Who am I to say no to this face?
Especially when he is a war hero…
As you can imagine, my little guy requested a very special birthday party in celebration of turning four. We told him that we didn’t plan a big birthday party for him this year (we usually do a ‘friend’ birthday party every other year and a small family party on the other years) but he asked over and over. Since it was a last minute decision to throw a bash, we didn’t really have time to send out real invites like we usually do so we sent out an evite to his friends and family and crossed our fingers that someone would show.
Will decided that he wanted a Superman party….and Superman means superhero to all of you that don’t speak ‘four’. It actually includes Superman himself…but also Spiderman, Iron Man, the Hulk, Captain America and Batman. And any other costumed figure that could be heroic…or evil. It is basically like asking for Coke in the south….you could basically be doing the Dew or drinking the real thing. You never know.
The party was just two weeks after LJ was born so I put pretty much all kid activities in the hands of Jeremy. We had grand plans to do a “HERO TRAINING CAMP” with a grand finale of water-ballooning a very evil villain but in the end, Jeremy convinced me that we should take the easy road and just rent a bounce house.
I thought it would be a small one. Jer had other plans.
It was a huge wet slide that you hooked your hose up to and the way we had it angled in the yard, it created a splash pool at the bottom.
The kids obviously hated it.
It was right after church on a Sunday so we served a late lunch. I love seeing the kiddos around the giant table down on the patio. It really has served us well during big parties. I honestly think it’s one of our most useful builds.
When it came to decorations for the party, I wanted to keep it super simple. I decided that I would create a streamer wall…which would have been a great idea but there was a slight breeze that day which thwarted my plans. Those cupcakes never stood a chance.
We served chips and hero sandwiches and pizza. I had also prepared plates of finger foods like cheese and crackers and deli meats as well as twelve quarts of strawberries that never got served…because I was apparently sleepwalking. Seriously…sleep deprivation is real and new moms should have personal chaperones so that they don’t attempt to drive heavy machinery. Because every new mom wants to drive a front loader after giving birth to their own front loader 🙂
Thank goodness the whole super hero thing is popular these days because all the stuff we used was easy to find. The plates and the cupcakes were from Walmart…as well as the favors.
I used a few of Will’s toys as table décor…because what is a hero sandwich unless there is an actual hero nearby, right?!
The favors were little cups from Walmart filled with candy and temporary tattoos. I thought about getting the kids real tattoos but ya know…that could have been weird later when they outgrow their fascination with Dora and monster trucks.
Even though it was a fairly simple party (if you call taping ten thousand pieces of streamer to a wall simple), it was very fun. I loved the low key-ness of it all. In fact, I told Jeremy afterward that I think I learned a few party-planning lessons….like kids will find a way to amuse themselves…and they don’t NEED a hundred theme-centered, parent orchestrated games to keep them occupied. At least not when there are inflatables available.
And Will loved it too. He even told us later that he was gonna have another birthday party next week.
Oh and the presents? They were pretty awesome. He got so many that we returned the duplicates and he got to go shopping with his own ‘money card’ and it was like a birthday all over again.
Oh and did I mention that his present from Mommy and Daddy and Weston and LJ were a bunch of superhero costumes? Yeah. He and his neighborhood buddies all dressed up later for a mini photo shoot and it was one of the most hilarious things ever. The sound effects were my favorite part. They would have scared even the most evil villain away…or maybe a squirrel or two 🙂
Now my little guy is officially four. It seems like just yesterday that we were hosting his first birthday party. My how time flies….just like Superman 🙂
Looks like they had a fabulous and ‘super’ time!
Liz @ http://www.shoppingmycloset.com
Kudos to you and Jeremy for pulling this off so close to LJ’s arrival! And tell Jeremy my birthday is in April and he’s in charge of getting my bounce house! That thing looks amazing!! Will and his buddies look like they had a blast and I can’t wait to see pics from “next week’s” birthday party. 😉
So cute! We will be having a girly superhero 4th birthday party this weekend!
Ohhh, to be 4 again 😀 Looks like you had some pretty happy campers on your hands!! Happy birthday, Will!
What a great little boy birthday! You are blowing me away with all you are doing so soon after having a baby! I think I know where Will gets his super powers 🙂
“Those cupcakes never stood a chance” because you all ate them instantly right?!?!?! It looks like everyone had a great time.
http://jax-and-jewels.blogspot.com
Wow 4!! Such a cute and low-key party. We have already planned to do a bounce house for my son’s 4th b-day in July and so glad to know that nothing else extra (as far as activities for the kids) will be needed. Trying to keep it low-key over here too!
This looks like a party my son would love! Where did you find the superhero costumes?
Super cute party, KB. They look like they had tons of fun. I actually just ordered a printable for my boys’ room that reminded me of Will’s party https://www.etsy.com/listing/189336071/sometimes-being-a-brother-is-better-than?ref=shop_home_active_2
I think we might be having a “Superman Party” in the near future!
