Henry’s birthday is actually on June 23rd, but we have a hectic summer, so we opted to have his party early. Plus, inviting people to summer birthdays can be hard…people travel and have plans, or so I’ve learned.
When he found out you could have your birthday party at the skate park, it was pretty much a done deal. That’s what he wanted. Lucky for him, this mama loved the idea too. No cleaning my house before? No cleaning my house after? No worrying about decor and themes and activities? I mean, seriously.
Party prep was little more than running to Walmart the night before for $5 worth of a plastic tablecloth and some paper plates and napkins.
Sign me up.
Long ago he asked for a new skateboard. There wasn’t so much anything wrong with his old one, but there were some cool green wheels he’s been eyeing in that glass case for months now. He pretty much made sure they were still there every time we walked through the shop. I pretty much stressed that they would be sold one day.
We headed to the shop a few minutes before the party started so that he could pick out all of the elements for his new board and have it put together for first use at his party. A skateboard looks like a pretty simple gig, but there are a million different pieces (okay, like 6, but still).
I try to work it out with family to pitch in for one joint gift. Not only does this mean your kid can get something you would normally think was too expensive, but it works out that you only add ONE more toy/thing to the stash of junk in your house. Score.
Watching it all get put together is pretty much Little Boy Heaven.
He even got to help a little bit.
Moms are SO annoying.
(Pssst, that cute felt Happy Birthday banner was only $4.99 at Target! Eeek!)
I even cheated and ordered cupcakes from the bakery downstairs. If you know me at all, you know that this is really out of character for me. The week leading up to his party was BUSY. Like, too busy for even simple cupcake baking. It was REALLY nice to just walk over and pick them up.
Besides, how cotton pickin’ cute did that turn out???!!!
I made sure it was green.
Because of course it had to be.
Trying out the new board.
It’s all very exciting.
The kids wheeled around happily.
Easiest party ever.
No one even broke a bone or anything.
About halfway through the party, Mr. Dan offered to do a few tricks for the kids.
He rounded up the crew and made them sit.
Please note Henry. At attention. Hanging on every word.
He gives no one else that kind of attention. No one. Mr. Dan is the coolest in all the land.
And so began the Jumping of the Boards.
Which is kind of like the Running of the Bulls. Only totally different.
You should have heard the kids….”Ooooohhhhhhh….” “Aaaaaaahhhhhh….”
(Look at the girls…totally unimpressed! Ha!)
Like I said, Mr. Dan is the coolest.
I can’t even stand on the dang thing.
More boards were stacked…
Kids watched in awe. Mamas yapped. Dads hung back.
Finally the stack was 6 boards high.
Henry’s new board the piece de resistance.
(Also note that it already has a giant gash in it. Apparently this is normal. Oy.)
Mr. Dan asked me if he could jump over Henry.
Look at that face. Nervous excitement. It’s too much.
This kid. Man I love him.
And then “two” kids!
NBD.
A few Costco pizzas fed the hungry crowd and we finished off the morning with singing and cake.
This was seriously the best, easiest, funnest birthday party ever.
“Mom. That party wasn’t cool. It was AWESOME!!!!!”
Happy birthday Buddy. You’re pretty awesome too. Thanks for being our kid. Even if you do weird things like skateboard. And then you’re all sweaty. Because you’re a gross boy. But you’re a cute gross boy so I guess I’ll take it.
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haha…soooo cute and COOL.
I bet skateboarding is a blast. I have three daughters. Love love the cake!
seriously sassy mama´s last blog post ..Summer + Snowcones = AWESOME!
Seriously so cute! I get jealous everytime I read about the skate shop. I so wish we had one here. There’s a shop, but no park. Ad no lessons. My 5 year old girl has been dying to learn! So glad cute Henry can go!
My favorite picture is Mr. Dan smiling while working on the board with the kids watching him. How fun is it to work at a skate shop and have little kids taking up your passion? Also love Henry’s attentive listening to Mr. Dan, who is of course cooler than cool. No wonder H is enraptured. And, the cupcake cake? Love it! Good job, mama. Easy birthdays are the best. xo, ab
Anne @ anne b. good´s last blog post ..What The Bloggy-Blog
Love it!! Happy Birthday Henry! I’m am so bewildered at these tiny boys skateboarding! My kid is so overly cautious, it still takes coaxing to get him to go down a friggin SLIDE by himself. No jumping off the couch, no climbing ANYTHING – we call him Mr. Safety. We are constantly trying to get him to be a little less cautious which goes against everything I’ve been taught about being a parent…haha. So a boy that age on a skateboard? Totally amazing to this mama…glad he had so much fun – looks like it was a great day!!
Kirsten´s last blog post ..I blinked
That’s it. We’re meeting there. He’ll have a blast.
How awesome. That really looks like it was a pretty cool party. And no decorating or clean up? Cherry on the top.
Jeannett, that looked like so much fun and did sound easy. Loved the cake, to. What a little man you have.
You are the fun mom!
Mari´s last blog post ..Bucket List: 2. Bonjovi Concert
What a cool party – good job, Mom!
I wish I had a son so I could throw a cool skate party too! Loved your post.
Tina´s last blog post ..Friday Freebie
Where is the location of this skate shop/park? Such a great party idea! Thanks for sharing :)
Where is the location of this skate shop/park? Such a great party idea! Thanks for sharing – my daughter would LOVE this :)