Ethan's 5th Birthday Party Prep and EXCITING NEWS!

If this blog was considered a child, I would be reported to the authorities for neglect.  Summer has been SO busy for us like most everyone.  It was hard to think about sitting at a computer blogging when the weather here has been amazing (and HOT) this summer.  We've been on the go, go, go trying to pack in as much as we can before the snow starts to fly. 

With all of that going on, I also have some exciting news!  Michelle (one of the nicest ladies in the party planning business) has asked me to be a guest blogger on her amazing blog, Maddycakes Muse.  I am so thrilled!  Michelle was one of the first party planners to help me out when I started this blog.  Look for my debut the second week of September.

In the mean time, I've also been preparing for Ethan's big 5th birthday. I can't believe my little guy is turning 5. I am in denial.  As most soon-to-be 5 year olds, Ethan has quite the opinions about lots of things.  This year he informed me he wanted a super hero and police birthday party.  Daddy is a police officer and like most 5 year old boys, he thinks he is a super hero.  So, I was up to the challenge - as long as I could find some help in printable land to tie it all together.  Enter the fab ladies at Anders Ruff!

I've used lots of Anders Ruff printables for various parties.  What I love about them - they design for the rich and famous and still are so kind and generous to design for real moms like me out there.  They have two amazing printable sets that I thought would be great for Ethan's party - their super hero theme and police theme.

 

Unfortunately, a girl has to have limits - it would be too hard to use both printable packages.  So, working with Maureen, we came up with this invite:

 

 

To tie both themes together, the party is going to be Ethan's, "When I Grow Up" party.  I will be sharing lots of DIY party details on Maddycakes Muse and also here.  Can't wait!

 

Party Planning - Ice Cream Social Inspiration

It's been a month since Grace's Prom extravaganza, so I'm finally getting my party groove back on.  Next week is the last week of school for us!  It couldn't come any sooner!  It has been one doozy of a year - a great year for Grace but one to be forgotten for me in my work life (and I'm guessing for a number of people I work for.)  So, I wanted to have a little way of happily sending this year off - and what is happier than ice cream in summer!

If I could, I'd create one of those unforgettable summers for my kids like the movies portray from the 50's and 60's.  I long for the summers like the ones in My Girl and The Wonder Years - when the kids could roam the streets with their sparklers at night or decorate their bikes with streamers and ride aimlessly around the neighborhood.  I can't create that every day for my kids, and for safety reasons, some days not at all, but everyone has to have a goal...

So, that little ideal picture in my head set in motion the theme for our ice cream social.  I did not want to break the bank on this party so I am going with a red and light blue theme which is the same colors as Ethan's upcoming carnival birthday party.  Many things will be making two appearances :) 

I am planning this last minute - way last minute!  Every vendor I contacted has been so gracious in helping me get the items in such a short time  Here is the inspiration for our neighborhood ice cream social.

My go-to-gals at Anders Ruff graciously did a color change for me for the invite and put this adorable invite together.  I love, love, love it!!!

I also turned to Carli from Dimple Prints who also graciously agreed to do a color change of her ice cream printables.  Her ice cream printables create the perfect nostalgic feel! I can't wait to see the color change!

Are you a fan of LoraLee Lewis?  If not, you are missing out.  I want to plan a party just to use her stationery and party supplies!  They scream nostalgia!  Reading her blog, I think we are long lost kindred spirits!  I can't wait to use these bottle wraps and the adorable whipped cream wrapper!

I am obsessed with my kids' outfits matching the theme of the party.  I know - I'm crazy.  I found these adorable shirts for Grace and Ethan from Stitch This.  I think they will be perfect to wear all summer and for the 4th of July!

How about this funky retro shirt?  This one is for me :)

These beautiful sugar cone wrappers from Refresh My Heart will make a great added touch!  Another super vendor to work with for my rush request!

What more says summer than ice cream AND bubbles!  These are great, inexpensive favors for the kiddos!

And finally, keeping with my sparkler fantasies, I found these perfect sparkler wrappers. 

Here's to a great kick off to an even better summer!

Cute Find for Superhero Parties - Target to the Rescue!

Have you seen Anders Ruff's latest Super Hero spectacular?  If you missed it, check out all the fabulousness here.

I LOVE how they took a theme that could easily be commercialized and made it adorable without the commercial characters.

I particularly LOVED their city scape background for the treats tabletop and the use of city scape elements throughout the party.

 

In case their efforts make you feel intimidated, I spotted this fabulous City Scape shower curtain from Target in this weekend's flyer for only $13!  If you are not up to making your own city scape for your little super hero, this shower curtain would make the perfect back drop for a sweets table!  It would also make a great backdrop for a photo booth opportunity.

And, when your little super hero is all partied out, you could always use it for what it was intended.  Nothing like multi-tasking a shower curtain!

Buckets of Halloween Party

I am SO exhausted from our Halloween Party but I wanted to post a few pictures.  I have so many and want to give the party its justice with Jessie Warner's pictures.  So I'll do two different posts.  The first one I am featuring pictures of Anders Ruff Halloween printable collection.  As I've said before, printables are fabulous - you can customize them for your party and you can use them over and over.  I just LOVED this collection and had so much fun using it for the party.  Here is a sampling for some of their goods.

But first, here's Grace and Ethan in their costumes.  I did Grace's make-up with a "paint by numbers" kit.  Ethan, my boy's boy but who hates to be dirty wanted the face paint off as soon as I had it on. 

 

 

 

(And here's one of me as a fortune teller - to go with my fortune telling games.)

Remember the spray paint in the backyard?  Here is what the spray painted sticks turned into...

The printable banner from Anders Ruff says, "Trick or Treat."

A close up of the tree:

"Boo" letters from hobby Lobby

Paper Poms from My Silly Bear on Etsy

 

 

The Candy Table

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yummy Treats

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture Back drop (Anders Ruff on top in the center)

 

Trick or Treat banner:  Pottery Barn Kids (sold out)

 

 

Favors:

Crayon Rolls:  Its the Small Things

Frame and Halloween Basket:  Hobby Lobby

 

 

Fun and Games

 

 

 

 

I can't wait to share more photos.  The party was lots of fun - especially the Bobbing for Donuts!  After Ethan's birthday party and this one month later, I think I need to go on party hiatus for a while. Party planning can be exhausting!  Enjoy the rest of the weekend and Go Packers!