Super Mario Party....!

I don't know about you...but the older my oldest child gets....the older I feel.

He turned 12 today....!

What a doozy of a Birthday?! Such a milestone...!

He really wanted his party to be at Otto's Video Games and More...right down the street from us.

Since it is a Video Game Store, we opted for our favorite Super Mario Theme.

The Party Room Wall decorated up...!

 My banner was really easy....just pennants made by hand. I cut out the letters with the Cricut. On each pennant are characters from the Mario Game. I saved clip art from around the Internet, inserted onto Microsoft Word and printed them out.

 My husband worked on these Piranha Plants for a couple of days.

*We didn't make this idea up...I've seen quite a few of these around the Internet.

He used cardboard tubing for the base, painted it green. For the top, he bought foam from the Dollar Store and made the rim. They only had white foam, so he painted it green. A wooden dowel is what is holding up the Flower. He painted that as well. The leaves were foam painted and cut. The Piranha Flower is a Styrofoam ball, painted red. He then used the foam to make the mouth, dots and teeth. He adhered everything with a hot glue gun.

 This is the Game Room.

So, basically it's the quietest party EVER....!

They play video games for a couple of hours.

I mean, they come out when they want to munch or drink and then go back into the cool lair...!

Noah was excited because he got to hang out with a couple of his friends from his old school where we used to live. His smile was priceless.

 There are different packages, but the kids play age appropriate games.

Each television had a different game in it.

They get headphones to hear the games with and they get to sit in movie theater chairs.

 

 We really love Mario.

This was one Halloween.

 Noah was embarrassed by this picture, but I warned him I would put it up...ahead of time. The lady at Costco said it was the cutest picture she'd ever seen when she printed it...!

I try to joke around with him about stuff since he's my only boy. I told all his friends that they couldn't come in unless they laughed at the picture. Nobody thought it was embarrassing.  So, he lightened up about it.

 

 

 Star Power....!

I ordered these cookies because my baking stuff is in storage...first year ever not baking.

I said "Mario" Stars and even described the eyes. They said they knew...! Being anal, it secretly bugged me. But they did taste good and I wouldn't complain to the bakery or in front of the kids. I'm not like that...!

 Time to Re-Fuel and Power Up...!

 The Goody Bags...!

At the end, I had them open them up and put all that candy and everything left on the table in them.

*I'm not bringing that back with me....! I might eat it. WINK!

 

 My Birthday BOY...I mean Birthday TWEEN...!

He is so big...ok...I need to get over it....give me a bit then I will...maybe.

 

 I took a bunch of pictures. What, I didn't know what else to do?!

It was seriously, so relaxing. I should have brought my craft supplies to make Valentines.

The kids were preoccupied and when I would try to talk to them....they were playing video games.

The staff watched over them and helped them the entire time.

I am so not used to that. My husband left to heat up some food and text me what I was doing....I said "I organized my wallet!"

I even got to eat...! I never eat at any of my parties. Too busy...!

 

 The Birthday Cake is a TURTLE Ice Cream Cake...Get it?!

My son is so into Delicious Cakes.

 He never lets me fondant his cakes or put too many decorations.

He likes Double Fudge Brownies or Homemade Cheesecakes on his Birthday.

We saw this and he drooled. He's our food critic...!

 

I took it really easy this year.

 Just did Pizza Bagels, Breadsticks with Sauce, Meats and Crackers and Cheeses....for Mario's Italian Feast.

 

 Chocolate Mustaches....!

 

I would wish that I could turn back time....but he is growing into a great young man. I am so proud of him. He makes me burst with happiness. He is so level headed and practical and well-rounded. I am so glad he is my oldest. He's a great example.

 

I {MUSTACHE} you....

How cute are they?!