We got to Warren, New Jersey early and set up Nolan's Pokémon birthday party in the backyard. Coins, Pokéballs, and the catching table were in place before the first guest came outside.
When the kids arrived, we introduced ourselves and they shouted happy birthday to Nolan. We showed them the game space and let them start collecting.
Early on, that meant catching. Kids turned in Pokéballs, revealed a Pokémon, and tried to add it to their team. Nolan was in that mix from the start. His target was Trapinch. He wanted that one.
Once kids had a Pokémon, battles took the hour. They still caught when they needed to, but they wanted to battle more than they wanted another reveal. A kid would find a friend and take a match. A roll decided it. Whoever won added a Pokémon. The other kid kept their team and either stayed for another match or went to earn more Pokéballs.
Catching fed that table. Matches kept it going. Nolan used both. He would battle, then head to disc golf for coins and Pokéballs, then come straight back to find another friend. He did that again and again. Disc golf was his restock. Battles were where he spent it.
Every time he came back, he was still after Trapinch. He caught what he could, checked what he had, and returned to a match. When he needed more Pokéballs, disc golf first, then the battle table again.
One guest only wanted the prize wheel. He stayed there as long as we let him. The rest of the party kept moving between catches and matches around him. Nolan was in that cycle, back at battles, still looking for Trapinch.
When the hour was up, we counted who had the most Pokémon and crowned them Master Pokémon Trainers.
Happy birthday again, Nolan. Pizza and cupcakes came out after the count, and we sent every guest home from the backyard with party favors.
Stay Adventurous,
Ginny
