When the kids got there, they each got a laser wristband (I made them with matchboxes. I painted them green and put a red bead on the end for the "laser" and stapled elastic bands to the bottom so they could go on the wrist. They also had some toy story stickers decorating the top and some candies inside for them to eat if they needed an "energy boost") We started off with coloring pictures and we laminated them after so they could take them home as a place mat. Then we gathered all the kids together in the living room and told them that they were in training to become space rangers. Their first mission was to rescue the soldiers who were trapped in the laundry. They dove in with gusto! It was hilarious to see the clothes flying all over the place as they searched for every last soldier in there.
Next, we sent them to rescue Buzz from the mob of evil toys (we stuck buzz in a pile of toys in the corner of Katie's room). Adin found him and they came back to the living room for physical training. They did 5 push-ups, 5 sit-ups, 5 jumping jacks and 5 crossing and touching toes (not sure what this is really called).
We then had Darcy set up an obstacle course while I did a test for accuracy (I had the kids throw bean bags through a hula hoop). Then they went through the obstacle course with Darcy. As Darcy cleaned up, we did the claw game (I filled a bowl with some small plastic toys and each of the kids took some kitchen tongs to grab one out). Then we had to refuel so we sat down to eat some pizza.
While they were eating, Tracy and I hid "moon rocks" (candies wrapped in tin foil) in the living room. We then told them that we were going on a rocket to the moon and we had to get in so we gathered together and counted down from 5 to 1 and "blasted off" (lots of shaking and sound effects with this one :D). Then they each found 4 moon rocks and we had to take the rocket back to earth. I think the kids really liked the rocket! After we got back to earth they made Mr. Potato Head Balloons (I just gave them foam shape stickers so they could make faces on their balloons).
It was now time to open presents so they passed around a large moon rock to the music of "you've got a friend in me". When the music stopped, that child's present was opened. I found it less hectic doing it this way. After presents, we ate cake. I put a couple sparklers on it and one of the kids said. "Oh, pretty!" It was cute. They ate cake and then we let them do the claw game one more time and they played until their parents' came to pick them up. All in all, it was a fun time had by all (I think Darcy enjoyed training his space cadets! And they seemed to love him. They listened to him so well and did everything he said)
Here are some pictures:
The kids coloring their pictures
Dallin coloring his picture
Dallin making his Mr. Potato Head Balloon
The kids making their Mr. Potato Head Balloons
The cake I made. I did that transfer all by myself. I'm pretty impressed with it!
RC - the gift from Brett (it's remote controlled too!)
Puzzles from Kinlee
Tonka vehicles, a sticker book and a coloring book from us
Slinky-dog from Adin
And Buzz Lightyear Operation from AustinHe also got an evil Dr. Pork Chop flashlight from Brighton later. He wasn't able to make it to the party sadly.
