Cooper's Octopus Party!!

Just so you know, you should carve out about 30 minutes to make it through this post and the 4,000 pictures.

I warned you ...

Sweet Cooper turned four this week!! For a long time, ... even before Maggie was born, Cooper has been saying that he wanted an octopus party.   He is really a funny kid.   Thought that he might change his mind, but nope, Octopus party is what he wanted.   And an octopus party is what he got!

 

 The only clever pun that I could come up with was an "OCTOPUS" party in "OCTOBER."

I looked for invites, but couldn't find any that I liked with an octopus on them.

I did ask him if he wanted to have a more general theme of "Under the Sea" with fish, etc. too.

The answer was  simply, "no thanks.  just octopus."

So I drew a little octopus out with a party hat, scanned it in, added color (all in the high-tech program called Paint).

I like the way they turned out.

Totally 100% in love with this child of God.
He is such a gift.
a silly, quirky, sweet boy with a huge imagination and an even bigger heart.
Sometimes I feel like he marches to his own beat,
and that's one of my favorite things about him.
When I was pregnant with Cooper,
we had a little scare at the 20 week ultrasound that something was wrong with him.
He had cysts in his brain and also something on the sono that looked like a growth in his liver or heart.
I cried. and cried. and cried.
Then we waited. and waited. and waited.
At 27 weeks everything was clear.
He was a healthy baby.
I can't help but smile and celebrate him.
These parties may seem ridiculous in some ways.   But it's my way of doing something extra special for my kiddos.   I enjoy doing it, and more - seeing their faces with every detail.
Cooper's whole face lit up every time he saw another octopus.  He kept squealing the whole time.
Worth every late night moment getting it all done.
Here's how we celebrated him turning four.

Colin's parents and both sisters were able to make it (HOORAY!)

I pawned off some of the last minute work on them.

They put up with it because they love me.

Or they love the kids.

Either way, it's awesome to have their help!

Alison painted his letters.

So cute!

First activity was to decorate an octopus with fruit loops.

I also had two party helpers.   They were awesome!   A big sister of one of Cooper's future classmates, and her sweet friend, too.

They were so helpful!! 

We caught Charlie eating all of the fruit loops out of the grass.
That is after he ate about 30 of them from his sheet that were coated in glue.

Next we ate.  Colin made a delicious gumbo. YUM.
Also, we had "Octodogs."








"Ocean Water"
We used knee socks (and recycled those into his halloween costume).








 

After some food we did sand art.
Found these sea creatures (including an octopus) at oriental trading company. 
This was THE BEST party activity we've ever done.   Kept all the kids (of every age) interested.
They loved it!

 Lots of sweets...

(See the sad octopus? Cooper and Jackson were getting a kick out changing up some of the faces while I was making them.  There was a "surprised" one, too).

 

 Oreo pops.
Mmmm.  So good.


 They sell sour gummy octopi at Walmart.
Who knew.

 It was a stretch trying to think of octopus-themed food : )










Really enjoyed making his cake.
He was so excited : )




 
Always love Jackson's squinty face.

Cupcakes and icecream.
Scooped the ice cream into little treat cups ahead of time - added sprinkles and spoons - had them in the freezer ready to serve.   It worked out so well.





And finally, pinata time.







Favors ...

After everyone left, Cooper (with the help of his two brothers) opened all of his gifts.

Pawpaw Kevin sporting the pinata hat.

Since we served cupcakes, we never even cut into the cake.   Just stuck it in the fridge and served it on Monday night (his actual birthday).   

I'll end this post with my this incredible picture of him that day.

What more can I say??