{Real Party} Camouflage Fun!

So we all know there are lots of blogs and sites out there that feature the perfect party - the staged ones, the ones photographed by expensive photographers, the ones that could be featured on TLC's Outrageous Kid's Parties.  And for me, as a full-time working mom - full-time employed and full-time mom, I drive myself crazy trying to reproduce something that frankly, is not real.  Don't get me wrong, I love to get inspiration from those (staged) parties, but I need to bring myself back to reality and remind myself perfect is not real.  And perfect does not mean fun for kids which in the end, that is what a party is meant for.  They do not care if the sweets table is perfectly symmetrical, if there are labels on food they know perfectly well what it is or if the invites "set the tone" for the party.  They just want to have fun.

If nothing else, I hope that real moms like me get inspired to do something special, not perfect, but special for their kids and that their kids are just as excited about their party as they are.  Fortunately for me, I have a great friend who I was able to feature her real party a few weeks ago (check it out here). I am so excited to bring you another real mom's party that she threw for her son.  I met Melissa threw my friend Tina (who knew, another party planning momma named Melissa!).  She bounced some ideas off of me for her son Charlie's camouflage party a month ago and claimed she was not a party planner.  I think the pictures tell another story :)  This party is adorable and I'm told was a ton of fun!  Here is the party in Melissa's own words.  Details of the party and sources are at the end.

"I am a total novice... what I did learn and had to calm myself on the day of the party was I HAVE to have a backdrop for the treat table!  Such a mistake that I didn't but it was fun for my first attempt :)"  Melissa picked the camo them because, "that is what Charlie said he wanted was an "army" party which to him meant army guys and camo!"  She said she was "dreading [the theme] at first because I thought it would be hard but must be what lots of boys like" because "who would have thought it was that easy to find camo stuff!"

For the activities, the kids "went on a "mission" with clues to find their prizes at the end. That is where they got a bag with the sunglasses and gummy army jets. Then they were each issued a marshmallow gun (painted camo and pink camo for the girls) and we had a marshmallow war!"

  

Melissa definitely did not skimp on the sweets or the favors for the kids!

These marshmallow guns were made and painted by Charlie's dad!!!  How cool is that!

Favors:
* Gummy Jet Fighters & Gummy Army Guys - Albanese Confectionery

* Camo Sunglasses - Children's Place
* Favor Pack - Party City

* Rock Candy, Candy Sticks and most other candy - The Bulk Food Store  

* Canteens for kids to drink from along with dog tags - Party City 

Invites: Vista Print 

Boys Shirts: Maddie Bug Baby on Etsy

Decorations:

* Labels made by Melissa with her Toy Story cartridge for her Cricut.

* Banner:  Vista Print

* Camo Pennants:  Party City

Sweets:

*Vegan Cupcakes for the Birthday boy from Bake Cupcakery and Catering.

 *Cakepops, Dipped Pretzels and Dipped Marshmallows, made by Melissa

Congrats Melissa on such a great party!  Can't wait to see what you do next!
 

Party Prep for a Party for Adults!

So yes, I am having what some would contend is a politically incorrect party.  But, it wasn't my idea :)  Last October my fabulous hair stylist told me about a Trailer Park Party she was having for Halloween.  After hearing all of her ideas, I was hooked and determined I needed to have one of those!  So, we planned to have our Trailer Park Princess Party in early March.  However, the party had to be postponed due certain tumultuous events taking place here in Wisconsin - you may have seen the news...

So, with life not yet back to normal, but in need of a break from this awful reality we are living in, the party is back on for August.  I'll admit, it hasn't received as much attention as I give the kids' parties.  But then again, how much party prep can you do for this theme?  Isn't the point not to do too much party prep? 

I have my menu:  Mac and Cheese, Hot Dogs, Pork Rines, Cheese Puffs, Bologna and Cheese Sandwiches, Spaghettios, Easy Cheese and Ritz Crackers and Beef Jerky.  For the desserts, of course nothing less than a Hostess treats cake. 

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For the adult beverages, my husband insists that he get some sort of beer that people will actually drink.  I was pushing for Milwaukee's Best or Pabst Blue Ribbon (or as we call it in Wisconsin, PBR).  No go...  Of course for the ladies, I can think of nothing better than a fine box of Franzia and some Wapatoolie.  (If you've never heard of Wapatoolie - it seems to be a Midwest college party drink, (although some call it Trash Can Punch) here is some information to enlighten you.)  For those who prefer the non-alcoholic beverages, Mountain Dew and a fine Kool-Aid seems appropriate.

But what can my guests drink these fine beverages in?  I happened to stumble across the perfect solution when I was in our local chocolatier (no less) looking for treats for Ethan's carnival candy table.  There these were - Redneck Wine Glasses!!!

Okay, so the $13.95 price tag was just a little steep for me.  Upon further inspection, it was apparent I could make these fine treasures myself.  For my supplies, I needed glass candlesticks from the dollar store, Mason jars and some epoxy glue. So for less than $2.00 a wine glass, here is what I made!

Actually, I think they are kind of cute.  If you have any fun ideas for this fun, adult party, I'd love to hear them!  Happy party planning!

Here Comes the Carnival!

Ethan's 4th birthday is just under two months away and I already feel like I am running out of time to get things done!  This year he is having a carnival party.  What a fun, fun, fun theme!!!!  I have to tell you he is SO excited!  The poor boy has to suffer through his cousins' birthdays (all girls) and his sister's before his rolls around.  After every girly themed birthday party, he'll say to me in the sweetest voice, "My party next Momma?"  And I say, "Yes, Ethan, your party is next." 

