Come to the Dark Side…There Will Be Cake {Riley’s 5th Birthday}

Riley came bounding downstairs the morning of his party at exactly 6am. He was so darned excited. I wish I had taken a picture of his face when he saw his cake for the first time; his entire face lit up in a huge smile.

Kenny and I got a few last minute things taken care of, the bounce house crew arrived to set up the waterslide, and before we knew it, the party was getting started. We snapped a few quick family pics before too many people showed up, and then Riley was off and running.

The inside of the house looked really great (if I do say so myself…..I even had the Star Wars soundtrack playing on Spotify), but the majority of the party took place outside. The kids (21 of them total!) had a blast on the waterslide. Rory may have enjoyed it the most, though. He went over and over and over and over and over again.

  

After the kids had played for about an hour, we got them all out of the pool and inside for cake. Suddenly the previously empty house was packed with family and friends. We sang to the birthday boy, he blew out his candles, and then we cut into Darth Vader. I really wanted to get a picture of all of the kids sticking their tongues out after eating that black icing, but it didn't happen. I did get one of Uncle Jeff though!

Most of the kids didn’t stay inside for long after finishing their cake. They went right back outside and onto the waterslide again. Only this time they took their lightsabers with them.

 

 

The party started breaking up shortly after we handed the lightsabers out. When most everyone had left, except for family and Claire and Colin, we let Riley open his presents. Everything he got was either Star Wars or Lego related. He was in heaven!

Oh these two.

 

 

Everyone left after presents, and Kenny and I started cleaning up a bit. Then we realized we were both starving, so we ended up going to meet Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Steve, and Zac for lunch at the Galley. I was so exhausted, but just being able to sit down, sip a cold beer, and eat some good red beans was very restoring.

We had the waterslide all day, so even though we were all tired, we went back to the house after lunch and played on it until they came to take it away. Dana brought Claire and Colin back over and they stayed until 7pm. We even bathed the kids (in their bathing suits) in the crazy hose on the driveway. So much fun.

What a day. I think Riley had a really great time, and it seemed like everyone else enjoyed themselves too. Another great birthday party in the books!