Mad Science

It's not easy finding a birthday theme to excite finicky 7-year-old boys. But earlier this summer, we discovered Mad Science at second-cousin Shawn's first birthday. It was love at first rocket launch, and we decided to book our own mad scientist. The boys constructed their own periscopes, made their own slime, and built their own planes. Christina, our mad scientist, indulged the boys with both an explosion and a low-temperature fire.

They then donned fancy diffraction glasses to watch a mini laser show.

The pièce de résistance was the aforementioned rocket launch.

The boys were like Houston, counting down to liftoff. To their delight, the rocket soared over our house and into the yard next door. Unfortunately the guys working on the neighbors' roof were none too pleased—perhaps they thought we were celebrating the Fourth a little early?

After we serenaded Will with Happy Birthday and inhaled chocolate cupcakes, the boys trickled out, and Will's exhausted parents collapsed. But when presents await, it's not difficult to muster a little energy!
We deemed the party a success. And by the most important measure—Will's smile—it certainly was.