Birthday party ideas...

Hey everyone! I haven't posted in a long while, but thought I would stop being lazy. :winking0009:

The girls are going to be TWO in September (almost next month) I can't even believe it and it breaks my heart a little more each day. I am so ready for another baby but DP says no way right now. I am working on that one....

Anyways, we are probably going to do a birthday party for the girls at one of the area metroparks. That is all I have planned, and I feel like I have no idea what I am doing! I want to have a party for them since we didn't last year. I don't know what to do about food, decorations, etc. Any ideas?

Thanks!!!

 

I am doing a Jungle Theme. As for food, we're doing standard cookout fare, but throwing in some of DH's specialties like his homemade guacomole.
Have fun with it!

 

That is very cute Kelly!!! How many people are you inviting, and how much food? I am lost...

 

It will be about 20 people. We're getting a 1/4 sheet cake with a half dozen cupcakes on the side. We haven't really planned the menu yet, but last year, we got a couple pounds of ground beef for burgers, some hot dogs, and some chicken breasts. Also made sides like potato salad, pasta salad, chips and salsa, and grilled corn on the cob. We had way too much food, so we'll scale back the amount this time. DH makes all the food, and he tends to go overboard. When I worked for a caterer, the rule was to allow 1/4 pound per guest for things like deli meat or potato salad.

 

I also did a cake that was made of cupcakes. I know you can get one made at Stop N Shop. Its easier than cutting a cake esp. if you are having the birthday somewhere away from home. I like the jungle theme for your little monkeys!

 

QUOTE(Snittens @ Jul 29 2007, 08:15 PM) [snapback]348825[/snapback]
It will be about 20 people. We're getting a 1/4 sheet cake with a half dozen cupcakes on the side. We haven't really planned the menu yet, but last year, we got a couple pounds of ground beef for burgers, some hot dogs, and some chicken breasts. Also made sides like potato salad, pasta salad, chips and salsa, and grilled corn on the cob. We had way too much food, so we'll scale back the amount this time. DH makes all the food, and he tends to go overboard. When I worked for a caterer, the rule was to allow 1/4 pound per guest for things like deli meat or potato salad.


Sounds a lot like our plans! Our boys officially turn 1 on 8/8. We are having a small family BBQ this Saturday 8/4 to celebrate. People haven't been great about RSVPing, but I'm expecting we'll have about 15 people to feed. I bought a Funfetti cake mix and was going to do a sheet cake, but I like the idea of cupcakes instead! We sent out jungle animal invites, but we don't have any jungle decorations - just a bright yellow picnic table cover and lots of primary colored balloons. I feel a little like I haven't put enough effort into the party, but I know how my family is (most of them not coming) and my husband's family (read my MIL) is doing a huge party the following weekend to celebrate the twins' 1st birthday and my husband's grandfather's 95th birthday jointly. I just can't believe they are almost a year already! Time really flies, doesn't it?

 

Hi Erin!!
It has been a long time! Glad to see you're well and the girls are getting big. I found a cool link for some ideas.
Good Luck and I hope all goes well.

 

We did the kids second birthday at the park in January. Our theme was a polka-dot theme. I pretty much used a lot of bright colored paper goods and decorations- signs, balloons, etc.. and kept it simple. This was all based on an invitation that I found on clearance!

For food we did Togo's sandwich (the party platter ones), chips (Ruffles and Tortilla) and dip (Onion and salsa), fruit and potato salad. I had PB&J for the kids and gold-fish and other crackers set out too. For drinks we had lots of water, juice, lemonade and soda. We did 2 cakes one boy and one girl that had polka-dots on it. No real games as many were entertained with what the park had to offer.

We did not do goodie bags as we had 65 people attend ranging in age from 6 months to 70! So I made sugar cookies that were a circle with the number 2 in the middle and polka dots around it and wrapped them in cellophane, tied with a ribbon and note that said, "Thank you for celebrtaing with us! Love, Katelyn & Blake"

Have fun planning!

 

QUOTE(LmSjt915 @ Jul 29 2007, 05:00 PM) [snapback]348676[/snapback]
The girls are going to be TWO in September (almost next month) I can't even believe it and it breaks my heart a little more each day. I am so ready for another baby but DP says no way right now. I am working on that one....


