A Buzz Lightyear Birthday Party

We celebrated Will's 4th birthday this past weekend with a Buzz Lightyear birthday party.  Several months ago, when I asked Will what kind of party he wanted, he said "Buzz Lightyear".  Well, turns out planning a Buzz Lightyear party without including Woody, Jessie and the gang is kind of faux paux, so eventually we decided that "the crew can come Mama, but mostly just Buzz Lightyear." 

Will was very specific in his request this year and asked only for a "Buzz Lightyear cake that tastes like Buzz Lightyear" and a "jumping bean".  For a 4 year-old, no party is complete without a bouncy house.  Kind of like in college where it wasn't a party without at least one keg of Natty Light.  He thinks everyone, including adults should have jumping beans on their birthday, and how can you argue with that?!  And for the record, there are way more bouncy houses than kegs in my life these days ;) 

So we complied - we had a simple party in my mom's backyard (more flat and shady than our hilly yard) with the highlights of the day being this wonderful cake by Heaven Scents:

And this awesome jumping bean:

He had several of his buddies to play with and ate lots of cake and chips and drank plenty of juice boxes, and of course there were plenty of gifts to open.  That's about all it takes to make a 4 year-old happy apparently.  And balloons!  He went with me to pick up the balloons from the party store and he said "Mama!  I've been wishing for balloons all week!"  At his brother's party in March, we let the balloons go after the party and I told them we were sending them to my Maw Maw in Heaven.  Well that devastated Will.  He cried for HOURS after we let them go and he still to this day asks when Maw Maw is going to send those balloons back to him.  So I made sure everyone knew NOT to let them go for this party.  We brought all 17 balloons back home with us and tied them up in his room. 

He had a great time and received lots great gifts.  He's at the age where when he pulled the tissue out, he would either light up and inspect his toy, or say "clothes" and leave the bag untouched.  It's pretty funny but embarrassing for the parent :/  Of course, I would always rather the kids receive clothes, shoes or books, but they like TOYS.  Like they need any more plastic toys.  Oh well - whatever makes them happy.  To me, that's what birthdays are all about for the little ones - one special day a year to get exactly what you want all day long (within reason of course).  Here are a few more pictures from his big day (and for the record - Buzz Lightyear tastes like strawberry on top and vanilla on the bottom ;)) -