Thanks Kelly. My kids have Feb, Mar and April birthdays so I am working on them all at once!

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What are you doing for the other kids b-days?

I got a couple of things for the duck party, but I don't know if I want to do something more "girly." We'll still probably do the park, I think.

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Kristy those are really cute! Great job!!

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Well, I know nobody really posts here much lately, but I will, because I'm planning the boys' party and need somewhere to organize things. And I'd love ideas from anyone who has 'em!

We are having the "Evan and JOeLYMPICS" this year. We are using DH's school as our venue. They have all sorts of gym equipment, so we will be setting up different events for all the kids to participate in.

I'm deciding whether or not I want to do the cake. Dh designed the cake to look like a torch. We have a friend who does cakes, and her fondant work is really good, so I could have her do it, but honestly, I like the idea of doing it myself (although last year I was cursing myself for attempting it with no skills whatsoever.)

I'm also debating what the mascot should be. The boys love Backyardigans and Wonder Pets, so I was thinking one of those. I'd kind of like to reserve Backyardigans for next year, though (in case they still like it.)

I don't know how much to put into the party. On the one hand, they are only turning two, so still really don't get what is going on. On the other hand, we are getting the venue for a great price, so I feel like I can put more into decor, favors, etc., and not feel bad about it.


Anyone have ideas for Olympic-themed food? We may just go w/ pizza, because we can get them for $5 each from a local pizza place. But I'd like to stick to the theme. Hmmm... debating this one.

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Sarah, sounds like a cute birthday! I can't wait to see what all you come up with!

Sarah - I would ask your friend to do the cake w/ 3 little ones. For Hannah's 3rd b-day, I am just doing cupcakes (it will be a balloon theme), just b/c it will be so easy w/ a new little one to take care of and not much sleep I'm sure. I know there is an episode of the Backyardigans where they do a tri-athalon or something, so that makes me think they would be a good mascot.

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JOEL AND EVAN OLYMPICS- 2nd BDAY (long, but detailed, for those who may want ideas for the future!)

The party is over and done with, so here's the story and some pics!

Theme: Olympics and Backyardigans
Place: DH's work (an elem. school gym)

Invite: (can't upload; will have to take photo and post later. Well worth it, DH did an awesome job!)

The party was scheduled for 3pm on a Saturday. My sister and her bf came in the night before, so we had help, thank goodness. We had all sorts of issues come up the week before the party (everyone was sick, then I got hospitalized due to gallbladder attack), so my prep timeline was thrown way off. DH wanted to clean the house the day before, and against my better judgement I helped him, rather than doing all the shopping I needed to do for the party. So Saturday morning I had to buy ALL the groceries for the party, then we had to prepare all the food! We had the "100 Metre Taco Buffet", which really just ended up a taco buffet table, since I forgot to make the sign. No biggie, though, I was the only one who knew the difference. Taco spread was a fantastic idea, and I highly recommend it. Fairly cheap, too. We also had tortilla chips, applesauce (indiv. servings), and refried beans, so those who didn't want tacos could do nachos instead (such variety, I know. )

Anyway, the morning was a huge rush. After making all the food, I still had a zillion other things to do, so it was really stressful basically until the party started. Once things got going it was fantastic and fairly stress free. Here's what we did:
Entrance: I set a table up for "Athlete Check-In". The kids each got a flag to decorate (a dulled skewer w/ a piece of white computer paper attached); they used stickers and markers to quickly decorate while waiting for everyone to arrive. I also gave the parents "score cards", which really just meant draw a star or something when kids do different things (no actual rhyme or reason to scoring.) I used these later in the day...
Opening Ceremonies: Once most guests were there, I had all the kids get in a line. Kids ranged from nearly 2-just turned 5 (plus Luke ); Dh put the Olympic theme song on the overhead, and everyone marched in a line into the gymnasium. It was SO CUTE! Actually Evan had a total meltdown, so he didn't march in, but all the other kids did, and you could tell they were so proud. It was awesome.
Competition: We wanted to incorporate Backyardigans (household favorite), so they were the mascots of the Olympics. Each character was the theme of each event: Tasha's Gymnastics, Uniqua's Bowling, Pablo's Joust, Tyrone's Scooter Showdown, and Austin's Ball Bash (or something). Pablo's Joust was pretty funny- we hung up a pinata, figuring the kids could hit it but wouldn't be able to actually break it. Well, sure enough, one of the 5-yr-olds did break it; in fact, she decapitated it! I looked over just in time to see her hit it, the body drop, and a head just hanging from a string. I immediately yelled to dh to get scissors, and we cut it down! The body didn't break, so just after the cake (later that day) I brought in the body, and the kids pulled the ribbons to get all the candy out. They were too young to attack the candy, so I called parents over to help them pick it up and put it into cups. Of course, toddlers love to pick stuff up, so they enjoyed that even before realizing the concept of candy.
There were basic instructions near the events, but parents just took their kids and modified it to whatever their skill level was. We didn't try to organize the playtime, but had it more set up like activity centers, so that there wasn't any standing around waiting for turns. It worked out so perfectly, really much better than I had anticipated, actually. DH and sis's bf set up the gym really amazing. In fact, all the money I spent on decor was a total waste, b/c it was so well designed that you didn't even bother to look at the walls. Too bad b/c I spent a lot! Oh well, live and learn. Dh is an artist, so he made giant (3 ft tall) outline pics of each character near each event. He should have done them in color, but waited until the last minute, so we just kept them as outlines instead. Again, would have loved to do it the way I wanted, but nobody knew the difference except for me.
(You can't tell from the photos, but we had 15 kids in total.)
TWO YEARS OLD!


