Backwards Birthday

William's birthday was a lot of fun. First of all, I forgot to pick up the key for the party room on base. A friend helped me scramble and procure one on the weekend. It was tough, as offices had closed because it was weekend, and they'd closed early Friday because of the typhoon. Luckily, it all turned out well, and I was glad to be inside because the last bits of the weather system came through, and it was a soaker! So, instead of spending the afternoon making cupcakes and the pinatas, I stayed up all night getting it done.
We ended up doing a 'backwards' theme. The thank you notes went out first. Then, we had the kids show up with their clothes on backwards.

We started with opening the gifts. William did it upside down, backwards, and with his feet. I even put the bow and wrapping paper on inside out. Then, it was ice cream with cake. I filled the cupcakes with the frosting (that's backwards!). We then blew out the candle, and followed with singing, "You to Birthday Happy!" William (the shortest of his group!) was concerned that the cake was so soon, and wouldn't eat any. Oh joy. A 5 year old without any food in his tummy. Next was games. It was fun pinning the donkey on the tail, and the winner was the one furthest away. We had many games, and every kid got candy each time. The balloons ended up being great fun. They din from the popping balloons was almost as loud as the boys punching each other with the gaggle of balloons. Then, at the end, instead of breaking open a pinata, each invited child (older siblings got to share) got a pinata to fill. As Tim was taking down the octopus (which 3 kids wanted, so tears were shed), the kid who got it just punched the heck out of it. It shocked Tim. I think the boy thought it was already filled.
A good time was had by all, and it just turned out to be a heck of a lot of fun with all the games we played. The very next day William started saying he wanted a random birthday party next year. After being up all night (well, not ALL night, but it was pretty late) I told him that for his 6th, it has to be the bowling party one!!! They do the set-up, gifts, activity (bowling, duh) and clean up. All I will have to do is pay the money. Now, THAT'S my kind of party!!!