Mile High Hamiltons: Oliver's 6th Birthday Party

For months and months (and months) Oliver has been talking about having a birthday party with snakes, snakes and more snakes. So, what's this snake loathing Mama to do? Bring in snakes that will stay for 60 minutes and then slither their way out the same door they came in.

Oliver and I spent the Saturday prior to the party shopping for snake and lizard decorations. Who knew that snakes and lizard decorations would be so hard to come by? Instead, we went for party decor that coiled from the ceiling like a snake.

Upon the entry to our home, there were snakes galore!

Creeping and crawling their way up the banister were snakes, snakes and more snakes. Each of the party goers happily departed with these snakes. I'm not sure that their Mamas loved that idea, but the kids LOVED them!

Our handsome birthday boy, straight from the hair salon upstairs which is AKA a quick run by the bathroom sink.

We love this boy to pieces, all six years of him!

Another high request was a pinta. The closest to the lizard and snake family that we could come was a frog. It's a good thing that we had a frog (toad) on the Party Safari pet list.

The cake decorations were purchased on Amazon, delivered to Das Meyer's and - WALA - this is what I picked up on Friday night. We were all amazed and loved it!!

Oliver got to choose the type of cake and after this, he is in charge of picking cake from here on out. Imagine four layers of angel food cake with strawberries, strawberry syrup and whip cream in between each layer. YUM!

Nana and Papa came to celebrate Oliver turning six. They were awesome in helping us prep for the party and then, we put Papa to work as a family photographer. Thanks Papa!

Mommy, Oliver, Kellan and Daddy; SO happy to celebrate our Big Six!

Brothers!!

The boy who first made me a Mommy!

Oliver was SO excited about his cake. He talked about it all week and stared at it every chance he got.

As the party peeps arrived, they picked up a game of football in the back yard.

Charlie, Oliver, Colby, Owen M, Owen, H and Preston.

The huddle is a very important party of a successful game (so they tell me).

The party goers are all ready for the main attraction, but first... a group shot!

Back Row: Owen H, Owen M, Preston, Chase, Colby, Oliver, Charlie

Front Row: Morgan, Samantha, Kaitlyn, Cole and Kellan

Then... they lined up and filed in to the living room to find a large rug with a lizard on it. They quickly followed the instructions by Chad and lined up accordingly on the living room floor.

Chad gave a quick demonstration of the rules which included petting the animals with two fingers (as demonstrated below) and after every animal encounter, sanitizer was required.

As the birthday boy, Oliver was the right hand man and had to have a special demonstration of his job. He took his job VERY seriously and loved EVERY SINGLE minute of it!

First up was Kernal from Colorado.

Oliver was SO calm, cool and collected. He loved it and was a natural. (no... we're not getting any pet snakes any time soon but he can chase all snakes off the property at will)

If it makes you squirm to watch this, just pretend they are plastic snakes. We have plenty of those around the house as well.

After each demonstration, the kids would come up for their own animal encounter where they got to pet nearly each and every one of them.

Next up was something that sounded like a pencil sharpener in a bag. Our brave boy stuck his finger in the pencil sharpener bag without hesitation. On the other hand, his Mommy about had heart failure from behind the couch and had a tiny tinge of concern that he would come out without a finger.

Making that crazy pencil sharpener sound was a flying Sugar Glider squirrel.

Once he took a short flight and was back in his bag, Oliver got to pet his cute little head.

Oliver was SO attentive the entire time.

Next up was Raptor. This guy was fun to see and watch.

When his jaw opens (like Chad's) his fins on the back of his head flare out.

Then... Chad showed us how fast he ran!

Don't worry, he didn't run far, but it was just like what we see on TV.

The kids were 100% tuned in.

Next up was Velcro, the Bearded Dragon.

(I love how the girls are hiding behind the chair)

Velcro thought that Oliver was quite cute and he gave him a little birthday smooch on the cheek.

Next up is a snake that's not on the website, so I can't tell you what his name is. I can tell you that Oliver was smitten with each and every critter that came out of Chad's critter carriers.