(Gymnastics was really a mat maze and jumping through hoops.)


Food: After about 40 minutes of competition, we went into the attached cafeteria and had our taco buffet. We had some balls set out, so when kids finished eating, they were able to run around and play, which worked out nicely so everyone could eat at their own pace.
While guests ate, I collected score cards. I went into the gym and put a big finish line across the room. After eating (timing was probably bad, but oh well), I called all the dad's and their athletes up for one final event, the Horse Races. The dads all got down on their hands and knees against the wall, the kids served as the jockeys standing next to them. I blew the whistle, and the kids had to push and encourage their dads forward to race across the finish line. At least, that was the plan. Leave it to men, it turned into a real competition, and they pretty much raced on their own, with kids running after them. It was the FUNNIEST thing I have ever seen! They all got SO into it. When the dad won, I went to his five year olds and told them that their dad was the WINNER. They were so cute... "DAD! You WON the RACE!!!" and were SO excited for him. The 2nd place winner's 4-year-old nearly cried, but I convinced her 2nd is a good number b/c it is 2nd birthday party, so she was happy with that. I really had no idea the race would be so popular, and contemplated whether we should actually do it (poor old dad's and their knees), but I'm really happy we did.

CAKE: The competition was over, so time for cake! After lots of deliberating, I had decided to go ahead and make the cake myself after all. I worked my fanny off, and it turned out really well. I'm proud, considering I have zero baking skills, and zero decorating skills. I researched fondant online, and talked to a friend who makes cakes for some advice. Then I just went for it. The end result was good. Not perfect, and obviously a beginner's work, but I was very proud of my first attempt at my own cake (last year I had major help from a friend. These are the only two cakes I've ever made, though.) The cake itself was lemon cake with a raspberry filling. Cake from a box, filling I made myself (found a recipe online.) Flavor went over really well. The night before the party, I realized my cake wouldn't actually feed everyone, so I called my stepmom and she agreed to do a sheet cake. She used to do fun cakes growing up, so I knew she'd do something neat. She did- it was fantastic, too.

Nonnie's Cake:

My Fondant Cake (in case you can't tell, that is a torch on top of the cake. It's just rice krispy shaped and covered in fondant. We wanted to incorporate the torch, so this is how we did it!)
I had some trouble making the characters, but I was pleased with how they turned out.




Closing Ceremonies: We ended the party with the closing ceremonies. On the scorecards, the parents had each written one thing their child did well. Dh had set up some mats as a podium, so I used a microphone and called each child up, one by one, announcing what they had excelled at. You could just see the amazement and excitement in their eyes as I called out their name, and they walked up, Dh put a medal around their neck, and had them stand up on the podium while everyone cheered. It was so incredibly sweet. The twins were too busy running around to pay attention (and DH and I were both occupied, so we couldn't wrangle them down to do so), so they didn't really care when we called out their names, but all the other kids were totally into it.
We finished, I gave "prizes" (goodie bags, which were cups filled with all the usual tattoos, stickers, candy, etc.) Their pinata candy went in these cups as well.

Party ended, the twins were exhausted, we cleaned up and went back home. My parents, plus sis and her bf came back with us, and we sat around and talked, and the boys slowly opened presents. This was such a good way to do things. All the kids were exhausted at the party, so I knew opening gifts in front of everyone would have been a waste for them. The twins enjoyed opening gifts slowly, playing with their new toys for awhile, then opening something else... we were able to easily keep track of who gave what, throw out wrapping paper and packaging, etc. and it just worked out so nicely this way. They finished a few minutes before bedtime, and once they were done, went to bed with no complaints- they were exhausted!

