Saturday Xander turned 5. This is always a busy time of year for us, with multiple birthdays and anniversaries within a week. But it has felt especially busy this year with the house build and preparation for my trip to NYC.
Nailing down a theme seems to get harder and harder with him. At first he wanted a bicycle party, but then he decided that he already knows how to ride his bike, so why would he need a bicycle party? We talked about a music party because he has recently started piano lessons, but we finally settled on a science party.
Xander is rather inquisitive and loves to learn about things like anatomy, space, and what makes something work. Once a week my dad takes him to the library, where they both spend time hypothesizing and learning. It’s clear he gets this love from my dad (who has been a pharmacist, a doctor, and in retirement loves to study nuclear physics and calculus I definitely did not get that gene!). This coupled with Xander’s love of Dexter’s Laboratory sealed the deal on a laboratory inspired party.
I tend to go big for parties, but this time I promised myself I wouldn’t. Not only was time an issue (we didn’t pick a theme until a few weeks ago), but prep space and resources were issues. I have one small basket in the cabin for craft supplies – 95% of my things are in storage – so I knew I didn’t have a lot to work with, and I didn’t want to buy much because we don’t have any space to store it. Because of this, I kept the decor very minimal, mainly using borrowed or disposal things, and let the experiments be decorative as well.
Martha Stewart sent me this fringe cutter in the mail last week, so I took some tissue paper I had on hand and used it to make a little garland for the table at the last minute. The cutter definitely made the project go much more quickly than scissors.
And I used my dad’s board to do some chalk art. The pad on the back was filled with his own notes: a perfect fit for the party.
It helps that my in-laws backyard is just really beautiful too. Not much decor needed.
The one thing I did splurge on was Xander’s lab coat.
I knew it would be something he would wear after the party, and anytime you can get something personalized, it makes it that much more adorable.
We kept food and drink really simple, with our favorite carry out pizza and the most tasty bottled drinks that you can pick up at World Market. Remember, I don’t love to cook.
The traditional birthday spankings get rather rowdy around here.
And the boys got crazy with their laser guns.
After we ate, we pulled out some green slime Xander and I had made that morning.
And it didn’t take the boys long to figure out that you could make bodily noises with it.
We also made plenty of volcanos and elephant toothpaste.
It was unusually chilly, so we finished off with presents and brownies with ice cream inside. It was hard for me to not put as much time into this party as I usually do, and prepping for it during the day had me second guessing myself often, but I found I was able to enjoy the actual party more. There was less to manage, and that allowed me time to do the experiments with the kids and just enjoy the celebration.
Jess rey says
Love your sense of creativity! Cool birthday idea.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Jess!
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
It looks like a totally darling, festive party. No one would ever guess you had to scale back! Your kiddies are so sweet. Also, I envision my retirement slightly different than your dad's… 😉
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
You do parties like no other my friend. Well done!
Bethany DeVore says
So adorable and I agree, personalization just puts things right over the top!
lina labib says
Science themed birthday parties are wicked! Love your chalkboard art too!
Emily Morris says
Xander is the sweetest! What a fun, interactive party for all the kids. It turned out so cute! I completely agree…scaling back allows you to stress less and really enjoy the meaning of the day and the people that are there to celebrate. I love the picture of Kate and Joel – very sweet 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, friend!
Albertina M. Cisneros says
what a cute, cute party! I love it. Kids are so drawn to science it's a perfect fit. I know the mentos and soda is so popular. You do have a lot of birthdays this month.
Kristin@bliss-athome.com says
Such a cute theme for a party! You do the best parties 🙂
Rachel Rardon says
So perfect. That tablecloth is epic. Love the pictures where you captures his joy & excitement with the science experiments – and the ones in the lab coat are absolutely priceless!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, Rachel! That was definitely a last minute decision. 🙂
Audrey @ Oh So Lovely says
Just lovely! The kiddos look like they really enjoyed themselves. 🙂
Melanie Knopke says
adorable! As always, a perfect kids party!
Matt Voges says
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