Posts Tagged ‘Birthday Party’
This party is a long time coming. Almost 3 years ago, in fact. That tells you have far I am behind on some of my evergreen posts. You will see those posts mixed in with more recent parties over the coming months. Many of these parties have never been seen anywhere! I’m excited to finally be sharing these fun Rock Climbing Birthday Party Ideas with you!
→Continue reading for more details + photos
Today my little boy is SIX! I can’t even believe it. He didn’t even weight six pounds when we brought him home from the hospital on Christmas day. He was the best Christmas present ever! I don’t think anything could top his arrival!!!
Since this month is so busy and his birthday is SO CLOSE to Christmas, we celebrated his birthday last weekend. That’s right, if you are keeping track, we celebrated two of our three boys’ birthdays in just two weeks time. I’m a bit burnt out! Thankfully, I started the planning process months ago. But I must confess that the actual execution was a little delayed! Oh well, it all got done.
I went with a classic, primary color Lego theme. Skyler LOVES Legos. I must admit that I am not very fond of them though because I usually find them all over my house. I mean all over. In the couch, under the rug, on the floor, everywhere! If you’ve ever stepped on a Lego, you are probably not a fan either. Plus, we have a little one crawling around who puts everything, and I mean everything in his mouth. Try being on constant Lego patrol!
Regardless of my loathing for Legos, Skyler loves them. He will sit for hours and build them. It’s amazing to me. He follows the instructions and builds amazing cars, planes, and anything else with wheels. He also “free” builds and just comes up with his own items. I’m always amazed by his creativity! I found the PERFECT centerpiece for the dessert table. It’s both functional and the PERFECT decor for the theme. It is a Lego Storage Head. It sorts the Legos by size and store them. I’m already liking Legos a bit more now!
We had Skyler’s party at Sky High Sports, an indoor trampoline place. Did I mention, that is where I broke my arm? I obviously don’t think the place is unsafe or I wouldn’t have had Skyler’s party there. In fact, I didn’t even break my arm on the trampoline. It wasn’t until I was coming off the trampoline, tripped and landed on the platform, that I hurt myself. I was forbidden to jump at the party. My husband didn’t want to suffer through another 4+ weeks with a handicap wife. Who could blame him? I obliged!
The kids spent the first hour playing, the second hour was spent in the party room. I had planned on creating a PVC backdrop for Emerson’s party, but never got it. Thankfully, with the extra two weeks, I was able to finish it and use it at Skyler’s party. I always think my parties are missing a backdrop. For this party, I kept it simple, but I have a ton of ideas for the next parties I throw. If you’d like to build your own backdrop, here are the instructions I followed. It was super easy (because Lincoln was the one who physically built it! I’m sure you could handle it or talk your hubby into helping you out). It was really reasonable too. All the PVC piping was less than $15. I purchased a queen size sheet for the “fabric” portion on the backdrop.
I used my amazing table cloth that I purchased from TableVogue. I also used the same table cloth at Emerson’s party! It is so functional. I can hide all of my party stuff under the table and out of the way so no one can see how much of a mess I am. It’s machine washable too! Definitely a must buy! Did I mention if fits on the Costco utility/buffet tables?
We (again, when I say “we”, I mean Lincoln. He no longer trusts me with spray paint in the garage) spray painted bubble wrap green to resemble a Lego building board. I got the idea from the adorable Lego party that Katena threw. I saw her post on Stylish Children Parties. She had some great ideas that I borrowed.
I found these super cute Lego cake pops on Bakerella. It was a guest post from Amy of Living Locurto. My sister Jamie and my amazing friend Laura were nice enough to make these for me. I think they did an amazing job. What do you think?
We ended up making the marshmallow version. I used mini chocolate chips for the eyes and black licorice ropes for the mouth.
Skyler requested banana cupcakes and I made funfetti to please the rest of the group. Since I was still one arm down before the party, I had Charynn from TwoSugarBabies create Lego fondant cupcake toppers. I must say, I LOVE the taste of fondant. I know, I am weird, but I think it tastes amazing. I was super happy to eat these adorable Lego toppers. She did an amazing job on them! She was a pleasure to work with too.
I also purchased white popcorn boxes and just embellished them with a matching label. These were the perfect size and looked adorable on the table. I followed the recipe I saw on Rookie Cookie, but instead of the toffee bits, I substituted mini m & m’s. It was so quick and easy to make and was a real crowd pleaser.