All in all, it was a great day. I wasn't able to take pics b/c I left my camera battery at home (grrr), but my mom and aunt took pictures. I wouldn't have had time, so it was just as well. I also THOUGHT that I had forgotten my video camera, but realized after the party that I had it all along. My dad taped a little, though, so at least a small amount is on film.

It was a fabulous 2nd bday party. I was so happy to have it done and over with and not have to worry about it for a whole 'nother year... and then I realized Luke's bday is in May, so pretty soon I need to get started planning his 1st party! Well worth all the work, though!

Here's a pic from their 1st bday; what a difference a year makes!


Sorry about photo sizes, PB wasn't cooperating!

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That first pic with both of them on the climbing thing is SO stinkin cute.

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So I'm a little slow in finding this thread, but WOW! Sarah, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your party!!! I might just steal the whole idea for D's 3rd party.

His 2nd party is already reserved to be a YoGabba Gabba party. DH's idea, now I just need to figure out the rest of the details...

Perhaps we can flip-flop the themes. Oh well, I've got 6 more months to think about it. Ha!!!

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Thanks, Jo! I'm currently stressing over Luke's party (can't believe it is just over two months away.) Tomorrow we are booking the site (nothing fancy, just a room that can accomodate our crowd), and I've finally decided that we are going to do a safari theme. I was going to do classic toys, and was really into it, but his room decor is safari (baby safari, so pastel cartoony stuff), and I guess I just am feeling like I want to keep him a baby as long as possible. Plus, I'm excited about making another cake. I actually LOVED making the cake last year, so now I can't wait to try again.

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Are you willing to make the cake? I was just thinking that a YoGabba cake could be really fun to make like the set that the DJ stands over. Sheet cake could be the ground, covered in simple fondant, then (if you don't want to try making the crazy characters), you could probably buy the characters and stand them. You could use a cardboard backdrop, and use fondant or gumpaste or something to make the scenery. Could be really cute!
And of course you'd have to have a dance party! Hubby could go as the DJ guy... ooh, I'm really liking this theme! (I hate the show though... it's a bit creepy...)

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jo- i never really seen the show so i cant help too much. sorry
lukes bday is about 3 months away, i guess i should start planning. we also have to start planning izzies baptism. he likes the wiggles but i dont think i could stand anymore wiggly time lol! im pretty clueless (my brain refuses to be creative) any ideas ladies.

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I didn't even know the Wiggles were still on tv! What else is he into? Animals, events, etc.?

As for the baptism, we just had the immediate family come over after the baptism for a lunch. We had it catered since it was so small of a group, but I made the cake. We just hung out and the older kids swam.

I THINK I have an idea forming for D's 2nd party. It'll be over Labor Day weekend since his birthday is that Sunday. We will have the Yo Gabba Gabba gang as the theme. Each of them has a certain like/dislike and/or personality so that will dictate what he do.
IE: Muno is the one who likes bugs, so we can get the small plastic bugs and bury them in the sandbox and have a bug hunt. Just an idea, mind you...
Foofa loves flowers so maybe we'll get some seeds and have the kids plant them as favors to take home.
Brobee is unsure of anything new so we'll have the menu be all "classic favorites".
Plex is the robot so we can have a robot dance contest. Should be hilarious!
Tootie is the caring, sensitive one so I'm still thinking up something cute for her.

Anyway, those are some ideas. I also thought about having a "funny face contest" since that is one of the segments on the show. I can take pictures of each child making their funniest face and print them on my photo printer and display them for all to vote on!

I want to have someone be the "dancey dance" guest and teach us a few dance moves. I want it to be someone funny or unexpected, though, maybe I can have someone dress up like DJ Lance??? That would blow D's mind!!!

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Jo--I just saw this, You are so funny planning D's party already! I guess it is not that far away, though Can you believe they will be 2 this year!!! Holy cow. Sounds like the Yo Gabba Gabba party could be really cute. I have never seen the show, but I like that there are so many events that fit in. I dont know what we will do. Ely doesnt watch tv, so that is out. Well, lately his daddy has turned it on a few times, the only thing he has shown any interest in is Word World. I am not really against letting him watch a little bit now that he is older, but he loves to read more, so I push that a bit. Maybe I could do a theme from a book? OOOh, Maybe an Eric Carle party--he LOVES Eric Carle books (Especially "From Head to Toe"--he does all the stuff--and "1,2,3 to the Zoo"--he makes up little "stories" for each page-so cute) Now that they have all of those Eric Carle games, I bet they make some cute stuff?? We have tons of time, I dont know why I am even allowing myself to go down this road yet! KUP on D's plans--your party last year was SOO cute!

