inspired: cereal bar birthday party

seen: a cereal mixer birthday party on Mer Mag

Every detail of this birthday party (guests in PJs, build-your-own cereal favors, magic milk straws) is clever and awesome.  And especially fun to see that her little 5 year old boy celebrated the exact same day as my little 5 year old boy.  It's all happy.

we had a messy party!

My Cole turned five on Saturday, which means we had a very messy party.  

confetti is messy

aprons were handed out as each child arrived

messy jell-o blocks.  (a hit!)

messy finger painting with colored shaving cream 

(I should have required the aprons)

messy make-your-own banana splits

we read Mr. Messy

messy thank yous: silly string, finger paint, pixie stix

What we did: 

Jell-O blocks 

Messy snacks (pirate's booty, muddy buddies, carrots & dip, apples & caramel and chocolate milk)

Finger painting with colored shaving cream 

A super-sized surprise ball (with messy surprises: sidewalk chalk, bubbles, stickers, mini squirt guns..)

Make-your-own messy banana splits

Mr. Messy

It was exciting and manageable (thanks to help!  next time, less kids..) and possibly the perfect theme for a group of 4 and 5 year olds.  

*****

See the messy party invites here.  

a messy party: invitations.

seen: messy party invitations, finger painted by Cole.

We finished these last night and are anxious to send them out to his 14 favorite friends for a real deal birthday party (our first).  The idea started with these, Cole quickly & excitedly approved- with many of his own ideas- and then the party planning began.  We're on the countdown!

(p.s. The first thing Brad told me when I told him "an indoor messy party!" was that it was my antithesis.  Do you think I'll survive?  In the name of love..)

county fair party

seen: county fair details

Thanks for another one, Hip Hip Hooray!  I can't decide if I love the tiny petting zoo or pig applique tees more.  It's the perfect unisex idea. 

inchmark's potted pumpkin pies

seen: potted pumpkin pies by inchmark

For the love of pumpkin season, quickly read this tutorial if you're on the search for a fun but traditional Halloween-ish (or Fall-ish) party dessert or favor. 

diy pinata

seen: d.i.y. piñatas

Giddy Giddy blog: We've known piñatas all our lives, but doesn't Teri suddenly transform them into fantastic?  We could go anywhere with this.  D.I.Y. tutorial here.  

inspired: party favors

I truly love this party idea by You are My Fave featured on Black Eiffel.  Truly.

diy encrypted invites

seen: encrypted invitations

I still love encrypted messages and think any child would have a party just opening this invitation-- the perfect prelude to a secret agent birthday party, maybe.  

inspired: a balloon cake

seen: a balloon cake by inchmark

super hero party

seen: super hero party

Of course it's been done before, but the yellow & black, zaps and pows are really great + customizable.  I especially love the idea for say, 2 year olds, when maybe they don't  have theme requests yet...

inspired: forget laundry blog

seen: pieces of a great Secret Agent party

This featured Secret Agent party (above) brought me to this blog and I found these projects that I think are especially creative (& simple- my running theme).. and just suit us.  I'm excited to make:

seen: mr. pizza face

seen: paper bag mini books

seen: "fresh lobster"

diy special picnic details

seen: DIY custom napkins & chopstick wraps

Twig & Thistle for Amy Atlas's Sweet Designs: for my next birthday, I would love an Asian picnic.  An outdoor meal with special details is my kind of happiness project.    

diy mini balloon invites

seen: mini helium balloon invites

on hand + modern: you can't have too much of a good thing, right?  These first birthday invitations made their deserving rounds yesterday but the idea is so perfect that I want a record of this kind of genius.  I've come to realize that simple is usually just right.  

[First seen on you are my fave.  Tips added by Jordan Ferney.]

inspired: circus party

seen: circus party by ACME Party Box

printing on fabric

Printing on fabric, the lazy way by cucumbersome: she says freezer paper + fabric + inkjet printer = banner.  Go think of the possibilities!  Endless, really.  I'm very excited about this one...

"okey-dokey"

seen: plan toys mushroom kaleidoscope, mustache crayons

super mario brothers stickers, klik-on wii candy dispenser

We had our Super Mario birthday party per Cole's 4 year old request.  It was simple: we ventured to San Francisco's exploratorium with the 3 cousins and grandma who was visiting.  We threw together fun party favors (see above), made box lunches with all the containers (and stripy straws) from Garnish, tried our hands at fondant (which doesn't look too fancy.. but those Ina Garten coconut cupcakes that we make every year- fantastic) and put together homemade party invitations.  Not much of a production but he loved the little details and that makes me happy.  

birthday morning

brainstorming a mario wii birthday

seen: super mario cupcakes

Cole is turning four at the end of March and we're brainstorming ideas.  The most obvious: Super Mario, Wii edition.  [He sleeps with a Mario doll and playing Wii is a special treat.  He may be the biggest/youngest fan.]  The party will likely be small (family), but that won't deter us from cool cupcakes and an equally cool boxed lunch to take to the zoo or park (if weather permits), to then come home a game of Mario and Sonic and the Olympic Winter Games (a highly requested birthday gift).  A celebration with some of his favorite things. 

Ideas/inspiration:

seen: game controller cookies

[also see super mario first birthday party theme here]

seen: super mario brothers nintendo cupcakes

seen: nintendo wii remote birthday cake

seen: diy paper mock-up of wii remote

seen: Wii KLICK-ON candy dispensers

Turns out, when you're searching for a Mario + Wii theme, the ideas in the blogosphere aren't lacking.  Could be perfect and playful for a new four year old, right!  

diy oscar party

seen: DIY oscar party

twig & thistle: Kathleen does it again (you're on my list of people to meet, Kathleen): not only gives us the greatest idea, but all the tools to pull it off on our own.  ("Just print, cut and enjoy.")  The tin foil confetti may be my favorite part.  

Now dreaming about the days when I throw parties...