Candy is my favorite food group. It’s a food group, right? What? Corn syrup and sugar are not a food group? Well, they are in my book. No dessert table is complete without a little candy. I bought the holiday peanut butter m & m’s and picked out the brown and orange ones since they didn’t match the party colors. They looked really fun and the kids loved them. I also made. Yes, that’s right, I made Lego Minifigures Gummies. I bought the candy mold at the Lego store. It’s silacone and super easy to use. I followed this gummie recipe and made Lego Gummies in Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow. I was really happy with how they turned out.
To go along with the theme, I bought Lego candies that actually snap together, Lego Minifig crayons, and Lego Minifig soaps. I made sure to label all of them so that the kids didn’t eat the wrong items. I know the soap smelled amazing, but I doubt it tastes good. Didn’t want anyone to eat something by mistake. I also purchased several of the Fun Party Favor Lego Packs from Amazon. There are 8 in a box, 4 each of planes and cars. The kids really seemed to like these.
I’d love to know your thoughts! I know all the kids had a great time!!!
Happy Birthday Skyler! We love and adore you! Even though it’s hard for me to see you grow up, I love every step of it and I’m so happy to be your Mommy!
I’m taking some time off of party planning. No more parties for me until February! Yay! Jack is having a “rock star” birthday party! It’s completely fitting for Jackson!
**I’d like to give a special thank you to all of my friends and family who helped me with this party. I seriously feel like I have a “team” of people who help me get ready for each party. With three little kids I need all hands on deck. Lincoln, thank you for being an amazing husband and putting up with me through the month of December. I know it’s a crazy time. Thank you for all of your help! Laura, thank you for your constant inspiration, support, and endless help! I owe you, but I have a feeling that I will be repaying you tenfold this summer. Jamie, thank you for always be there for me and willing to pitch in when and wherever I need you! You’re a wonderful sister and I am going to owe you many help with your children’s future parties (when you have children, that is). Kellie and Elise, thank you so much for coming and helping set up! We couldn’t have gotten everything set up in that short of time without you! I really, really appreciate it!!!**
Vendor List: All paper products (Invite, placecards, labels, etc.): Modern Moments Designs Table Cloth: TableVogue Backdrop Instructions: DIY Green Screens and Backdrops I probably spend $14 or so on the frame. CHEAP!!! Caramel Corn Recipe: Rookie Cookie Lego Cupcake Toppers: Two Sugar Babies Lego MiniFig Crayons: Polkadotty Lego Minfig Soaps: BrokenRoadFarm Lego Fun Party Favors: Lego Fun Favor Pack Lego Storage Head: Lego Storage Head I purchased our at Toys R Us, but I don’t see it on their website. It was around $30. Lego Silicone Mold: Minifigure Ice Cube Mold
***Warning!!!! Many photos to follow. May not be suitable to be viewed on your portable electronic devices. Hope you enjoy all the little details!***
Let’s start at the beginning. A month or so ago, I decided that I MUST throw my adorable husband a surprise 30th birthday party! He was less than excited about turning 30. Personally, I don’t see what the big deal is. It’s just 30! We had attended one of his friends surprise parties a year or so ago and he mentioned that he never thought I could throw him a surprise party. I’m not sure why, but you know me. I am always up for a challenge! Que surprise party step one. The invitation. Here it is!
I decided to go with a cassette tape theme which was very reminiscent of the 1980’s. I remember mixed tapes so fondly. In fact, I think Lincoln even made me a mixed tape. Maybe I have that backwards? At any rate, I thought a tape in orange and teal would be a great theme for me to run with.
Here is a photo of the birthday boy himself! Happy Birthday Honey!
Without further ado, here are more photos from my husband’s 30th Surprise Birthday Party! I have a ton of photos, but here are the ones that I think are worthy. Check out the food. . .
**So many people have asked for the modern cheese ball recipe. Here it is: Modern Cheese Ball Recipe. I made it with goat cheese, and I must confess, it wasn’t very good. Anyone know of another soft cheese that you could substitute it for? I think they would be better with another cheese. This recipe and several other ideas came from In Style Parties (The Complete Guide to Easy, Elegant Entertaining). Also, the recipe for the Sweet and Spicy Mac and Cheese is one of my all time favorites. It’s super easy to make and feeds a crowd. Here is the recipe for the Paninis in Paper. There are three different varieties and they are so yummy. This wonderful recipe came from Fabulous Parties: Food and Flowers for Elegant Entertaining.**
Doesn’t that all look so good? You can’t have good food without good drinks!!