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Krissy

Well, as usual I think I was thinking too grandiose in my party planning. Looking over my plans I think I've got too much stuff planned for two year olds and almost two year olds to do during the party. So....I've adapted my plans a bit.

We are still going to do a Gabba theme, however we are going to make the main focus on D's favoritest Gabba character, Toodee! The colors will be dark teal, light teal and pops of chocolate brown. I'll try to find some sort of inspiration board to help visualize it all. Let me go play and see what I find!!

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K, I found some cakes that "inspire" me. Ours would have toodee on top with little Gabba figures around the bottom. I'll make the characters out of rolled starbursts and make the Toodee out of clay so he can keep her in his room.

We will have an inflatable swimming pool with a little water in it and have a magnetic fishing game. (Toodee likes fishing)

We will also have the kids make their funniest face and take a photo of them to hang on the funny faces gallery wall. I'll send these out with the Thank You cards.

For favors I want to get teal blue sand pails and fill them with Gabba related things. A bug ring for Muno, seed packet for Foofa, treat for Brobee (who always wants a party in his tummy), maybe a CD with music for DJ Lance, a robot trinket for Plex and an oversized Toodee cookie.

I'd like to have grilled cheese sandwich fingers and alphabet soup. Think that'll be okay??

Here's the cake pictures:

Attached Images

	bdaytoodee.jpg (32.4 KB, 9 views)
	toodee.jpg (22.6 KB, 7 views)

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Jo--Sounds great! you are so creative!

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Krissy

I know I'm not in the right place since Kieran is only going to be 1 not 2 but I figured since there was so much action in this thread hopefully you wouldn't mind I really have to get moving on planning his party since its less than 2 months away now!! I'm just not sure how big a deal I want to make. It is such a big milestone but on the other hand a big party is really just for the adults not the baby at this point.

Our apt is really not big enough to have that many people so I was thinking it would be easier to do it at a place like the Little Gym. But he doesn't have that many little kid friends so it would be kind of dumb to have mostly adults there wouldn't it? Then I was thinking of maybe doing it outside - one of my girlfriends just had her son's party at a park and it was sooooo cute. But Kieran's birthday is in August and I don't want people wilting. I know I really need to choose a venue soon especially since depending on where we have it determines how many/who to invite.... and I can't even send out save-the-dates until I know that.

Where did most of you have your kids first birthday party and how many people/kids did you invite? Also considering their age, how do you work around their napping schedule - whats the best time for the party?

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Irene- Krissy had Ely's 1st party at a hotel pool. That could be a way to go for you, as well. The water could help folks stay cool and the kids that do come would love it! You don't have to worry about clean up or not having enough room. Just an idea...

As for the time, we are running into that issue, too. Most of D's friends are on one nap but D naps around 11-1 time slot. From what I can gather, most of the others are sleeping from 1-3. Three seems kind of late for a party, no? Maybe not...

We had D's party in the afternoon right at lunch time. He was still taking two naps and that worked best for him. I didn't want a cranky pants so we had it right after he woke up. That also helped us get last minute things done before the guests arrived.

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Irene--Elys first party was a hit for everyone involved, and very little work for me. Here is what we did (keep in mind it made sense for us to stay at the hotel because we had his party in my hometown since that is where most of our family and close friends live)
Ely usually napped at that age from 8-9:30 and then again at 1:00ish. We did it from 10-noon (which I thought a lot of people wouldnt come, but almost everyone we invited showed up!) on a Saturday, which just happened to be Halloween. We did it at the hotel pool, and the invites said "bathing suits OR costumes welcome", so some kids came in costume, and other people came prepared to swim. Many of our friends also brought their suits and hung out in the hot tub. We did a Lion theme (since that was Elys costume for Halloween) and I made lion cupcakes which were super cute, had balloons, and threw a bunch of beach balls in the pool. I just set up a couple of the hotel tables with yellow tablecloths and lion plates, napkins, beer (yes, they drank it all even though it was so early in the morning! We couldnt believe it!), juice, a big bowl of goldfish, and the cupcakes. Then we ordered Pizza Hut and just put out pizzas. It couldnt have been easier for me, and the kids there had a blast. We know quite a few babies Elys age, so it was fun for their mom or dad to take them in the pool, and many of the adults just hung out around the pool at the tables and such. I will attach a few pics

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	ELY birthday FRIDAY 018.JPG (54.9 KB, 7 views)
	ELY 1st birthday PARTY~ 003.JPG (42.4 KB, 8 views)
	ELY 1st birthday PARTY~ 007.JPG (36.0 KB, 9 views)
	ELY 1st birthday PARTY~ 121.JPG (48.7 KB, 7 views)

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Krissy