Cooper's 5th Birthday Party

A chair cake and a Narnia theme. These were Cooper's two requests for his birthday party. He's been requesting a chair cake (I still find this somewhat perplexing) for months. We were never able to dissuade him. His main concern was that he have friends at his party. We were blessed to have a number of new friends help celebrate. I think it's clear from Cooper's elated expression in the leading photo that he was pleased with the turnout.

Decorations consisted primarily of snowflakes.

On the coffee table are supplies to make shields.

Near the entrance was a lamppost used to play "Pin the flame on the lamppost".

Our neighbor, Widad, provided some Turkish Delight to keep in line with the Narnia theme. Fitting since Widad is, in fact, Turkish.

Here are some of our new friends: Widad, Emily, and Rachel.

Noah enjoyed quality time with Dad during much of the party.

We played pass the parcel. The package was meant to look like one of Mr. Tumnus's parcels. I doubt the kids caught on.

The kids preparing for the game. The Americans were clueless, but the Scottish kids knew well what to expect.

Mac was the first "winner." His brother Struan helped open the package.

Struan helps again.

There were plenty of gifts so that each of the participants could win. 

Cooper's chair cake. He spotted the "5" candle when we were walking down an aisle at Sainsbury's and insisted on having it for his cake.

He was truly excited during the singing of "Happy Birthday."

Rachel Nigh volunteered to do face painting. So much fun!

Cooper chose Aslan.

Rebecca prepares to "Pin the Flame."

Presents! All of Cooper's guests were very generous.

The kids spent much of their time playing with toys around the house. This is Mercy.

Seriously, Emily, how could Luke NOT make the blog?

Cooper gave each of his guests a party favor. The table in this photo is another Freecycle find!

Noah wanted to show off his frog.

Cooper asked to eat some of the icing off of his chair.

How does one make a chair cake? In my case, it's created with supplies on hand. Cooper informed us the night before the party that he did not want a cake shaped like a chair but rather a ten layer cake (we went with two layers) with a chair on top. We checked Toys R Us and ASDA for some type of dollhouse chair to stick on top but to no avail. I was up until 2 am making this pitiful chair out of cardboard, nails, screws, clothespins and tape. This was my first attempt at any kind of cake decorating. I don't recommend teaching oneself the night before a party.