Everyday Celebrating

Everyday Events: Milk and Cookie Birthday

I'm thrilled to show you another Milk and Cookies themed birthday.  Why?  Well, my friend Dianne of Colorblind Productions threw the first Milk and Cookies themed birthday a few years ago and since then, the theme has REALLY taken off.  She and I both smile every time we see another party featuring the theme.  And this one is super adorable!

This party added a twist.  This was a milk and cookies and BEDTIME STORIES theme!  Check out the cute invitation from Tiny Prints.

 
of course.. there was a cookie buffet

Strawberry, chocolate and white milk...

rainbow swirl cookies

  

The children were asked to wear their jammies.  The parents cleared out their playroom and set up a mini theatre complete with movie snacks:



And finally... LOOK at this CAKE!  The chocolate chip cookie cake! Yep, it's a CAKE!
 


Visit Heather's blog for more photos of favors and other details!  

Party activity DIY: Marshmallow guns

That's my son, Keaton, who recently had an AMAZING time at a birthday party when my friend pulled out marshmallow guns for all the boys.  (And yes, I know, there are some people who will read this and be horrified that guns and fighting were included in a children's party.  oh well.)

Talk about a super fun and really inexpensive activity!   My friend said the pvc parts cost about $1/gun.

Buy bags of marshmallows and safety goggles at the Dollar Tree and you're set!

These guns shoot the mini marshmallows and are easy to put together.  You can have the guns already put together for the children or you can make an activity out of the construction.

The Idea Room has fabulous photos that show how to construct your own guns.  As you can see, my son's gun was a bit longer than her diagram, but that's the beauty... create any type of gun you'd like!

At the party we attended, my friend went all out for the boys.  They each were given bandanas which would represent which team they were on.  She built blinds out of huge boxes (a la paintball wars) and each boy was given a pouch to wear to carry extra "ammo".  

The boys all got to take everything home!

My 3.5 year old son was thrilled to be playing with the big boys!  See?  We'll be putting this idea away for one of Keaton's future parties. 

Easy Uncle Sam cake

Taste of Home does it again with this easy Uncle Sam cake made out of rice krispies!

This cake could totally do double duty as a cute centerpiece!  See the recipe here. 

Still time to: Welcome your guests with streamers

Even though July 4th is Sunday, there is plenty of time to create an easy way to welcome your guests.

These streamers create gentle movement in the breeze and are made from items found at the Dollar Tree.

The poles are actually bamboo stakes normally used in gardening.  These are  green 5 ft stakes and are $1 for a package of 6 or so.   Spray paint those the color of your choice.  I used white.

Right now, most Dollar Tree stores have rolls of satin ribbon in stock.  I chose red, white and blue.  $1 per roll.  Cut long pieces of each color and hot glue one end to the top of the stake.

These can be placed anywhere... line your driveway, place them at the corners of your patio, stand them up in sand filled pots on your porch, etc.  Use any colors you want for any occasion.  These would be great for a bridal shower, graduation in school colors or child's birthday in primary colors!

Still time to: create cute bbq invitations

Having a few people over for a BBQ? 

Create these easy invitations from All You magazine.   Here's how:

Use checked scrapbook paper to cover heavy cardstock.

Cut back pockets from old pairs of jeans or shorts. (Tip:  No old jeans?  Pick some up from Goodwill or yard sales!  Depending on the size of your invitation, you may be able to use children's jeans (which are less expensive.)

Glue the pocket onto the cardstock.

Slide in your invitation!

Sidenote:  a cute addition would be to print your invitation on bandanas! Fold the bandanas and stick them in the pocket.

Easy July 4th strawberries

Alison of Oopsey Daisey shares this easy way to liven up your July 4th menu.

Very easy!  Dip strawberries in white chocolate... then sprinkle on the blue!  

Everyday Events: Carnival First Birthday

A super fun carnival first birthday to kick off a Monday!  Submitted by Adriana.

I'm always a fan of balloon kites! 



Prize tent!



Love the centerpieces with the flowers as "popcorn"

favors!


Lots of sweets!


Check out Adriana's blog to see lots more photos of this huge party!  Lots of details AND guests!        

This week: on my desk

One sprig of beautiful blooms from an outside bush held by a chemistry beaker.  Yes, that's a pyrex chemistry beaker.  It's simple and you can create a pop of color easily as it only holds a couple stems.

Pyrex beaker at Goodwill.  $.49.   Another example of thinking outside of the box when you shop.

Next week, I'll show the perfect Fourth of July use for inexpensive goodwill mason jars.

As american as apple pie.... cupcakes!

Looks like a mini pie, right?

Try cupcakes with fruit filling!

See?

Visit MommyTopics where she shows you how to dazzle guests with this all American dessert!

You should just go ahead and mark "figure out dessert" off your July 4th to do list now.

Adorable baseball party cake!

How cute is this cake?   It's a home plate!  

Know what I love about it?  It's simple!  Anyone can do it!
Just make a rectangle cake and cut two angles into it.

Sprinkle some graham cracker "dirt" on home plate and it's done!

This cake was just one part of a fabulous baseball party thrown by Beth of Custom Creations.
Visit her blog to see all the cute details!  

This cake isn't JUST for children.  What about a World Series Party?  Or a tailgate for a college game?  Or a cute groom's cake?