May The Force Be With Me

In the aftermath of a 5th Birthday Pirate Party, a Lightening Mcqueen 3rd Birthday and a 1st Birthday and Dedication, I made a stand.... 2011, it would be a theme free party year for all!  A fair call one would say, given the considerable amount of time, money and energy little people’s festivities can snaffle from a recovering perfectionist addicted to planning, producing and pulling off such events! 

However the clock is ticking, Precious's 6th birthday is fast approaching and with his latest infatuation with Star Wars, Lego and Star Wars Lego, I find myself restless and itching to plan, produce and pull of exactly that . . . a Lego Star Wars Party, fit for my very own Jedi!

I confess: I have already over indulged in google ‘quality’ time, scrounging around potential galactic sites, in search of inspiration to design THE perfect (or should I say ‘good enough’) invitation, menu, entertainment, and of course cake. My mind is unleashed, and possibilities are endless, until the wisdom of the wallet bumps me back to reality . . .

What is one to do? . . . naturally, I test the waters, would a certain ‘nearly 6 year old’ be partial to an exciting, first rate, Star Wars Partae experience? The face said it all . . . and my fate was sealed, in that moment I had willingly surrendered to a 4 week galatic adventure.

So the journey begins, and I am instantly lost in translation.

As I enter the ‘unknown’ world of Star Wars these are the things I know for sure ...

1. making a paper mache Death Star Pinata, will in no way be the simple fun activity that ehow.com eludes to
2. with 12 boys (armed with light sabers) completing a Jedi Training Course, someone is bound to lose an eye
3. we have a serious dysfunction in the Anakin (aka Darth Vader) Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia family unit
4. Yoda Soda . . . a combination of sprite and lime sherbet will undoubtedly result in an undrinkable substance, so FORCE fizzy is our safe plan B

You ask, do I enter this challenge with a little fear and trepidation? Yes!

Is there a chance stress will get the better of me and I have ‘moments’ along the way? Absolutely!

Will I be completely shattered afterwards? That I can guarantee!

So WHY? Why embark on this quest?

Is it for the accolades, the oohs and ahhs that may come my way as the party unfolds?

I confess: I do like words of affirmation, appreciation and a pat on the back, who doesn’t? But, no my main motivation is that I would see the same look of amazement and wonder at the mere mention of such an event, and it would remain on Precious's face for the entirety of the party. That the photos and video footage will capture the essence of childhood imagination, their energy, and the camaraderie of 12 jedi knights in training to defeat Death Star.  

But most of all, my hope is that memories will be created and stories will be told in times to come, of that one special day when Precious was “the Chosen One”, the hero for the day. When he was acknowledged for who he is, and celebrated for who he is becoming.

So the countdown is on, the clock is ticking ...



May the force be with ME!



image by Zeetz Jones