Tyler's 1st birthday party ever

I am not good at celebration holidays and birthdays.  So yes... Tyler just turned 7 and had his first ever party.  Wow.  It was so fun. I was so excited for it. The planning and time to prep for it was unbelievable.  but it was still exciting.  

The theme: Spy Animal Rescue 

They needed disguises. 

The party started with making a spy glass (toilet paper roll) and a goodie bag. 

When all 18 kids were there... 18.... wow... 

(it never would have worked unless I had Darren. He was great)

But when they were all there we sat down for Spy school.  (yes the teacher in me came out)

They were going to have to pass some tests... observation, listening, sneaking, physical, and a final test. 

Each time they passed a test they could rescue a poor animal and take it to the animal rescue center. 

First get code names.

one jar had adjectives in it, the other nouns

Tyler's spy name for the party was "White Glove"

They got their mustaches and sunglasses with funny eyebrows and headed outside.  

Picture time as spies!

First test:  Observation. 

Objects on tray, take some away and as a group they had to figure out what was gone. 

The animals were slowly all rescued through out the whole party

They had to decode clues between each activity.  

This one was in font so small you couldn't read it.  Also in spanish.  

So they used their magnifying glasses to help. 

This was my favorite photo... Sid is a little too young to read, 

but he was determined to be like a big kid.  

He was really studying those words.  

Then off to the next skill test. 

One group was inside doing a physical test.  The laser beam challenge.  

Super fun.  and it got harder and harder

Darren was outside doing the obstacle course. 

Then they all played an I spy game at the table. 

The last clue was a mirror image code.  

They had to get outside and find five clocks. when they found all five they could read the clue on the back. There was a bomb in the backyard they had to deactivate. 

yes... it was in its former life ... a cute orange pumpkin piñata sold at Walmart for Halloween! 

Now it was a BOMB!

So all in all... the party was  a huge success.  

Why was I so happy... because this cute boy was so happy!

I told him when he is 10 he can have another one!

Here a couple pictures I loved!

And I am adding my itenerary so I wont ever forget... that was a lot of work!

Most of the ideas were from others blogs on line. So I just copied them here...

1. Make  homemade binoculars in the piano room. http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/toystomake/a/blbinocr.htm

Make brown bags with names on them at the kitchen counter

1. Do I spy puzzle on floor
2. take a picture

2. Next we chose our spy code names.  nouns in one jar and adjectives in another.  
1.  NAME TAGS- markers
1. A=1, B=2
2. Green and Yellow group- go to Kitchen table 7, 18,
3. Purple and Blue Group- outside on patio 16, 21

3. TEST OBSERVATION SKILLS- Put out several objects on a tray, let them study it for a few minutes, then had them close their eyes while I took 3 or 4 away.  They then would try and write down what was taken.  Each time I added new things.  We played for 4 or 5 rounds.  
1. paper on table outside with crayons
1. In EASTER EGGS
2. Green and Blue Group- move to the garden box
3. Purple and Yellow Group- move to the shed
4. Earn one animal each time they do it right

4. TEST SNEAKING AND LISTENING SKILLS- "guard dog".  One child sits with their eyes closed and their back turned to the rest of the group. We put an object behind them that they were protecting.  Then the chosen super spy would try to sneak up as quietly as possible and grab the item.  The guard dog had one chance to spin around and catch them, so they couldn't repeatedly turn around to try and catch the spy.
1. Printed very small - need magnifying glass
2. Green and Purple Group- upstairs for the laser challenge
3. Yellow and Blue Group- go outside for laser challenge
1. Earn one animal each time they rescue an animal successfully

5. TEST OF YOUR PHYSICAL SKILLS - Laser beam challenge.  Start with just 3 laser beams, and after the whole line had a turn, I added more.  By the end the hall was covered in streamers and it was very difficult to get through.  
1. Earn three or four animals if team is successful

6. TEST OF YOUR PHYSICAL SKILLS- Obstacle Course-
1. walking on balance beams;
2. carrying an egg on a spoon or balloon between knees
3. pressing Tyler’s water gun into the ground & spinning around it three times
4. crawl/roll under a hammock
5. Climb up rock wall
6. Spiderman tunnel and fortress
7. nerf gun practice
1. Earn three or four animals if team is successful

7. I spy with my little eye search- Do until both groups are finished on back patio.
1. also can work on puzzle
1. http://www.upsidedowntext.com

    8.   The Bomb Squad  -- all of the guests  -- find five clocks in front yard

    9.   end of scavenger hunt get pinata
http://crackofdawncrafts.blogspot.com/2011/06/spy-party-make-pull-string-bomb-pinata.html