A Simple Machines Birthday

10th Bday Party6 A few weeks ago, I became the mother of a ten year-old. Number 1 is such an easy boy to celebrate. He is unassuming, humble in heart, thoughtful, genuine, responsible, teachable, and down-right charming. How could I not grant him his birthday request for a party including all his favorite things...

Here's how it came together:

My father-in-law owns several copies of Popular Mechanics magazines dating from the early to mid 1900s. They are amazing to read...oh how much has changed! (and...how much hasn't...)

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Scanned pages from these antique copies (with a little help from Photoshop) made for great decorations:

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...and laminated placemats:

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...and a Happy Birthday banner:

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The birthday boy requested a fave-food menu:

grilled cheese homemade tomato soup huge assortment of pickles chex mix twizzlers salt and vinegar chips cantaloupe krispy kreme donuts

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After some Grandpa-led fun with pulleys...

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...and motors...

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...we ended the party with a build-your-own catapult kit using popsicle sticks and rubber bands.

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We used this Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction book as inspiration, but improved upon the design with our own adaptation:

adaptation of mini catapult

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A wonderful time was had by all...

...but especially by the sweet 10 yr. old who enjoyed a small but significant celebration of his entrance into the double digits.

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