We were also informed that this is a multi purpose snake.

This is the Princess Leia demonstration.

Everyone laughed but I wonder how many of them understood the demonstration or if they laughed because it's funny to see Oliver with snake muffs on his ears.

Mr Snake also passes as sunglasses while he whispers sweet nothings in your ear.

Snake Head Band, in case Oliver ever decides to grow his hair out).

Snake neck tie, in case Oliver needs to spruce up for a special event.

This next one was not only a crowd pleasure but a family favorite. We all agreed that he was our top choice of all of the animals that came out. Maybe because he was as big as Oliver!

Oliver had to lie down on the floor and close his eyes. He was SO brave and trusting. I think by this point he knew that it could be nothing but fantastic!

As Turok loomed above Oliver, Oliver opened his eyes. (No, he didn't squeal or scream)

Oliver was cool as a cucumber and he lounged with Turok.

I loved watching Turok stick his tongue out to all of us to check out his surroundings.

Chad showed Oliver how to lay on Turok and pet him.

Oliver spent many many minutes with Turok, just like this. I think they could have been BFF's if we would have let Turok stay.

Our happy birthday boy and Turok.

You may see this guy on Animal Planet someday.

I love the look of wonder and admiration in Oliver's eyes.

Next up was Spot the Tortoise. Spot was fun to watch and he seemed to enjoy being at our house too.

Thankfully, Morgan was here and willing to admit that she thinks she is a princess.

Chad brought Morgan to the front and told her to close her eyes, hold out her hands and dream of all of the things she would want as a princess. When she opened her eyes, she saw this, Ribbit the Toad.

Her Prince Charming?

Morgan was a true trooper and in seconds went from shock to smiles.

Right about here, Chad asked Morgan if she would kiss Ribbit to see if he would turn into a Prince. Of course, she said no, but that didn't stop Ribbit from sneaking a smooch on Morgan's cheek.

It was all very cute and Morgan was a true Princess to participate.

Ribbit the Toad

Ribbit had a special trick and he would roll over and play dead.

Then, with a magical touch, he would roll right back over.

Next up was Nancy. Nancy had a free pass from the kids as Sid was home with their brand new eggs. It was super great that Nancy was willing to come and spend some time with us. She must have missed her babies because she quickly snuggled in with my baby.

Hey Nancy! How's it hanging in there?

The critter that we were quite curious about was Pinch the Scorpion. Pinch was quite creepy and he wasn't up for public petting, but Oliver did get to carefully hold him. Again, he was a champ. Pinch was fascinating but he can stay far far away. Eww!

Finally, the Grand Finale!

After Oliver hauled in this 35 lb load, he bravely and blindly put his hand in the bag.

Then, he brought a friend up to try it.

Owen H was a bit apprehensive, but he did it.

Then, they got to sneak a peek.

Before they knew it, out came Anna Banana!

Chad lined up all eleven kids...

... then he laid Anna Banana in their hands.

THEY LOVED IT!

When people ask me how long Anna Banana was, I say eleven kids long.

Anna Banana and the Birthday Gang!

Oliver, Owen H, Colby, Preston, Charlie, Chase, Owen M, Samantha, Kaitlyn, Kellan, Morgan

Happy Birthday Oliver!!

This was defiantly a party to slither down in history!

After an hour with some amazing critters, it was time to fill our bellies with pizza!

Pizza followed by some energy bursting pinata action.

Since we don't really have any trees that we can hang a pinata in, we opted for the rafters in the garage.

We tied up the pinata, took our places, Oliver was set to swing and then BAM! The pinata hit the floor.

Daddy was ready for some serious Pinata action before it hit the floor.

Ooops... too much heavy candy almost busted Olivers hopes of smashing a pinata, but it was nothing that an engineer and some duct tape can't solve.

Or maybe two Hamilton engineers.

Phew! Finally, the pinata was up, running and ready for smashing!

All of the kids got a chance to hit the pinata, even the little guys. Then, they all went home with bags of candy that had come flying out. It was absolutely a win win.