Very Happy Jedi's (Kyle's birthday)

Last night, all night, we hosted Kyle's birthday party.  He had chosen the theme of Star Wars and we began with the idea of watching a Star Wars movie out doors.  That turned into a sleepover which then included Jedi training.  And it all turned out good.

As per my normal mode of operation I left everything to the last 2 days to prep. Actually this time I started almost exactly 48 hours before hand, except buying a few supplies.  I had to do the cake, (thankfully it wasn't too difficult to talk him out of the Death Star cake), come up with ideas for Jedi training, make 8 Jedi robes and the figure all the other little logistical stuff (shopping, what to feed everyone etc etc).  Luck was definitely on my side.
 
There were 6 guests plus Kyle and Vika.  We began the party with a game of Vader's coming.  (Think "Captain's Coming"  but with actions like Yoda pose, Draw your lightsaber, etc.)  Each Padawan was then awarded his Jedi robe. (I did make these, starting the night before and my sewing machines have never worked so fast for so long.  That said, each robe took under an hour from start to finish. I based my pattern on this)

Then each Padawan raced through an obstacle course to prove their agility earning a (pool noodle) lightsaber.  These were an instant hit.  They then challenged their skills by using them to keep balloons off the ground and to move balloons across the yard as a group.  And they got to simply beat the snot out of one another.

Each Jedi trainee was then awarded a Nerf Star Wars blaster and then went through target shooting.

All was going well until Darth Vader appeared.  Instant pandemonium,  oops, that was already in full force, and Vader was attacked and taken to the ground.  It was a thrill to watch the young Jedi's explore their Jedi skills and love of "the force".

All enjoyed a BBQ, with the big hit being Yoda Soda, and then we sent the young Jedi's on a Seek and Find mission (AKA scavenger hunt).  Hopefully none of our neighbours were too offended by the Jedi teams knocking on the their doors and asking for items such as a miss matched sock, broken pencil, dixie cup etc. etc.

Once they returned it was time for cake.  Thanks again to my friend Kelly Conrad for helping me create another wonderful cake.  Kelly always adds so much but is especially good at the artist touches, in this case the Death Star.  She did this so well that our cat Baghera had no problem licking the frosting off the fondant during the night, so Kelly had to redo it.

By then it was dark and the Jedi's were finally showing some, a very small amount, of fatigue.  We set up the screen outside and the kids got comfy on blankets to watch Star Wars I the Phantom Menace.  About half way through they were asking to move into the tents.  The tents had been positioned so they could crawl into their sleeping bags and still see the screen.  We should probably count ourselves lucky that they were all asleep by midnight.

 

Morning came early for the young Jedi's.  They were up by 6:30 and begging to pull their weapons out.  We restricted sabers and blasters to after breakfast.  Soon after that all the Jedi's returned to their home planets.

One little detail, did you notice the cardboard centerpiece in the first picture?  That was from my 10th or 11th birthday party!  Thanks mom for saving it!

A special thanks goes out to my friend Jennifer Marsall who helped with the kids and photography.  Kelly and Chris Conrad who helped with everything from the cake to the scavenger hunt to battling with the Jedi's.  And Darth Vader thanks for making an appearance!