The way Max Ashbridge sees it, the best part of “Mother-Son Mania” is the balloons.

“You get light-sabers,” Max said, while wielding his balloon like a sword.

Stacy Caiarelli Brown, organizer of the Mother-Son Mania event, held Saturday, May 2, at Cascade View Elementary School, enjoys seeing the creativity of boys at play.

“Girls don’t look at that and make a sword,” said Caiarelli Brown, while a crowd of boys battled with balloon swords.

Mother-Son Mania, organized by the Snoqualmie Ridge Residential Owners Association, offered a variety of activities, including an obstacle course, spin art, basketball, fooseball, face painting and the video game Rock Band.

“It’s a great way to get families together,” said Kristan Niederkrome, Max’s mother.

Mother-Son Mania complements the association’s father-daughter dance in February. In past years, the association has organized mother-son bowling, but switched to a bigger venue at Cascade View to boost participation.

For many event-goers, the day offered some rare — and appreciated — mother-son time.

“I’m enjoying it as much as the kids,” said Kim Thack, sons Riley and Carson at her side.

Carson proudly displayed a painted frog on his cheek, while his older brother, Riley, reveled in making his own ‘candy art,’ called Pucker Powder.