Lego Mania!

We finally had Braden's birthday party this past weekend. Morgan had been away for work on Braden's actual birthday, so we decided to wait until he was home to do the party. Every Saturday after that was filled with soccer activities, scout activities, other birthday parties we had been invited to, or family trips out of town. But finally, a month and a half later, we had the big party.

We decided this year to have a Lego party. Braden LOVES Legos! Lately, when he isn't at school, he occupies himself with either Legos or reading. When he receives a new Lego set, we know we won't see him emerge from his room until it is put together. When he is finished, he comes out and proudly displays his new creation for all to see. So it was only natural that his party this year would center around his favorite toy!

When the guests arrived, I had them sort Legos by color at the Building Station -- a long table we had set up. I had bought a big box of about 800 pieces on Amazon. After they all arrived, we had Lego pizzas and veggies and dip for lunch. I had bought some pre-made pizza crusts, and cut them into rectangles. Then I placed the pepperoni on the cheese to look like the "dots" on a lego.

After lunch, we played a lego relay race. The object of the race was to build the tallest tower. They liked this game, but were very excited to start building, so we moved on to that next. I let them create whatever they wanted from the Legos at the building station. They were all so creative. Their creations were part of their goody bags at the end.

After building, they went on a treasure hunt for their treat bags. I had gotten some Lego bags at LegoLand on our family trip last month, and filled them with candy, Star Wars colored pencils and pens, and some neat Lego magnets that I also found at LegoLand. They had so much fun following the clues through the house, into the backyard, and finally to their treats in the playhouse.We then had cake and ice cream. I made the cake as usual. I always make their cakes, and despite the fact that one of my Mom's best friends when I was growing up was a professinal cake decorator, and she taught me how to make really great cakes, I just don't seem to have the knack for cake decorating. But I can't bring myself to buy their cakes. I just have too much fun getting into the whole theme. I also don't want to pay half of the party budget on a cake, when I can use that money on fun favors and hats. But most of all, it is a labor of love. They love my cakes, and that makes me happy. This cake was just a simple rectangle with eight cupcakes on top to look like a Lego brick. I piped "Lego" on each cupcake, and it turned out pretty well.The kids all seemed to have a good time, and I was so happy after the party when Braden told me how much fun he had. I love planning parties for my kids. I don't know what it is, but the whole process makes me so happy. I love brainstorming with them when their birthday is still a few months away, and then spending those months looking for everything to do with their chosen theme. But most of all, I love to see the look of joy on their faces as we celebrate their lives.