Another year, Another great party!! So hard to believe that Cole is already FOUR!! I can still vividly remember that July day years ago when he was born. My little firecracker! This year Cole wanted a Lego Police Birthday party. I dare you to Google it and TRY to find party supplies. Uh, yeah....not much luck. But, of course, this crafty Mom was up to the challenge. I just had to think (and think!) and Google and Pinterest to get the creative juices flowing and a Lego Police Birthday Party was born.
First, the invitations. I took a picture of Cole on the couch with his Lego police cars and just added text to it. I was quite happy with how it turned out.
Party invitation - obvious details blurred
Next was party decor. I did find a few Lego City items that we used. A Lego City birthday banner, a table centerpiece and a metal lunch box for the birthday boy to keep - he was thrilled! Covered the tables in blue tablecloths and then decided to tape Caution tape on them to try to mimic a crime scene.
Happy Birthday Cole-Man!!
The pizza table
The cake table
Keegan and Kaleb arrived early so the boys were excited to play with their little cousins before the madness began.
Look at those sweet boys!
Never in a million years would I have pictured my brother with a wonderful lady and two sweet twin boys.......but it's so great!!
Party goodie bags - Lego police shields with each child's name
Little inmates - crazy Mom Erin made their shirts. She's as kid-party crazy as I am!!
The weather was not very cooperative leading up to the party - lots of rain. We did however get everyone outside for a Lego Robber hunt (Grandpa C hid paper Lego robbers all over the yard). That was a hit. The kids loved running around looking for them. We also had a cardboard Jail - the original plan was that the little kids would chase the big kids, catch them and put them in jail. Well, that didn't really work out. Instead the kids just climbed in and out of the jail until there was a jailbreak.....and the jail was torn apart.....and turned into a car / truck track. Yep, mostly boys!
The big boys - Matthew, Eli and Lucas
One of the robbers hiding in the bushes
The little guys checking out the jail.
Hi Eddie!!
Running around looking for the robbers
Since it was super wet on the ground, we had a pizza picnic in the living room floor. Yes, about 20 kids having a picnic on our floor. It was crazy but it was crazy wonderful! Everyone had so much fun, ate their food and then a little more play time while we waited for our special surprise visitors.
Pizza picnic
Kids were everywhere!!
Sweet little Parker - napping away.
The wee-little inmates were getting restless.
JAILBREAK!!!
Police car, badge and #4 cookies that I made.
Former jailhouse, now cool ramp.
Fun stuff!
Grandma & Little K!
One of Cole's cupcake towers
Happy Birthday Cole-man!!!
Make a wish!
Eli kept putting icing on his nose.
And so did Matthew.
Jenny, Wyatt's Mom, sporting one of the police hats I made - each kid got one in their goodie bag.
After we had lunch and cupcakes, our special guest arrived. A policeman came with McGruff the Crime Dog. Seriously!!! A few weeks ago, I stopped in the police station (kinda nervous b/c I've never had reason to be IN a police station) and talked to them about Cole's party. I left an invitation and said if they could just drive by, stop and say hi, we would greatly appreciate it. Well, the wonderful officer, called me a few days later and said they had arranged to come with McGruff. How cool is that?! Then he called a few days before the party to confirm they were still coming. It was such a nice thing to do! So McGruff and the nice Officer came in to say hi to the kids. We talked about who the kids call when there is an emergency (911), who they look for when they need help (police officer) and how police officers are our community helpers. It was super cool to reinforce the community helper part that they study at school. Then they presented Cole with a certificate that he is officially a Junior Police Officer in our city! They then gave the kids stickers, tattoos and flying discs. They went above and beyond and were great with the kids. And I think the kids loved it too!
McGruff the Crime Dog
Hi McGruff, welcome to our house!
Presenting Cole with his certificate
My Little Junior Police Officer!
The kids loved our special guest
McGruff, Cole and our new favorite police officer
As they left, they turned on the blue lights and blasted a few sirens. It's a wild and crazy 4 year old party when the cops show up!!
After our guest left, it was down to the business of opening presents. Oh the kids were so excited. To try to maintain some semblance of order, I used the Caution tape to make a line that the kids had to stay behind. Because man oh man, do kids love presents!! It worked fairly well and Cole loved opening all of his fun gifts. What I loved was all the kids reactions to each and every present. Every present was met with cheers and raving comments. After presents, Cole gave his friends their goodie bags and thanked them for coming to celebrate.
Can I open them yet Mommy?!
The "do not cross" present opening line.
Lots of goodies
From Cole's wonderful friends
Probably Cole's favorite present of the day - Police truck from Grandma & Grandpa C
Cole and his swim buddy Harper (she's a total doll!)
We love Miss Jamyra!
Crazy boys- Cole and Will
More crazies - Cole and Evan
Eli sporting his police hat
Grandma & Grandpa C
Family birthday shot!
After the party, Cole was adamant that Daddy build his police truck. We hung out and played with Grandma & Grandpa. Grandma helped clean up from the party - she did a whole lot! - and then, after they left, true confession......I fell asleep on the couch! After two big parties, two weekends in a row, oh and working and kids.....this Momma was tired! But man, it was totally worth it. Cole loved his Lego Police Birthday Party and everyone seemed to have fun. That makes this Momma's heart happy!
Supervising Daddy's truck build
Eli being silly in the cooler - yes, it had ice and water in it
Frozen booty
Cole would only stick his toes in, not as crazy as his brother
Not sure why Eli dunked his head
He said his head was frozen....ya think?!
Sweet birthday boy
Loves his police truck
When Cole was hugging Grandpa, he kept patting him on the back. It was so cute!
Cheesy face loving on Grandma C.