I love superhero parties. You did a wonderful job!!!
That looks like such a fun 4yo birthday party!!! I love the waterslide bouncy house feature! Must look for that when my oldest turns 5 in September! Its still really hot here during the day in September, so that would totally be fun!! Thanks for the idea!!
Where did you find the costumes? We totally need those!
So fun! I cannot wait for you to bring that last photo out again in about… oh… 20-something years for his wedding. That is embarrassing-your-grownup-kid gold!
If there had been a Wonder Woman costume I would have stopped by with my invisible plane and lasso of truth. And I am totally have that inflatable slide for my 48th birthday this year, just sayin’.
Seriously, those superhero costumes are awesome. Great idea.
That last picture? my heart exploded. Adorable!! That’s going to priceless when he/their older.
Perfect kid party! They will remember having fun with friends, the bouncy house, etc. They won’t remember if Mommy stayed up all night making perfectly coordinated decorations or baking organic cupcakes. This is something I constantly have to remind myself!
You crack me up! My 3yo just had a “Barbie” party which really meant “princess” to include all pretty girls.
Love the party! Looks like everyone had a wonderful time!! Great reminder to keep things simple and that kids will always find fun ways to entertain themselves! I need to keep this in mind for my son’s upcoming 4th bday party which will be a couple months after my second is born! Thanks as always for such great ideas!! =)
I got the Spiderman costume at Costco last summer (it was his Halloween costume) and the Wolverine costume I got at Walmart after Halloween (it was $2) and the rest I got on Zulily 🙂
xo – kb
I’ve been stockpiling them since last year – the Spiderman is from Costco, the Wolverine was from Walmart (after Halloween sale for $2!!!) and the rest were from Zulily 🙂
xo – kb
Katie, I love this! The simplicity of it, but all the cute little details made it just perfect!
Love the Party! I live in Georgia too, who did you rent the wet slide from? Did you get a good deal? My son wants one for his birthday too and there are so many companies to choose from.
So cute! Love all the simple and cute ideas you added to keep the theme going!
This looks like one of our parties growing up. Water, pizza and sweets. Can’t go wrong!
My little super girl is turning 4 in November and I am so glad to see your post! I’ll be gearing up soon enough and the bounce house is at the top of my daughter’s wish list. That, and unicorns for some reason. Anyways, hoping you and others may offer up your opinions on opening gifts in front of their friends. I have noticed that NOBODY does it in our small town. I grew up ripping into gifts and playing with them with everyone. I feel a little slighted for my daughter who really helped pick out a gift for her friends that didn’t even open them in front of her. Plus, its a lesson on giving thanks at an early age. Is it like this everywhere??
Super cute party! But I gotta be honest- it drives me crazy when bloggers say a party was thrown together, last minute, low-key, etc and then it’s freaking perfect. Themed plates, food, decorations….
As awesome as your plans were, I dont think it couldve been better for them! A 4 year old boy couldnt ask for anything better- it looks like they had a ton of fun!
Less is more!! I hate overdone parties with too many food options etc… and events (and I’m from the south). 🙂
I love the food /desserts and decos! No matter what desserts I have when we have people over- cookies (usually Choco chip) always end up being the winner!!
We always opened presents growing up but we have been to parties where they don’t (I guess it could be awkward with a very honest and outspoken preschooler) and where they do it first (so all the kids play with the toys throughout the party). I think it’s up to you!
xo – kb
We got it from Affordable Moonwalk. It was a last minute decision so we didn’t really shop around like we would have if we had weeks to prepare or wait for a groupon…but it still seemed like a good deal from what we have heard from friends. Here is the link.
xo – kb
Cute post! Looks like a fun party!!
Congratz on the great bday party! There should be an award or sth for organizing birthday parties with a newborn… Everything looks great, and will had the most adoringly smile on, so no question it was a success!
All the best for your family.
Wow, that is much better pricing than I have seen. Thanks so much!
i love the streamer wall (even with uncooperative wind…) how did you attach the streamers at the top so it doesn’t look messy?
I just taped them directly above the window. It acted like a straight guideline!
xo – kb
Hey Katie! I was thinking about doing a super hero themed party for my son, Jack (also turning 4) this December, but unfortunately, my husband was just laid off last week. Do you have any ideas on how to save money and do a smaller close family party? Unfortunately, my mother-in-law isn’t thrilled and thinks we should go all out, but we really shouldn’t/can’t. It is stressful, but we want him to enjoy himself. Any tips would be appreciated
Thank you!
Melissa
Save that moolah! Now is the time to go buy costumes because they are all 90% off! And the kid just needs one…and most kids are perfectly happy with cheap and free stuff…aka having a villain dress up and attacking him with water balloons…or doing a superhero training course where they need to jump, crawl and climb! I love parties where most of the activities are ENERGY burners especially for Will and most kids only need a little face paint or a temporary tattoo to feel like they just had the best time ever.
xo – kb