Wild Kratts Party

I have managed to avoid character parties for 6 years. If I had to break my streak, I'm glad to break it with the Kratt brothers. This is a wonderfully educational show. The kids learn so much about animals when they watch these episodes, and it is something they both love, so that became the perfect party for them this year.

Labor Day weekend fell right in between both birthdays. It made it an easy decision to have a joint party and we were excited my parents and sister could come because of the three day weekend. Heather was an extra amazing sister and even cut a watermelon shark for us! (She also took most of these pictures!) It was probably the most stress free morning of a party I have ever had. She was in charge of the watermelon and we ordered the cake. After looking on pinterest at the Wild Kratt cake ideas, I realized they were beyond my ability. We found a mom in town who bakes them and I really enjoyed not worrying about the cake for the party!

I also loved how many free printables there were for this party. It just took a lot of cutting, laminating and cutting, but it made it very inexpensive and easy to decorate! Their friends loved having creature power suits for their take-home gifts. :) (For those of you who have never seen the show - the Kratt brothers have special vests and then they put a creature power disc, made specifically for each animal, in the vest, touch the animal and become a version of that animal...with their faces still normal. Yes, I know it sounds weird, but its great!!!)

The popcorn bar may become a tradition!
It was such a hit last year we decided to do it again, and scrap paper made it so cute!

As each child came in, they got their power suit on. Then they could build a beaver dam using pretzels and peanut butter as well as play the peregrine falcon game and catch pray.

Then we headed to the back yard for a couple more animal games. They played cheetah tag (they had to pull the tail off, no pics but included the one you can see Morgan's crepe paper tail) and then jumped like a kangaroo.  I would have loved to have done a few more, but it was too hot!

Great Group Of Kids From Great Friends
From Back Left: Morgan, Lorelei, Macie, Peyton, Aubrey
Front: Kyle, Makin, Kaitlyn and Haley

(No Makin did not knock out Kaitlyn, not sure how based on that picture!)

Then came opening gifts and cake.

Look at Makin in the top left picture...he is eating the elephant head and didn't even want cake after eating about half of it!
Blue frosting tongues. ;)
Loved Lorelei's reactions to gifts, always full of enthusiasm (as she should be!) but loved this one especially.

Loved having friends and family there who all love our kiddos. It was a wonderful time!

A few more weekend outtakes from my family visiting... :)

Fun With Aunt Heather

I planned the party at the same time as the first Husker game...
so they watched it on ESPN through the internet after the party was over. :)

Coloring Time With Nana

Showing Off Their Swim Skills and Trying Out Their New Snorkles

Loved having you Mom, Dad and Heather!!!