Friday afternoon, Rose helped me set up. First we drove to Little Caesar's to pick up five $5 pizzas. The spring weather was just right for a front porch party, so we set up our folding tables outside, hung the birthday banner on the front window, and then hung the pinata from our rope swing in the front yard. I made the pinata back in February before those cursed blizzards forced us to postpone the party. It looked kind of silly, but it was so nice having a well-hung pinata for once.
For the pinata: I filled a paper grocery bag with treats, then put that bag into another paper grocery bag with rope tied around it. Then I wrapped that whole bundle in some pink wrapping paper and made it look like a birthday present. It was the fastest, easiest, cheapest, favorite pinata I've ever made! The best part was that it WORKED like a charm. Each kid got two turns whacking at it before we removed the blindfold and let them really go to town. Within a few more swings, it burst open just like a pinata is supposed to. No more of those thick cardboard store bought pinatas for us! Paper bag pinatas are winners.
When the guests started arriving, we had them write their names and decorate paper lunch bags to hold their pinata loot. Then the kids jumped on the trampoline, busted the pinata, ate pizza, jumped on the trampoline, sang happy birthday and ate brownies and ice cream, jumped on the trampoline, Rose opened presents, and everyone jumped on the trampoline some more. Then the 90 minutes were up and the party was over. We had everything all cleaned up before 7:30pm. BEST birthday party ever.
Waiting for her guests to come. I was silently hoping at least two kids would remember about the party. Thankfully five came.
Ramshackle pinata-rig
Jay and his next door buddy Ian dressed up in armor and planned to prowl and guard the party, then swoop in a take the pinata candy. I told them they could just come and be part of the party instead and they shed their armor quickly.
I got creative for the pinata blindfold. My goal was to make this party as smooth and streamlined-easy as possible. It worked. Self-blindfold sunglasses were a last minute genius addition. Some kids peeked around the edges of the taped-on paper, but blindfolds rarely cover every single speck of light and it was just a pinata--a little peeking was not a big deal.
Jeff rode his bike into the driveway about 15 minutes into the party and manned the pinata like a pro.
The pinata explosion free-for-all is always a hilarious tangle of kids.
Pizza Pizza!
Rose has officially officially fully celebrated her 8th birthday.
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