Surprise!

Zack has birthday expectations. He expected to have a friend birthday party. He did not specify this wish exactly and it was only implied on his massive birthday list. I dropped the ball. Actually, I was just hoping to avoid  figuring out how to throw a friend party here.  I thought that having the cousins over would eliminate the need for a more elaborate party. And then I realized that the cousins were heading out of town on his birthday.  I threw out the idea of a pre-birthday party and he cried. By then it was too late to try to organize a friend party. I was feeling very guilty. Luckily, I was able to throw together a pre-birthday surprise party with the cousins and our neighbors. While Matt took him to pick up pizza, we did some quick decorating and waited....

We had a bunch of arrival false alarms and were a little caught off guard when he walked in the door:

He had this big grin for the rest of the night.

Zack and his "almost brother" Henry. That's how Henry describes their relationship, this information is especially important when deciding who gets to use the second Nerf sword they gave him for a present.

The party in full swing. I tried to make the case that Matt should stay home and decorate because of his better crepe paper skills, but he still can't raise on arm above his head. Stupid shoulder injury.

This is my redesign on a High School Musical pinata. Zack inexplicably decided he wanted space themed party decorations. And only a star pinata would do.  Star pinatas are hard to find. 

Madeline, Celeste (our cute neighbors/bus stop friends) with Zack.

Zack also wanted a star cake. He told me this two days before his birthday. They make star shaped cake pans but I couldn't find one anywhere. Instead he got this, sloppy (his description) star cake. He did get a sparkler candle which I think outweighs the poor cake execution.