11 or 11

Well it is birthday time in our house. Birthdays are a big deal. I grew up with celebrating birthdays in a big way. And by a big way I mean dinner, cake and balloons. But every persons birthday was acknowledged. Not just the kids.

Anyways..back to today. Our little guy, or should I say medium guy, turned 11. May is tough around here weather  wise. You never know what you're gonna get. Could be warm and dry and sunny, could be cold and snowy. Or like to day sunny and cold. So I never plan for anything outdoors.

We went through the list of movies that were new and found out "Cloudy with a chance of meatballs 2" had come out. So that would be the main event. Hockey season is just a memory now, but we still all seem to be a little weary so a laid back affair was in line. He picked out his cake , thankfully an easy one. Made the invites and the party was planned!!

I still had a few surprises for him that day. I know he loves that part. Even if they are little things, he appreciates them. I just have to make sure I do the same kind of things for our little girl.

So here is how the festivities went down...

First we went out for supper as a family. Actually the night before as his party was on his actual birthday and soccer and piano recitals took up the other nights. He chose Fuddruckers! I still love that place, brings back memories of me being taken there for my birthday with my dad and mom.

Bubbling his pop 

Then we headed across the parking lot to Ruckers to play some games. 

Whack-a-mole

Bowling

Deciding on prizes...oy this took longer than actually playing the games.

It was a great family evening. 

Now here is where some of the planning and surprises start happening.

First up is cupcakes for his school class

So staying in line with the  Movie choice, I made spaghetti and meatball cupcakes. 

Here is the breakdown of the cupcakes, they really are kinda easy to assmeble.

Raspberry cupcake, buttercream icing( just add a slight amount of cocoa to the icing to make it look the color of pasta), Forerro Rocher chocolates topped with raspberry jello/pie filling. Most recipes call for jam on top, but my boy doesn't really like jam.

These cupcakes were surprise #1.

Surprise #2 was Me standing at the end of the driveway when the bus pulled up after school with a handful of balloons and a Happy Birthday sign. Balloons. I tell ya...they are a must for party at our house. Everyone waiting for the bus gave out a honk. It was awesome!

Okay, the party...Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2

Spray on shoes...or silly string with a new label

These were surprise #3

Coke bottles with a custom logo and a marshmellow on top( if you've seen the movie you get the marshmellow and the spray on shoes). And coke can looking tumblers. With a take out bag.

VIP passes for the guests

Birthday boy and his balloons. 

Notice the Jets napkins

Mound-o-spaghetti...and grape crush.

The Kit Kat cake...oh so easy! 

Chocolate cake mix, with a filling, chocolate whipping cream on the outside of the cake, surrounded by 40 Kit Kat bar pieces, tied with a ribbon and then piled smarties on top. Lit with 11 candles.

There really are only 3 things kids need for a great party... cake, balloons and friends. 

I know I have said this before, it doesn't take much to make them feel special. And every single person deserves to feel special on their birthday, because the day you were born is an important event!

So here is to my cool guy who is now 11 or 11(he's excited that it is the same number backwards and forwards) . I can tell you I'm not looking forward to 44, that's for sure.