Blake is 5!

We celebrated Blake's Birthday yesterday with a fun Scooby-Doo themed party. I wanted to keep the party fun and simple, so I originally bought erasers for cupcake toppers. I know...LAME! That is exactly what I realized as I started frosting the cupcakes. So, I decided to whip up an awesome cupcake Mystery Machine cake.

I arranged the cupcakes like so, adding a half of one on the very front as the spare tire. I was a little skeptical as I slapped on the frosting, worried that I'd ruin this batch of cupcakes and have to start over. Blake was a very attentive audience and when I was done he said, "Mom! It looks EXACTLY like the Mystery Machine!" I thought it looked kinda funny, but didn't care as long as he was happy!

Good enough.

I stuck some candles and Scooby friends on there and we were good to go.

Blake was all ready to greet his guests.

As the kids first arrived, we opened up the back patio and let them play for about 20 minutes. We washed up and were ready for games.

Game one: Hot Scooby! (Played like Hot Potato)

Warren played and stopped the Scooby theme song as we passed around a stuffed Scooby-Doo.

Uh oh, Mommy's out!

Blake told me after the party that this was his favorite game. I was surprised because it took very little thought and had the least amount of preparation. Everyone who won got a Scooby sticker (I called them Scooby spots) and a little Scooby candy.

Next, we separated into two groups to play DON'T EAT SCOOBY (played like Don't Eat Pete)

I created a little card with 9 squares each with a different picture of Scooby in it. We then placed an m&m in each square. (I wanted to buy those cute little colored candy dog bones, but couldn't find them before the party. If I were to do it again, I'd order them online.) One child leaves the room while the rest of the group decides which square is THE Scooby-Doo. The child comes back and gets to eat one m&m at a time. When he/she touches THE decided Scooby-Doo the group yells, "DON'T EAT SCOOBY!" and then their turn it up.

I loved hearing Warren's group be so animated from across the room.

Next we played Scooby Bingo. I created a set of 12 different cards and game chips and the kids really liked this game. Each square had a different picture of Scooby characters in it. I made corresponding cards for the caller to pull one at a time and show the group.

It took a little bit of time to help everyone put their chips in the right squares. We only made it through one time because of the younger kids attention spans. I think that it would go much faster the more you play and as the children get used to what the pictures are. This was the first party we've ever hosted where the parents just drop the kids off. It was so fun to host the party with my cute husband. My friend Mako was a huge help and took all these great pictures.

Next we had a Scooby-snack, Birthday cake and presents.

Clayton had been sleeping for most of the party, but we woke him up toward the end so he wouldn't miss it all

We actually got all the kids to hold still long enough for a group shot.

We had about 15 minutes left in the party, so we played Scooby, Scooby, Scooby-Doo!

(Duck, duck, goose!)

This is always a fun game when you have a group of people and it can so easily modified to fit almost any party.

Cute baby, big-boy!

With just a few minutes left, we sent the kids back outside to get their energy out before pick-up. I love the new mural I have out back. I loved seeing all the kids enjoying our tiny back yard. It just goes to show that you don't need much to keep kids happy.

After the party, Daddy laid down on the couch to get a little rest. Do you think Scooby and Scrappy-Doo would let that happen? I don't think so!

He almost got away with it too... if it weren't for those pesky kids!

Instead of resting, Daddy decided to take us out to the movies for more celebrating. We saw the very interesting Rango. It was the perfect end to a perfect B-day celebration.