There isn't much I'd be tempted to change in my life if I could go back and do it all over, but boy would I like to give my five-year-old self a birthday party like this Star Wars extravaganza I photographed last month. The lucky birthday girl and her friends learned how to wield a lightsaber from a visiting Jedi -- just in time to help him defeat Darth Vader who just happened to walk by.

The Star Wars theme also included lunchbox gift bags; an incredible cake that you wouldn't believe is edible (it was); and a brief lesson in the Wookiee language. I had to smile watching the little kiddos practicing their wookiee growls. The party was hosted at Chelsea Piers so of course there was a private bouncy castle and a medley of races, plus a BB-8 pinata. Lucky kids!