Happy Birthday Wyatt

Let me start off by saying this was my very first kid birthday party, and may very well be my last :)

I have been reminded however, that it's all about the birthday boy and his fabulous memories ( no matter how wild) of his birthday party.

Wyatt did NOT want to turn 4! He thought it was a scary thing, and when I introduced the idea of a party he said "No Thank you." After some persuasion we got ourselves organized and planned his very first friend party. We invited his primary class, and then a few extra friends that he spends the most time with. We had a fabulous turn out- and for those friends who couldn't come- we missed you, but didn't. :)

I planned the party around Wyatt. He loves dinosaurs (this was his third consecutive dinosaur party) and he loves crafts. So my mom and I went around the dollar stores in the city looking for these plaster dinosaur molds that you make into magnets or pins. Good idea in concept- CRAZY idea for a party with 12- 3 and 4 year olds!!! Lesson 1 learned :) Luckily I had extra hands to help with the mixing, pouring, placing.... adults did it all actually.
When we set them aside to dry, we played a couple games. My dear friend SH is a MASTER party planner and the most creative person I know. So, even though we missed her and her daughter at the party, she had given me these FABULOUS ideas for something new to add to our dino party. This picture above is me trying to explain the rules to "musical dino feet". They each got a dinosaur footprint, and were to dance around to the music, and when the music stopped jump onto a foot and whoever didn't get a foot was out- sounds familiar right? sounds pretty simple right? Not so much!!! They just stood on top of their own dinosaur foot, and when I tried to take one away I was met with disappointment and confusion.
The last game we played was a HIT!!! But still crazy. I hosted the party at the church, as we are not in our house yet and needed a little bit more room. The church was perfect, but maybe a little too much room. We played what time is it Mister/Miss Dinosaur. It went well, as we took turns being the dinosaur, and the rest of the kids LOVED running away screaming when it was 'lunchtime'. It was just a big gym, A LOT of loud screaming, and A LOT of kids that didn't want to re-convene for another round. It was still fun! Next time I'll bring my whistle. (if there is a next time :) )
I simplified the cake and had dinosaur green cupcakes with a little dinosaur figurine on top. Easy!

After cake we finished our craft by painting, and then played a few more rounds of Mr. Dinosaur until the parents came.

Wyatt was spoiled by all his little friends, and I think they all had a good time. I think it was hard to have all these little ones and feel very out of control. When I teach I feel like I can handle a lot more kids, but it's different- more structured and a few years older. After the party was over and cleaned up I could have slept for days.

My Mother in Law says a good rule is you can have as many friends as the age you are turning. Next year I may try that :)

HUGE thanks to my husband, parents, sister and some parent helpers that stayed. I could NOT have done it without you!!!