His party was on Sunday at Torrey Park (per his request as that is his favorite park). The forecast was showing 80% chance of rain a couple days before, so we were brainstorming a Plan B, luckily however the rains held out, and we were able to celebrate at the park as planned. Remington chose a Wild Kratts party this year, which is one of his favorite shows.
We started the festivities by getting ready for his party. We spent Saturday evening preparing. Remington and Southern helped me bake Remington's cake. He had decided that he wanted a cake shaped like the Tortuga on Wild Kratts (their vehicle). While the cake was baking and then cooling, they helped me stuff the goodie bags. Each one was filled with a wildlife book, a magnifying glass, a few insect/reptile tattoos, and a couple small plastic wild animals. When the cake was cool enough to decorate, the boys helped me by deciding what color to dye the frosting (we mixed green with a little blue) and what design to pipe on the top in green frosting. We used their Tortuga toy as inspiration.
After we were done with the cake, it was time for bed. The boys went to sleep excited about the next morning.
When we woke up Sunday, we all got dressed. I pick out their clothes the night before to make for easy mornings. The boys wanted to dress up like characters in Wild Kratts, so they were happy to put on their outfits. Then we loaded the car and drove over to Wal-Mart to pick up the sandwiches, chips, oranges, bananas, and grapes. When we got to the park, we started setting up and decorating. That was not easy! It was so humid, and the tables were hard for me to move so I was a sweaty mess by the time the guests starting arriving. But it was all worth it!
We had a creature power game set up for the kids. Torrey Park has a big sidewalk that goes around the whole park, and the boys and I had taped creature power disks all along the path (I had printed them out on the computer the day before). Once a kid found a disk, they could lift up the top and read the name and description of the animal on the second paper. We also had "Bohemian golf" set up. Once everyone finished eating lunch, we did the pinata.
Remington picked out the pinata (it was a jungle scene), and he and Southern helped me stuff it on Saturday. We filled it with toy bugs. Everyone got a turn to hit the pinata with Remington going first, then going by age order, and then Remington finished it off at the end.
After the pinata, we did the cake.
The kids played with some of Remington's new toys and games for awhile. Then we all took early showers and changed into pajamas. We ended the evening by watching Aladdin together upstairs. The boys had never seen it before.
On Wednesday morning (his actual birthday), Remington woke up, put on his new custom-made Wild Kratts shirt, and came downstairs to a surprise. He had a blueberry muffin with a lit candle in it along with some chocolate milk (his favorite drink) on the table under a Happy Birthday banner. We all sang Happy Birthday to him, and then he blew out the candle. He and Dustin sat down to muffins while Southern and I ran out the door to school (Southern had his muffins during the car ride). I walked Southern into school (normally we do carline since we have Remington and Baylor in the car with us, but Dustin had taken off of work that day for Remington's birthday so it was a rare treat for Southern to have me to himself. He was full of snuggles and kisses as I walked him, and held my hand the whole way).
The plan for the day was to head over to San Antonio to the Kiddie Park. Some friends from New Braunfels were going as well, and Carly, Claire and Cora joined us too. What fun! The kids had a blast, and Baylor didn't want to leave.
After the Kiddie Park, Aunt Carly treated us to a zoo train ride. Afterward I asked Remington what he liked most - the Kiddie Park or the train, and he said he liked them both! Baylor and Remington fell asleep on the way back to New Braunfels. We picked up Southern from school and asked Remington where he wanted to go eat. We had snacked after breakfast but never really had a lunch, so this was a late lunch/early supper for us (which worked out perfectly since Southern had his Cub Scout graduation that evening). Remington was super excited to have them sing Happy Birthday to him and put the sombrero on him. (Southern also had his 5th birthday supper at Mamacita's which I didn't think about until later. So maybe that will be our new 5th birthday tradition?)
We had just about an hour at home to get ready for the Cub Scour graduation, so Remington was able to open the rest of his presents (the ones from Mommy and Daddy and a couple from friends at the Kiddie Park). He was super excited about the Wild Kratts creature costume and had to try it on right away. So fun!
Remington's 5th Birthday Interview
1. What are some things you like to do?
I like to watch Wild Kratts. I like to play with little Legos. I like to play with bubbles with Southern and Baylor. I like to play with bug toys. I like to watch Penguins of Madagascar.
2. What sports do you like?
Dodgeball and volleyball and basketball. I like to play all of them.
3. What things do you like to do around the house?
I like to play on the iPad and I like to watch stuff.
4. What are some of your favorite foods?
Cookies, muffins, chocolate bars and vanilla bars.
5. What do you like to wear?
I like to wear my Batman Lego shirt.
6. What's your favorite color?
Pink
7. Where are some of your favorite places to go?
Target to buy toys, HEB to drink some lemonade
8. What makes you sad?
Whenever Southern doesn't want to play with me
9. What do you do when you are sad?
I play on my own.
10. What makes you happy?
Playing with Baylor
11. What do you do when you are happy?
I play with the stuff that I really really like
12. Who is your best friend?
Mommy
13. What is your favorite movie and TV show?
The Pengiuns of Madagascar Holiday DVD and Lego Scooby Doo
14. What are your favorite books?
Diego and Dora and Scooby Doo
