When we started discussing Colin's sixth birthday, (SIX!? when did that happen by the way?) there was absolutely no question, he wanted a secret spy party. Incase you didn't already know, when Colin grows up he is going to become a secret spy or a secret ninja we're clearly still working out the details at this point. But that's down the road when he turns 10, for now we decided a spy training party would be the most fun.
Like any good mom, I waited till the last minute to plan the party, actually panicking while on vacation in Mexico that I'd totally forgotten about invitations and found these on etsy, naturally and was able to order them while away despite the spotty service.
Grandpa and Grandma manned the laser training. The picture doesn't do the amount of time that went into this activity justice. Needless to say it fell about three times before we could get it built for the party and I'm sure it would have collapsed any moment were it not for Grandma and Grandpa. However, the kids loved it, none were injured and no one from OSHA showed up to shut us down so its a win in my book.
This seems like as good a time as any to mention I might have gone a wee bit overboard on planning activities that also required adult supervision to oversee with out actually planning on anyone other than myself to oversee them. Thankfully Namma, Grandma & Grandpa and several of my friends were willing to take on any role I desperately threw at them as long as I provided wine. I'm nothing if not a pusher of libations so it all worked out.
Unfortunately the forecasted rain meant we had to move the party in doors thus canceling the (water gun) firing range training and replace it with pin the "top secret" sticker on the target. I definitely thought that would be the weak link but who knew the power of a teeny gold star sticker?! For each activity they accomplished they got a gold star. Here's is a pro-tip, kids will do absolutely anything you want for nearly as long as you want as long as there is a gold star sticker at the end as a reward. I immediately went out and bought 2 more packs of gold star stickers for our house but that's another story.
The one training activity I thought would be the most fun and time consuming ended up being a bust. Not because the kids didn't love searching amongst a sea of inflatable beach balls to find the one marked with their secret agent number, that was the engaging part, no what I failed to foresee was that a group of boys would then use said beach balls to pummel each other. *sigh* When will I learn?
Speaking of secret agent identification numbers, the badges and gift bags turned out pretty well, if I do say so myself, mostly thanks to Namma's help at the "registration" table! Each kid was fingerprinted and given an id badge along with a secret spy name and number they used through out the party. At the end, they each got a certificate of graduation from spy training as well as a mission accomplished bag of spy goodies. This was the most fun putting together. I found the lie detector cards at the International Spy Museum's online gift shop. The mustaches, faux wayfarer sunglasses, secret spy pens and glow sticks all came from Amazon, prime of course. God bless Amazon Prime and their overnight shipping but I could do a whole post on my love for them.
And no birthday is complete at our house without dinner at Los Tios, a sombrero and singing wait staff. This year was no different.
Well that was much wordier than I'd planned but I hope you enjoyed some of the pictures. It feels like Colin has grown 5 inches this summer and is immeasurably older acting and speaking. I can hardly believe it.
Cheers,
Mamma Toad & Frog
