Monsters Inc. Birthday Party!

When we were in NJ back in June, we had our kids little combined birthday party. We did it right after Mary Kate's bridal shower--and at Oma and Opa's pool. It was a nice day for a party, and we kept it nice and low key! A couple weeks before the party, I asked them if they could come up with a combined theme that they both liked. They looked through an Oriental Trading magazine and they immediately picked Monsters Inc. Perfect for our little "monsters." :) 

The little favors -- tablets and pencils from Monster University! 

So glad to celebrate 4 and 6 with their cousins and the rest of the family! 

Carter/Addison birthday celebration!

Even though Addison's birthday is not until June 13, we decided to do a little combined birthday celebration for the kids last night. We were having an impossible time finding a weekend for a normal party we'd throw, so we opted for a small friend celebration! We are doing a little party for the kids in NJ closer to Addison's birthday in June, so it felt right to do this one closer to Carter's birthday (and it actually fell ON his actual birthday because Friday worked in everyone's calendars!!). 

We let them each pick two friends to go to Build-a-Bear Workshop and Dairy Queen after. Carter picked his best friend from his kindergarten class (James) and one of his old friends from daycare and a current best friend at kindergarten and his after school program (Austin). Addison picked two friends from her class at school (Alayna and Cassidy). 

They each got to pick a bear and clothing for it. Since it was an actual party, they had their own "guide" who played games with them, too. Carter and Addison also got cute "extras" for being the birthday kids! 

(to say they were excited is a MASSIVE understatement!)

One of the little boys wasn't there yet but they were happily posing for pics, and I wasn't going to miss the opportunity to snap this one!

Best buds! :) 

The heart ceremony -- making wishes, rubbing the heart on their heads (for smarts), bellies (so they're never hungry), kisses (so they know they are loved), etc.

Getting all sewn up!

Time for baths! 

They had so much fun and it was an effortless party--we showed up, had a blast, paid, and left! No set-up or clean-up (AMAZING). We then went to the Food Court for Dairy Queen...blizzards all around! :) They handed out favors to their friends and that was that...a perfect combined birthday celebration!

Carter's bowling party

This past weekend, Carter celebrated his 5th birthday with his friends from pre-school. His family birthday party is in June with Addison's, but this one was at a local bowling alley. His birthday was a few days before his party. He opened his gifts from mommy and daddy! He got a board game, some TMNT figurines and vehicles, a rocket launcher, legos and a couple other little things! :)

On Saturday, he was ready to head to his party! Before the party, he had a baseball game and the game of a friend so he had been moving all day! (We also had a picnic after his party too! Busy day!)

The simple set up at each setting. I made the swords out of the jumbo paint stir sticks, paint and electrical tape.

His cupcakes were vanilla and chocolate--as requested by the birthday boy--with yummy buttercream and TMNT rings (a hit with the kids!).

Time to blow out the candle!! 

They had such a blast bowling. There were 6 kids per lane so things were definitely lively. :) 

Part of the gang! 

He had such a blast -- I love seeing him so happy and excited. And, it was by far the easiest party I've ever thrown. Wrap up the disposable stuff and toss it, pay the bill and head out (with someone else cleaning up the mess...my kind of party).