Inflatable rental structure

For example, she Inflatable Camping Tent and a neighbor timed their parties – one on Saturday and one the next day – to share the cost of a weekend rental for tables and chairs.

She borrowed three outdoor canopies from neighbors, setting them up to protect guests from the sun.

Her inexpensive party favors – including bubbles, glow sticks and glittery sunglasses that formed the year “2007″ – came from a dollar store.

The Leakes’ party lacked a slide show, but Lisa did put up a poster-size collage covered with pictures of Zack and his friends over the years. She put out a guestbook for guests to sign, and classmates brought their memory books with them. Kids all brought their own cameras, too, she says.

Zack set up a stereo outside to provide music. Additional entertainment was provided by … water balloon fights?

The younger guests got soaked, Leake says, but they had fun doing it.

All of this party-giving experience adds up to practice for Leake, who has another son, Jacob, who will graduate in 2010.

For the most part, she says, she will probably do the same things the second time around.

But Jacob is requesting at least one revision.

If the family rents an inflatable again, she says, he doesn’t want the obstacle course.

He wants a water slide.