LOL - you just described me and my DH - I am so ready for another, and DH says no way . anyway, just wanted to let you know that we are not doing a bday party again this year (we didn't for their first either). So don't feel badly if you don't do a party or do something low key and easy. They'll have fun just spending the day with the people they love.

 

Thanks ladies for all of the ideas!! I like the idea of a cupcake cake-simple and easy.

I think I might head over to party express and see what kind of ideas I can pick up from there.

How early should you send out invites?

 

http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/party_ideas.html

This is a really good site I used for the boys first birthday.

Nice to see your around Erin... Can you believe our kiddos are almost 2??? Where did the time go?

 

QUOTE(nikki_0724 @ Jul 31 2007, 04:43 PM) [snapback]351283[/snapback]
http://www.birthdaypartyideas.com/html/party_ideas.html

This is a really good site I used for the boys first birthday.

Nice to see your around Erin... Can you believe our kiddos are almost 2??? Where did the time go?



I know!! I can't believe it. Are you doing a party this year?

 

QUOTE(LmSjt915 @ Jul 31 2007, 12:32 PM) [snapback]351269[/snapback]
Thanks ladies for all of the ideas!! I like the idea of a cupcake cake-simple and easy.

I think I might head over to party express and see what kind of ideas I can pick up from there.

How early should you send out invites?


I think three weeks is good. Our biggest hurdle will be getting our yard in shape since it's going to be primarily outdoors. Eeek! Oh well, it is jungle theme, so maybe the yard can stay as it is, a jungle!

 

QUOTE(Snittens @ Aug 1 2007, 02:51 AM) [snapback]352117[/snapback]
I think three weeks is good. Our biggest hurdle will be getting our yard in shape since it's going to be primarily outdoors. Eeek! Oh well, it is jungle theme, so maybe the yard can stay as it is, a jungle!


LOL, good idea Kelly. I have no idea where to even start with this. I guess we are using a pavilion but I don't think we are going to reserve it. I think I will just get there early the day of the party and decorate so no one else will want to use it! LOL.

 

QUOTE(LmSjt915 @ Aug 1 2007, 02:40 AM) [snapback]352098[/snapback]
I know!! I can't believe it. Are you doing a party this year?



Yup were having a party. Im debating if I want to do it in CiCis party room in Sterling heights, or rent out our hall.... Im still weighing options. I holding off on a theme still waiting to see if they start to get interested in anything.

My friends son LOVED Blues Clues so for his 2nd b day she had a huge BC party. My boys are all over the place and not really intetested in any one thing. They dont watch tv so they dont know about charaters or anything...

but I'm kinda thinking fireman/firetruck theme...... They are being fireman for halloween so they could wear there costumes at the party...LOL

 

QUOTE(LmSjt915 @ Jul 31 2007, 10:02 PM) [snapback]352137[/snapback]
LOL, good idea Kelly. I have no idea where to even start with this. I guess we are using a pavilion but I don't think we are going to reserve it. I think I will just get there early the day of the party and decorate so no one else will want to use it! LOL.


Hi, Erin! I can't belive they are almost two! I can't believe mine are almost 2! We resereved a pavilion at a park last year for the boys birthday. It was 35 bucks to rent it. I don't know how it is there, but here if you don't reserve it then those who do have the right to kick you out and not allow you to use the pavillion. Sucky, but that's what people who reserved the pavillion spent there money for, privacy and full use of pavillion. Last year there was someone there having a party when I had reserved the pavillion. I was a little annoyed since I spent money on the dang them, but asked the other family what time thier party would be up and explained the situation. I would never kick them out and ruin another child's birthday, but it was in my right according to the city. Luckily the pavillion was big enough to share and throw both parties at once. The other family even offered to pay for half of it (17.50) since I had to pay for it. I don't know if this helps, but some people are not so nice and may not share. Our parks have a place where they post the rules and rights of those renting the pavillion. It even post who has rights to the pavillion at what time, so other families know if it's reserved or not. I'm not sure if things are the same there, but I just wanted to give you something to think about.

 

Hey Amber! Thanks for the heads up. I will call the park tomorrow and see what they say...I think last year when I called they said it was going to be $50 but I am not sure.

I bet the kids are getting huge!! You don't have any newer pics on myspace!!

Hey Amber! Thanks for the heads up. I will call the park tomorrow and see what they say...I think last year when I called they said it was going to be $50 but I am not sure.

I bet the kids are getting huge!! You don't have any newer pics on myspace!!