I'm in denial: A Pokemon Party

Jakob turned nine in January.  Yes, you read that right:  N I N E.

How is this possible?

How can I stop it?

Well, ignoring it sure doesn't work.

So, I've finally come to terms with it and am now trying to embrace this wonderful time in my son's life!  It's flying by waaaaay to fast, and as much as I hate how fast he's growing up, I ABSOLUTELY love discovering the amazing young man inside of him.

On his actual birthday, we went to Ruby's on the HB pier for dinner (minus Brad...tax season had already started!)

 

and then we sang happy birthday to him at home with a cupcake full of silly candles.  :)

  Yes, 9-yr-olds still make a mess when eating birthday cake, adorable, right?

Here are a few of his gifts...

True to form, he requested a Pokemon theme for his party.  :)

And, true to form, I whipped up an invitation in photoshop for him...  (I can't remember the last time I actually did hand-written invitations... yes, I am THAT lazy!)

We print them as 4x6 photos at Costco - super cheap and easy!  (let me know if you ever want help making invitations...it's actually really fun for me! and I'd be happy to help if you need it!)

The weekend following his birthday, we had his Pokemon Party with his friends.  I tried to be an awesome party hostess/party photographer, but we all know that isn't easy!  So, here's a few pics I was able to get...

Pin the tail on Pikachu :)

I forgot to take pics of the food before the bowls/buckets were empty!  But we did "Charmander Cheese Curls" -- Cheetos;  "Squirtle Spit" -- Capri Suns and "Jiggly Puff Jell-o" -- those little jell-o like cups with chunks of fruit inside -- usually from the Asian markets.  

We also played "Gotta Catch 'Em All!" a game where they had to search for hidden pokemon.  I just printed off like 50 different pokemon and we hid them all around our living room.  

We also played Pokemon Bingo -- it was actually fun!  I created customized bingo cards HERE.  They also have a lot of other themes, way cool...and FREE!

All in all, it was a fun birthday...and there's a good chance this is the last themed birthday party he will let me throw for him...since we only do friend parties every other year...he will be 11 the next time we have a party and I have a feeling he won't think it's very cool for his mom to plan his party anymore!  :(  But, who knows...maybe he will???  (one can hope, right?)

I love this kid more than I ever thought I was capable of loving someone.  I know for a fact that he was sent to us FIRST for a reason...and I am and will be forever grateful to the Lord for that.  He is such a kind hearted boy, and an amazing brother.  LIke I said before, I truly enjoy watching him "evolve" as he grows up!  (sorry, had to throw that pokemon term in there!)  

Now...I promise not to wait 6 months before I blog about Joshy's SEVENTH birthday, which was in May!  

Happy Tuesday!

xo, Shari