Jack requested a Mad Scientist Birthday Party this year, and since he was turning the big 5, I decided to go for it. I’ve always harbored a secret desire to have a Chuck E Cheese (aka Chuckie Cheese) birthday party, because I wouldn’t have to do anything besides spend money, and be at Chuck E Cheese, and it would have the added bonus of turning me into a pariah among the moms, but when I suggested it this year, Dave said no. I was trying to figure out how many kids to invite, so I went to the photo evidence of Luke’s 5th birthday – turns out, Luke used to have big birthday parties before Jack was born! Every year! So then I had to really try to create a fun birthday for my poor, poor, poor 5 year old, who has only had family and family friend birthday parties, lo these many years.
Onward. I hit google, and bookmarked this blog, and then copied everything she did, but with fewer kids, and a little more lazily.
For decorations we made a “pin the accessories on the mad scientist” game, and the boys made bow ties for everybody to decorate and wear. I put dry ice in glasses of water, and I made jello with gummy worms in it to look creepy. Those may actually still be in the fridge. I should look into that. Each kid got a t-shirt to wear over their clothes because I couldn’t find decent (cheap) lab coats, and they each got a pair of goggles to wear.
Lastly, we had everybody go outside to watch Dave slide a tube of mentos into a 2 liter of diet coke and have the spray reach about 18 feet in the air. Excellent work there Dave. But I am too lazy to upload the video. Trust me, it was a sight to behold.
For lunch we had the traditional birthday snake, five years in, you’d think I could make one where the cheese doesn’t slide out the side.
Jack requested the same cake as last year (Root Beer Bundt Cake) but since it was a mad scientist birthday, we added trick candles and I put dry ice in the middle. My original plan was to make a cake in the shape of an Erlenmeyer flask, but that proved to be too challenging. Still – this was a hit.
After the party, as a fine film of baking soda settled over the house, and after I cleaned and helped Jack build lego kits, I finally got a chance to put my feet up and rest. And then Luke said, “You know what we should do? We should do something really fun to celebrate Jack’s birthday.” I’m not sure what he had in mind, maybe Chuck E Cheese?
I’ll bet the other mothers are sooooooo glad you’ve raised the birthday party bar. What’s next for Luke’s birthday.
Wow. I am speechless as to that blow out party. I’ve never attend one that creative let alone thought about doing it myself! I am so glad we do not live near each other and our kids are not friends! LOL. Seriously- to say I’m impressed is understating it. Magnificent! And I love Luke’s comment at the end. Sums up my life everyday.
That party sounded like a weeks worth of lesson plans. You did me proud !
You are amazing. I know you pull stuff like that off ALL the time, but don’t have time to blog them all. I love Luke’s comment too.
Do you want to come to Philadelphia next August to host a party here? Cameron would love this!
Good work Mama! I’m the ol’ “how about we invite ONE friend to go to the Mammoth game and spend the night” kind of Mom. You make us look bad!
This reminded me of how after years of kid badgering, we finally gave in and hung lights around the house. They came home, took one look and said, “Those are boring white ones.” We parents can never win. (But man that was some party. I’m in awe.)
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