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Inspired

Matthew turned 6 on April 21st!  

The day after Easter.

So...we had his friend and family parties the weekend after his birthday this year.  I don't think the kids mind it at all when their birthdays are spread over a week.

Matthew's birthday party theme was inspired by his great desire to have a cowboy hat and boots.  He wanted a Cowboy Party!  I was pretty excited about that!  I started looking online for ideas right away!

 

Here is what I found for cupcakes...tweaked just a bit.  The edible cowboy hats I found were Pringles with gumdrops on top, but I wanted brown cowboy hats.  Carrie and I dipped Pringles in chocolate and then plopped a Rolo candy on top.  If you have never had potato chips dipped in chocolate, you should give it a try!  Yummy!

And what party would be complete without a trip to the party store???
We all love shopping for birthday parties at the party store.  Matthew has had his eye on this walking cowdog balloon for quite awhile.  We were pretty excited that it was still there.

Cowboy Josh is all ready to party!

Here is one of the party favors, a 'Smores Kit, that I added to their "Loot Bags."  (I usually don't like the term "loot bags," but with this party theme...and since the way they got their party favors was by going on a treasure hunt...I figured it was OK.  Besides, what real cowboy would walk into the sunset with his "goodie bag" hanging from his belt?"

Matthew is a pretty funny guy.  When we were picking out candles, he found these and really wanted them for his cupcakes.

And look at Josh's creativity!  He made lassos out of Twizzlers for each of the plates.

Our Ranch House table...

There's my Birthday cowBoy!

Every ranch needs a real, live Cowdog named Charlie!

Cowboy William...

Cowgirl Grandma...

Cowboy Dad...

Cowboy Grandpa...

Cowgirl Carrie...

Our first guests arrived in real Cowboy style!
This still has me laughing!
Jacob got out of his truck and hung on to the side while Marie drove.  The story has it that he got out a little sooner than he needed to and hung on to the side of the truck for quite a while, hoping that we would be outside to witness the event.  I can only imagine the laughter inside their truck while they drove down the road!  You might turn down the volume a bit.  I was running the camera, so my laughter is pretty loud on the video...and you might notice that it's a bit nervous too.

Crazy fun!

Cowboy Jacob...

His darlin' wife, Marie and baby girl, Kyra...

And sweet, sweet Kenna...

Thank you for that memory!

Gotta start the day with a good old game of horseshoes!

There's a snake in my boot!
The goal was to be the first team to put all of their rubber snakes in the boot.  This game went on and on and on.  I had more rubber snakes than I thought.

A boy in his boots!
I love that!

What is it that those cowboys and cowgirls are throwing hula hoops at?
Why!  It's a horse!  (Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa for the horse head, to William for organizing and constructing the horse, and to the boys for giving him a reason to be called "Ol' Paint.")

William has that peaceful, easy look of a cowboy.

Cowboy Papa B and Cowgirl Grandma Gilda...

Present time for Cowboy Matthew!

Sittin' tight around the table, waitin' for grub...

Blow 'em out, Cowboy!

We used to have regular Treasure Hunts around here...most often the Fourth of July Treasure Hunt...but we haven't had one for a long time.  Matthew asked that we include a Treasure Hunt with his party.  These cowboys and cowgirls were ready for a Wild West Treasure Hunt to claim their Loot Bags.

Miss Carrie’s House is sure to supply

A strong cup of coffee and sweet cherry pie.

The Sheriff’s Jail stands tall and green

With a great big star that is sure to be seen.

Crooked Creek winds its way along the southeastern ridge

Hurry to catch the bandits—they are headed toward the bridge!

Hidden in grasses at the property line

You will find your loot bags in the nick of time.

Our Cowboys and Cowgirls.  I love these kids!

Cow Puncher Cash...

Calico Corrinne...

Barbed Wire Ben...

Mustang Max...

Eagle Eye Ian...

Aarizona Aaron...

Equalizer Eli...

Kantering Kenna...

And someone climbing up the tree cave!
I think that might be Aaron!

I absolutely love these pictures!
Giddyup!

Yep!
I caught you!

Ian is showing us some of his lasso skills!  He was very good!

Another party goes in the books.
There goes Cowgirl Kenna, walking off into the sunset, root beer in hand...

What makes for a successful party?
Plenty of friends, food, and fun!
I've learned that my house doesn't have to be clean, the food doesn't have to be fancy, and the friends don't have to know each other before the party begins.  Kids have a way of making fun with whatever you provide.  My comfort level is preschool-young elementary-aged kids, but I hear that its' the same with teens.  Provide plenty of friends, food, and fun, and they are happy.
Oh...and give plenty of smiles and love too.

P.S.  Ignore this video box.