Ben's Birthday Beach Party

Today is our friend Ben's birthday. A long time ago, we decided that we wanted to throw him a birthday party, but knew that if we didn't do it as a surprise, he'd never go for it. So we planned a surprise party - knowing full well that with the magnitude of it, it would never stay a surprise. Ben loves the beach, so a beach party it was. We turned our house into a beach house ... Complete with an umbrella and beach chairs in our living room (sorry, no sun lights though):We hung celophane fish from the ceiling and put Ben's face on a surf dancer's body. We hung a water wall in the kitchen. Katie's first graders drew pictures of fish and we plastered those on the walls, along with a few collages of random pictures of Ben.
We did another water wall downstairs (after the palm tree garland stopped) and hung out beach "scene setters":
We had a giant picture of him right by the front door for everyone to sign - this was also the picture that was on the invitations (no that is not a sundress, it is Jenny's skirt and hat that he is wearing - I told him as soon as I took the picture that it would be blackmail. Little did he know how many people we'd send it out to!):Who even knew we had this much beach stuff around the house?!? (ok we didn't ... but thanks to Darci and Katie and Russ we were able to put together a pretty good collection)
What party would be complete without food? Cubbie created two of the most amazing cakes I've ever seen - one of a soccer field and ball since Ben loves soccer:And the other of a snow-capped mountain climber since Ben loves hiking - this cake is complete with a hiker (Hans Solo action figure), footprints all the way up the side of the mountain, and snow melting off the mountain top. (not to mention how amazing it tasted!!) Since everything else was beach-themed, we had beachy/boardwalky food - hot dogs, nachos, goldfish, popcorn, and caramel apples - all served in the little red-and-white-checked paper trays. Of course we had to sing to the birthday boy and made him blow out some candles - We had a great turnout - all in all there were about 70 people there, so I'd say the party was a success. Of course we have a ton of nachos and hot dogs leftover!
Here's Anne, Katie, and me. Anne, how is it that we have a picture together yet we didn't really even get a chance to talk?!? (stupid hostess duties...) Jenny (the mastermind behind this whole party) and me ... from the smiles on our faces, this must have been much before the end of the late night ... ha haWhat's a good party without sticky, gooey, yummy caramel apples, and a fun friend like Cubbie to eat them with?!?And last but not least - here's the Party Planning Committee with the Birthday Boy himself -Special thanks goes out to the Jenny, Darci (especially for the awesome pineapple coconut cakes that are not pictured), Russ, Costco, my iPod (and Katie's docking station) including, but not limited to The Beach Boys, Bob Marley, "Blue Crush" (both the movie and soundtrack), Shaggy, "50 First Dates" soundtrack, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole, Jack Johnson, Becky's bedroom (which became our storage place for all our regular house decorations), and everyone who helped celebrate with us. Happy Birthday Ben!