Ryan's 8th Birthday - A Star Wars Sleepover Party

This year, for the first time, we attempted a sleepover party for Ryan's birthday.  I usually expect that half of the invited guests will show up, but (for the second year in a row) all of the kids were able to make it. 

Six boys. All night.

We started out with seven, but one wasn't able to spend the whole night and left after cupcakes. Some observations from our evening together...

- Boys are naturally wild.

- Many boys together are intensely wild.

- Many boys together after eating cupcakes and ice cream create the perfect storm.

- When boys get together to have light saber fights, someone is going to get hurt. In our case, it was within 60 seconds.

- Some boys are in the habit of putting the toilet seat down. Those same boys are not in the habit of flushing.

- When it smells like the heat is on and it's 110 degrees outside, check the fireplace. Because it's probably turned on.

- Attempting to get six excited boys to go to bed is harder than herding cats.
- Attempting to get six excited boys to be quiet in a dark room at bedtime is nearly impossible. (one says something, someone else shushes them, then someone burps and everyone giggles, then someone says, "Seriously, guys, I'm tired!" Then someone else says something just to annoy them...this went on for almost an hour.)

- After reminding six excited boys to not say a SINGLE WORD after 10:00 at night, someone, inevitably, will need to go up to go to the bathroom. Then another will need a drink. Then another will want a different pillow. And another needs a sheet because his blanket is too hot. Then another will decide to move his sleeping bag across the room and trip over someone in the dark. (*sigh*)
- Boys. Talk. Constantly. I thought it was only my boys, but ALL of the boys at this party talked and talked and talked. They talked to each other, they talked to me and if no one would listen a couple even talked to themselves. All the time talking!
- And a man's competitive instincts begin young: these boys were one-upping each other constantly.
- The joy that a sleepover party brings to the birthday boy is worth all of the humorous drama.

I wish I wrote down some of the conversations that I overheard, including hilarious attempts as telling jokes, but here are a couple...

Conversation #1:
(J was complaining about his little brother)
Z: "At least you have a brother. I have three sisters and I'm the only boy."
C: "Your little brother is awesome, J! You should consider yourself blessed." (awwww...but just when I was convinced that he was sticking up for family unity he added, "I have two sisters and they are SO ANNOYING!!!"
K: "My sister's annoying, too."
Another J: "Mine's too young to be annoying, but I'm sure she will be when she's bigger."

Conversation #2:
Z: "My dad has a Kindle."
J: "My dad has a Kindle Fire."
C: "We have the same t.v. as you, Ryan. It's the same size screen and even has the same remote!"
K: "My dad's iPad cost more than your t.v."
(I was waiting to hear "My dad can beat up your dad...")

Conversation #3:
Boy 1: "There once was a guy with a hairy pickle..."
(everyone giggles)
Boy 2: "That's gross!"
Ryan: (I love how naive he is) "I love pickles! I've never reached in the jar and pulled out a hairy one, though."
Boy 3: "I don't like pickles. Ew."
Boy 1: "So back to the joke.  There was a guy with a hairy pickle..."
Boy 2: "I think this joke is going to be inappropriate, we shouldn't talk about this anymore."
Boy 1: "Okay. So there once were these four toddlers..."

I looked high and low for fun Star Wars party ideas. There are TONS of amazing food options out there with fun names that you can type up on cool looking place cards. For the first time ever, I decided not to get into all of the little details that I found. I have a lot going on and I'm pretty sure these 7-9 year old kids wouldn't care.

But I saw these light saber pretzel rods and couldn't NOT make them.  The kids all had fun helping me and they disappeared quickly.

I also figured out how to make no-sew Jedi robes for the party favors and they were a big hit!

I bought 80 inches of brown fabric for each party guest.

I cut a bit off at the corner for the neck (cut a lot less than you think you'll need - you can always cut more, but I cut WAY too much on Jason's and it fell off his shoulders)

the boys tried out their Jedi moves the night before the party

Before Kaylin went to her own sleepover, she made her debut in Princess Leah hair buns.

I folded them up with their rope belts and put them in these clearance boxes from Party City.

Mike accidentally ripped one of the boxes, so we cut it up and used the characters for decoration.  Ryan decided Yoda needed to fight himself.

In fact, Ryan had a blast decorating for his own party. He put stickers everywhere and drew pictures to hang up. He cracked me up. 

I also went quick and easy on the cupcakes and used those pre-made candy toppers. Again, just as big of a hit as if I would have gone all out. With less work.

After sugaring the kids up, they got some of their energy out in the pool.

Once in their PJs, the Jedis fought each other until we forced (hahaha) them to go to bed.

In the morning, I made scrambled eggs and apple fritters, then the boys played Lego Star Wars and Mario Brothers on the Wii until their parents picked them up.

According to Ryan, this was the best birthday ever. He couldn't even pick out a favorite moment because "the whole party was his favorite." That's what I like to hear! 

For me, this was extremely relaxed. Even though there were boys everywhere, there wasn't a rushed party agenda or anything that needed to happen in a certain order. At one point, the kids were so entertained that I found myself folding laundry because I had nothing to do. I've never done laundry during a party in my life! Talk about efficiency...I guess that's what happens when it's a drop off party, there are no parents to entertain and the kids just want to be independent!