Ethan is really one of THE sweetest little boys.  He will defend and protect his Momma with all his heart and is kind to everyone.  He can make friends at the McDonald's playland.  I am just in love with him!  So, as every momma wants to do, I really want to make his birthday party special.

In case it wasn't obvious with the ice cream party we had, I am in LOVE with the color combo of light blue/teal and red.  That is the color theme we I we are going with for the party :)  I also want to try and give it a vintage fell.  Not sure if I'll succeed at that, but I am up to the challenge!

Fortunately, I was lucky enough to win a giveaway by Pink Peppermint Paper and was able to get the most adorable carnival invites for the party.  Eleanor was so great to work with and I couldn't be happier with how the invites turned out! 

I also turned to my friend Betsy from Belly Feathers for adorable vintage carnival signs for the parties.  These are just the cutest.  You really need to check her shop out!  I can't wait to receive these.

Unfortunately, I cannot pair down the amount of great ideas running in my head for this party, so this blog is going to be consumed by carnival party ideas in the coming months :)

{Real Party} Look Whoooo's 3!

Amidst the absolutely sweltering heat we are now experiencing here in Wisconsin, my girlfriend Tina held an adorable birthday party for her sweet little guy, Griffin, this past weekend.  She had a lot of super cute DIY touches which prove that moms can put some really great stuff together to make their kids parties special.  I just love her Owl theme!  Here are some of the cute ideas she put together.

The cutie birthday boy Griffin and his adorable sister Olivia.  You can't see all of her dress, but it was adorable!  Griffin's shirt and Olivia's dress are from Etsy.

Tina MADE this centerpiece herself!  She made a tissue pom and then used a Cricut to make the owl and the number 3.  She then attached the owl and the 3 to the pom.  So adorable!!!  I'm trying to convince her to go into business :)

Tina made a poster for Griffin showing a pic or two from each month during the year to show how he changed throughout the year.  (Wonder where she got that idea from :)

How cute is that cake?  Tina has been using the same local baker for all of her kids' parties.  Love it!  And I bet it was yummy!

Okay, so these amazed me!  Tina made these owl cake pops herself (and the sprinkle ones too)!  She used her babycakes cake pop maker and then dipped the cake pops in chocolate, added mini-chocolate chips for the ears, mini M&M's for the hands, dipped the cake pop again and used pieces of a candy necklace for the eyes.  I have to say, she may not be Bakerella, but these are pretty close! 

Great job Tina!  What a great example of some fun, inexpensive and great DIY things ALL moms can do to make their child's birthday party special.  You don't need to be a professional party planner to do some amazing things!



Buckets of Strawberries

Today I took the kids strawberry picking for the first time.  We had a blast!  The strawberries are really late this year due to the unseasonably cold spring/summer and the monsoons of rain we've been getting.  I think Ethan ate more than he picked.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wouldn't it be fun to host a strawberry inspired party?  Berry parties are quite the thing now.  Here are some of my favorite inspiration.

 

Sweet Strawberry Party - Glorious Treats

 

Strawberry Pie in a Jar?  Perfect Party Favors!

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I want to have a strawberry party just to use these invitations and coordinating products from Loralee Lewis!

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Now back to the kitchen to clean all those berries!  Happy Summer!

Neighborhood Ice Cream Social on Living with Amy

Today was our big television debut!  What an exciting experience to be on a real television set!  I have to say Amy and all of the folks associated with her show were so nice!  It was a GREAT experience and they even invited me back!  I can't wait to share something new with them. 

I have a disclaimer though - Amy is so tiny and petite!  I am 5'4" - on a good day - and I towered over her!  She was so welcoming and nice.  Here is the video in case you want to look. 

 

{Exciting News!}

I have been MIA for the past few weeks.  It is crazy busy here - but where isn't it!  Anywho - I am absolutely ecstatic over the reception our Neighborhood Ice Cream Social received!  We were featured on so many fabulous sites I am truly humbled!  Thank you to Chris at Celebrations at Home for featuring our party.  Thank you to Jillian at Catch My Party for making it the party of the day!  And thank you to the Party FAQ blog for the feature.  I was amazed at how many of the great party gals posted a link on their Facebook pages.  Again, so humbling!  And, thank you for all of your kind words and comments. 

What is even more exciting is that Buckets of Grace hit 100 followers (and counting!)  I honestly cannot believe that either.  When I started this blog, I never imagined that 100 people would want to see what little ol' me was up to.  So, I am going to work on some sort of giveaway to thank you!  I'm thinking a printables set for all followers (and new ones!) or one fun giveaway to one lucky follower.  Leaning more towards the printables set...  Now just need to come up with one :)  Any ideas or anyone interested in creating one, let me know.  I'm thinking more Fall/Halloween since we are almost up to Fourth of July and there has been a lot of great sets out there already.

And finally, tomorrow Buckets of Grace makes its television debut :)  Okay - it's a Green Bay market mid-morning life style show, but it's still television!  I will be on Living with Amy on Fox 11 around 9:00 to show our Neighborhood Ice Cream Social.  I don't think there is any live stream, but I'm hoping it will be posted on their website afterwards.  We don't have DVR (or even a VCR!) so I won't be able to see it either.  I'm so nervous and excited!

Again, thank you ALL for your support and kind words.  It means more than you know!