A SuperHero Party

This party has been hatching in my brain for longer than I should admit...

But the thing is, my poor kiddo had to skip a party last year when I ended up suffering that insane, unexpected arthritis and breast infection. So I figured I owed him TWICE the birthday party this year. Besides-- I've gotten so caught up in his new world of super heroes, it's like a party for me as well.

This ended up being SO VERY MUCH FUN to put together. From the food to the capes I made for the kiddos, to the photo set to just seeing all the kiddos run around and BE SUPER, it was everything I hoped for this kiddo of mine on his 4th birthday.

So.... The photos. (Only a month after the fact, ha!)

Super Snacks:

 

Super Cake:

Super POPCORN (With fruit loops added-- a last minute stroke of genius!)

 

Super streamers (and an extra clean dining room- wow!)  

My super kiddo:

The superhero supplies-- each kiddo's favorite color and initial):

The super photo set-up, with the birthday boy: 

 

His super guests--- plus one of Super Lucy (of course she gets her own cape!):  

(I kept the kid count to 8 including Noah, so that we could send the parents away and still be able to keep the crowd control. It was PERFECT!)

We served lunch--- simple fare that kids would eat: One plate of PB&J and one place of cheese sandwiches. Each kid got a bottled water and a popcorn cone, and could grab snacks from the buffet.

And for seating? Well, the FLOOR, of course! (It was actually good that we sent parents away-- less people to feed and less chairs needed. Ha!)

A little Lucy and Joe. (I am in love with the camera bib! She's hip, ya know...)

And some Lucy and Mom... (Gotta get in FRONT of the camera once in a while...)

Gifty time... Everything he got was so perfect and thoughtful for him--- Lucky kiddo, to have such sweet friends!

Cake time:

Freeplay time in the back yard. Thank HEAVEN for perfect days in November. We were able to run around outside a LOT! Their favorite activity? Knocking down the tower of "skyscrapers". Super strength and all that!

And an "after" pic of the cake I made--- Super layers and all!

This is just one white cake mix halved and dyed red and blue, then one yellow cake mix with a little extra yellow food coloring added, halved into two layers. Then my mom's buttercream frosting recipe in between layers and on top, and freebie printables on skewers as the decorations on top. Really an inexpensive little project that visually packed a punch! 

 This party was exactly what I hoped it would be--- incredibly fun for Noah, a chance for him to be in "pretend" mode 100% with other kids... A celebration of everything he is... a chance for my friends, the other parents, to get some time sans kids... A chance to make these cute kids something they will hopefully wear again and again for their own playtimes... An excuse to make pretty cake... Twice the party to make up for last year....

It was perfect. And I'll likely do FAR less next year and save up new ideas and new energy for a good, big effort like this every other year or so. But I'll probably always find an excuse to concoct a big, tall, gooey, yummy cake, even on the "off years".

:)

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A few credits:

1. Comic book bunting: free Marvel comics covers available to print from Marvel.com

2. "Hero Juice" free printable label from "Oh Happy Day", Jordan Ferney

(I used these for Joe's Father's Day gift last year, here)

3. Cake topper printables from Onecharmingparty.com

4. Popcorn cone idea from Pinterest

5. Photo set idea and sandwich cutout idea from DomesticCharm.blogspot.com

6. Cake idea from Pinterest

7. Snack label idea from Pinterest

8. Cape pattern and design - all my own