Jones family and managed to get a selfie with all 8 of us!

And because of the way the weekend fell we decided to put up our Christmas tree right at the end of November! (usually we do this dec 1st).

Not only that but of course we attend the Halloween Kindy Party, which is always a blast. This year the two big boys dressed up as Harry Potter (addi) and Draco Malfoy (prez), I was wonder woman and Jazzy Bear dressed as clark kent/superman.

Addison attended his first school excursion to Flay’s wildlife park…fell asleep on the bus on the way back! Very typical of Addi!!

I came across the idea on Pinterest and thought it would be perfect for his birthday cake. Plus I was just about all baked out from the other cakes and cupcakes I’d been making in the past 3 weeks for the boys birthdays.