You know my favorite thing to make is dessert. There was plenty of dessert there from candy to cookies. The cookies were designed by me and printed by Hello Frosting. The amazingly yummy Oreo Pops were done by Kim with Sweeties by Kim, another fellow etsy seller.
We had guests write messages to the birthday boy. An easy idea that is so fun and decorative too.
I made this cute little dessert stand from the dollar tree. Check out this tutorial for more instructions (thanks Julie for the great find). I don’t like it when things are all the same size, so I did my own variation. Super cheap and it added a nice touch. Who knew you could spray paint glass?
Here are some up close photos of the cookies. Always a good choice. . .
My awesome cousin Jena packaged up some cookies for our guests to enjoy at home (if they even made it home and were not devoured in the car).
Here’s a closer look at the Personalize Oreo Pops. They were also ready for the guest to grab-and-go! What a tasty treat and a great way to remember the fun times that were had by everyone.
Here are some other details and some behind the scene photos that you might like to see.
Laura and Kristen were nice enough to help out. Thank you guys so much!!! They were preparing Paninis in the garage!!! Hey, you do what you’ve got to do, right?
A Surprise Party wouldn’t be much of a party without guests, right? Well, there were plenty of people who attended Lincoln’s party. In fact, we even had some of our dear friends, Dan, Heather, and their adorable daughter Skylar, drive out from Utah to surprise Lincoln. You will never know how much that meant to both of us. Thank you guys so much. Thank you to all the guests who attended both near and far. All of you are very dear or our hearts.
Oh! My Laura! Isn’t she cute? If you follow my blog, you probably remember her from the engagement photo cookie post. Thank you for all of your help from planning, to the execution and set up, and for letting me borrow your fabulous party planning books where many of these wonderful ideas came from. You’re the best.
Lincoln also received many amazing gifts for his birthday!! Sorry we don’t have a photo of those, but you are just going to have to trust me on this one! However, my gift to Lincoln was also a surprise and didn’t come until a few days later. Sorry, it was the best I could do. Here is his cute, overjoyed, face!!!
I found a PERFECT matching case on etsy too. It was destiny!
Now, here I am post surprise! I’m so happy that I was able to pull it off and he literally had NO CLUE! Hahaha! I got you honey!! I don’t ever want to throw another surprise party again!! It was so much work and really hard to keep my big mouth shut.
*My headband was courtesy of Mia at Dolce Vita Mia. Check out all of her amazing headbands. I’d love to work with Mia on a giveaway soon. What do you think Mia???
SPECIAL THANK YOUS!!!!
I couldn’t have done it without so many incredible people. Since this is my blog, I am going to take the opportunity to thank them all now! First to my wonderful parents for providing us with the perfect place to have the party. Thank you Mom and Dad for all of your help and hard work to get the house ready! Jamie, thank you for spending countless hours helping me get ready for the party! You really saved me this time!! Laura, you’re the best. I will totally be paying you back helping get ready for your wedding next summer. Jena, thank you for shopping with me and helping me set up! You’re a life saver. Dan, Heather, and Skylar too. Thank you so much for driving all night to come to Linc’s party. Dan, thank you for dipping all the pretzels, picking up the balloons, and everything else you did for me that day! Heather, thank you for helping wrap all the napkins, put together the sucker container, and all the other millions of things I demanded that you do. You were so great! Skylar, thank you for loaning your Mommy and Daddy to me and for putting up with the long car ride. Nancy, thank you for keeping the boys so we could set up in peace. Kristen, thank you for helping make paninis, watching the boys, and everything else you did to help! Ryan, thank you for dipping the orange slices in chocolate. I am pretty sure I ate the majority of them. Tiffany, thank you for taking many of these photos and making the awesome “mixed tapes.” Thank you to anyone else I may of forgotten! Really, I appreciated all the help that I received. I really could not have done it with out you guys and I know that Lincoln was so thankful that you all donated your time and energy for him!! We love you all!!!
Okay, okay! I must confess. . . I’ve been telling a few white lies lately! Actually, I told hundreds, but it was all in good fun. My adorable husband, Lincoln, turned 30 on Sunday! On Friday, I threw him a surprise birthday party! I have so many details that I’d like to share with you, but I wanted to give you a few “teaser” photos. I’m working on getting them all edited and doing a mega post on his party!!
Keep a look out for the full post with all the juicy details!
Jessica