When the boys got here, we gave them their dog tags, assigned them to alpha and bravo teams, and painted the faces of those who were interested in camouflage makeup.

Then Chris lined them up and put them through some ceremonial drills.

Then they went on a road march.  That speck is actually boys.

Of course, we can’t do a party without the obstacle course.  It has become a tradition. 

They had to swing across

Walk across a low balance beam and high scaffold then army crawl under the “barbed string”

Through the “jungle”, beat up the “bad guy”, and then up the ladder

Down the slide and under the deck to safety.  (or in this case, silliness)

We let the boys all have a dry run before we set out the “mines” (water balloons) 

After blindfolding them and having them help each other through a minefield, we turned them loose on each other with about 150 water balloons and squirt guns.  Our cameras aren’t waterproof so there aren’t any pictures of that.  Needless to say, the boys had much fun and got plenty wet and dirty in the process.

I let them play “carry the wounded soldier” for a little bit to help them unwind before being asked to be civilized long enough for cake and cheese puffs.  (Thomas requested the cheese puffs.)

I’m going to go a bit on a tangent for a moment and share about the cake.  Thomas requested that I make the batter camouflage, so I mixed it up in 4 different colors and plopped it into the cake pan.  Here’s what the cake looked like when it was mostly done, but before I added the detail work.

And after (Michael said “wow” enough times to make me feel good about all the time I put into it.)

The guests seemed to get a big kick out of it (even though the cheese puffs tried to steal the scene)

Thomas blew the candles out and the cake was history.

There was a quick exchange of gifts before the boys got busy with their water guns again.  They picked up goodie bags and their certificate promoting them from recruit to private on the way out the door.  They all left wet and worn out.  Most of them complained that they had to go home, so I’m assuming they were having fun.  I got a kick out of all the water wars.  Too bad I missed getting those pictures though.

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.

First, “the cake.”  I did the baking and frosting, Mom did most of the decorating, and Michael artistically placed the fairies and candles.

The princess was NOT happy about us singing “Happy Birthday” to her-at all.

But she did like blowing out her candles!

And EATING the cake

And playing with her brother

Then Daniel got really, really tired…and passed out on Cousin Gilah.

The expression on Gilah’s face is just priceless here.  And I love how all the colors (hair and skin tone) all just go together.

Then the gift opening began!  Gloria actually got the idea this time.

Hmmmm…What’s this?

It’s Dora!

A camera!

Dishes?  Gee, thanks, Mommy.

Another camera.  This one says “You’re beautiful!”

“Big Tinkerbell!”

“Open it, Daddy!  Open it right now!”

An absolutely gorgeous smile from Daddy.  (That’s the smile I see a lot, but can’t get on camera!)

Daddy demonstrates how to love on a doll.

But Gloria wanted to look at her instead.  “No hug Tinkerbell.”

Meanwhile, Thomas opens his OWN presents

Hmm.  This looks pretty cool.

A transformer!

Then Michael told Thomas he needed some help finding something outside.

He found it!

He was a little intimidated by the idea of the hills in our neighborhood, so Michael stuck right next to him to give him confidence.

He promised he wouldn’t let go, and he didn’t!

We had much fun.  NEXT week, we will have MORE!