Brian’s 7th Birthday Party

Today was Brian’s 7th birthday party, and what a bash it was!  Even though his favorite Star Wars spinoff series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars was cancelled more than a year ago, through the magic of eBay, and the Internet, I was able to collect all the party supplies we needed so that he could have the Clone Wars party he dreamed of.  We surprised him with a special present this morning, a talking Captain Rex helmet!  Rex is Brian’s favorite character, so being able to wear his helmet, hear Rex’s catchphrases, and receive “orders” from the Jedi generals was a real treat!  Commander Fluffy, Brian’s Build-a-Bear, was dressed up as Captain Rex for the occasion as well–but, we insisted he stay in the van during the party (we can’t have the Commander getting frosting on his uniform, that just wouldn’t do!)  Nana Rosemary and Sytse came by early to help us get things set up, and after some playtime with the helmet, we headed off to the park to get the picnic shelter transformed into party mode.  We worked hard and finished up just as the first guests started to arrive.  We couldn’t have pulled it off without them!  The kids had a great time playing, and we didn’t have too hard of a time convincing them to eat the party food from Chick-Fil-A (Brian’s request!)  Brian’s cake was pretty fabulous and everyone was just amazed at how it turned out.  Even more than how it looked, the kids and parents both just raved about how great it tasted!  Chocolate cake with white mint frosting (also Brian’s request!)–so yummy!  It converted even the non-cake-eaters and mint-chocolate-haters.  All too soon, our time was up at the shelter, so we packed things up quickly and made our way home.  Back at our house, we cooled off in the air conditioning, and Brian opened up his gifts.  Nana and Sytse stayed long enough for Brian to open up his presents (his long-awaited Z-95 Headhunter Lego set, and a Carolina Hurricanes outfit for Commander Fluffy).  Our friend Jennie stayed for awhile, and we played with Brian’s toys, and ate up the rest of the food and a lot of the remaining cake!  The day went really well, and really the only minor disaster was Kendall losing her pink balloon at the park (but her lavender one made it all the way back home!)