Indiana Jones, er, Thomas’ 7th Birthday!
Today was my handsome guy’s birthday party! The theme was Indiana Jones and Thomas dressed to play the part of the ruggedly handsome hero-minus the scruffy whiskers. The shirt is one of Michael’s. Thomas found the hat in the woods a few weeks ago. I made the bag-plus one like it for each of the other guests. We didn’t have any pants dark enough so I dipped some old khaki ones in some coffee, spun them out, and dried them in the drier. He smelled yummy!
Even though the party started at 10, the guests trickled in slowly. They spent the first 30 minutes in the front yard with their magnifying glasses (from the bags) looking for “clues.” In this case, bugs.
Then we started some music (via the xbox) and Thomas/Indy explained that he was on a search for stolen treasure and passed out the first clue.
The first clue led them to the “Mummy Gallery.”
There they had to wrap each other up in toilet paper to find the next clue, which was skillfully hidden INSIDE the rolls of paper. They were a little shy about it at first, but they really got going with it. Even Gloria got in on the wrapping.
The next clue told them to go to the “snake pit!” This was designed and built by Indy/Thomas himself. The snakes were also artistically placed by the little man.
The adventurers got busy finding the clues and snake wrestling.
The rolled up clues, under the snakes, told them to go to the “crocodile creek” for their next clue.
I added more leaves and debris between the above pictures and the party. At first the kids had no clue as to how to go about their task.
Soon enough, they began reaching in to feel around…
…until their fearless leader saved the day and found the first clue! (He even read most of them since he’s such an awesome reader.)
This clue sent them to “Pankot Palace Banquet”…
where they had to feel around inside some gross food to find the next clue…
…and then assemble the three pieces so they could read it!
Their final clue told them to go to the “airport hanger” where they found the treasure…
…and made short work of stashing it away in their bags.
All of this only took 20 minutes! Hours and hours of preparation and it only took 20 minutes. It was sprinkling off and on, so that made things move along faster. I was still amazed at how quickly they accomplished their mission. I guess hunting for treasure gets kids motivated.
While Michael grilled the burgers and dogs, the kids made up their own adventures out in the back.
The rain started to pour down and put a damper on that. Thankfully, the food was almost done by that time. Michael set up a card table in the kitchen, so we had 12 seats over tile for the messy kids to have lunch!
Then it was time for THE CAKE. (That I had soooooooooo much fun doing!)
We all sang “Happy Birthday” (much to Gloria’s unhappiness!)
There was NO question about it. The kids ALL wanted to eat the boulder for some reason, even after I explained that it was cake crumbs smashed into a ball shape.
It got as quiet as it ever was during this adventure after the cake was passed out!
Then the guests all went home and the four Phillips passed out themselves.
Tags: birthday, cakes, Indiana Jones, Thomas
Kid stuff, Pictures, Special events | Melissa | 
May 2, 2009 6:41 pm
By Marge/Mom/Grandma, May 2, 2009 @ 9:38 pm
It sounds like an unqualified success. What a fun birthday party.
By Gilah, May 8, 2009 @ 4:59 pm
It looks like you guys put a lot of time and effort into making his birthday party spectacular! I loved the cake and the murses!