Boot Camp Party -2yr- Water Balloon Grenades

Get your pen and paper ready. For my sons 2nd birthday we had a full on Army Boot Camp. Although he was only turning 2, all of his friends and  cousins range from 5-10 years. 

INVITATIONS:First, I made invitations with Army green cardstock purchased from Staples (cheapest) The front of the card had an official U.S. Army seal sticker purchased at our local surplus store. The inside of the card read: Private Payton, Your Boot camp orders. Nathan's 2nd Birthday Prty. Mission Location Secret (your last name) Military Base.Date of Mission: April 25th. Time: 1200hrs-1600hrs (12-4 civilian time). Classified RSVP #......... Private, report for Basic training in camo fatigues. Rations will be served.  I received so many calls on the invitations alone. They had no idea what they were in for.  

ACTIVITIES:I had a registration table set up in our entry way with dog tags with the kids name on them. Canteens and army helmets. In the background on the wall I had an Army poster with the soldiers creed in it. They had to recite the creed. If they chose to, they got their face painted with camo paint.In the back yard I had a camo fort made of camo hunting netting on the hill and on the lower grass area.

We had about 400 grenade water balloons for a war. (the adults participated in this event as well). I had 8 motorcycle tires for a tire course, 8~12 inch poles with camo twine zig`zagged for the kids to crawl unber, a 12 foot balance beam for them to cross and a kiddie pool they had to rope swing over. We also had a tug of war game. One of the best parts of the party was at the end when we had a ceremony and I handed out Rank Promotion Certificates in fron of the parents. I purchased blank award certs fron Staples with some gold stickers seals for envelopes.

The certs said:THE ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CERTIFICATE OF PROMOTION.  THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THE GENERAL OF THE LUCERO MILITARY BASE HAS BY CONGRESSIONAL ORDER ON THIS DAY, APPOINTED THE FOLLOWING COMMISSIONED ARMY OFFICER TO THE PERMANENT RANK OF, SERGEANT 1ST CLASS SERGEANT 1ST CLASS:   NATHAN LUCERO GIVEN UNDER MY HAND ON THIS 25TH DAY OF APRIL 2009 General, Andrea Lucero 

SNACKS:The food was served on square tin pans purchased at the dollar store. I was not sure of the menu at first, but it was a huge hit. Hot dogs, hot links, bb-q chicken, baked beans, tater tots and friut salad. I can't believe how fast the tater tots went! 

FAVORS:The goodie bags were a HUGE hit as well. I went to our local Army recruiting center. When I told them the theme of the party they showered me with FREE OFFICIAL ARMY items. Plastic Army bags with handles, Army stickers, Army water bottles, Army posters, Army shirts (which my husband wore) Army Pens,, Army pencils, Army notepads, really cool Army book covers made of material. All I had to buy was candy, paratroopers, and Army guys. 

CAKE:The cake was a camo cake that I put our own tank, helecopter and army guys on. Before we sang happy birthday we did an Army cadience (chant) I don't know if youv'e been told,(repeat) Nathan James is 2 years old.(repeat) Were all here to celebrate,(repeat) Nathan James is really great.(repeat) Before we go we want to say (repeat)… Happy (repeat) Birthday (repeat) break it on down happy birthday TO YOU! The whole party was a huge hit and most of the adults even wore camo. Great for pics. Hard to top next year.