Everyday Celebrating

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. 

Everyday Events: Under the Sea Children's Party.. on a BOAT!

Looking for a party location that's not the same ole same ole?  What about on a BOAT?   My friend Kelly from Eventology Weddings in Houston, recently threw this unique "Under the Sea" party for her daughter.   Enjoy the photos as Kelly tells us about the party details.   And for those that live in the Houston area, you're in for a treat as Kelly shares all of her vendor details.  All photos by Erin Woltz.

Kendall's 4th birthday was held on a Sunday afternoon on a party boat provided by Houston  Party Boats.
The invitations were delivered as messages in a bottle.

As seen below, little chinese lanterns in bright turquoise blue and teal green were strung along the perimeter of the boat. Kid sized tables & chairs were rented and a royal table was set up in the middle of the boat for the kids. Bright green iridescent linens were provided by Over the Top Linens.

 I used color coordinating decorative rocks to add a little color to the table
 


I also made cookie bouquets for centerpieces using darling custom cookies I purchased off of etsy. These doubled as party favors for the adults at the conclusion of the event.



Up close


 The kids feasted on pizza & Juicy Juice (in color coordinating cans) and the parents on a huge 6 ft. long "submarine" sandwich, in going along with the nautical theme!

The paper goods were dressed up with special custom stickers I had made by my graphic designer (http://www.scarlettdesigns.biz/) and printed at zazzle.com. These gave them that personalized touch without breaking the bank.



My daughter had her heart set on a mermaid cake...and Cakes by Gina did not disappoint with this adorable masterpiece!


  
 

As an added treat, I ordered delicious french macarons to color coordinate with the party colors.



Events at the party included a make-your-own sand art picture frame, a caricature artist drawing the kids' likenesses with an under the sea theme, "Pin-the-fin-on-the-shark" (purchased at Michael's craft store), and limbo. I made a special nautical iTunes playlist which included the following songs: All Aboard, Under the Sea, Jamaican Farewell, Jammin', At the Bottom of the Sea, Day O, Sea Cruise, and Catch a Wave, which was played through the boat's speaker system throughout the party.





At the end of the party, guests departed with a special bait bucket full of "ocean" themed party favors including a package of swedish fish, a "fish-kabob", mermaid stickers, and a bag of glazed popcorn made by the birthday girl's daughter. Hand-crafted tags purchased off of etsy adored the bucket & bags of popcorn.



For thank you notes, I took the caricature drawn of the birthday girl, scanned it in, and had custom postcards printed at zazzle.

Kelly really does amazing work, right?  If you're in the Houston area and are looking for a wedding planner, she's your gal.  I've known her for years and she leaves no detail undone.  

 

Blues Clues!

Boy, can I tell you how obsessed my son was with Blues Clues for a LONG time.  If he still was fascinated by Steve and Blue, we would DEFINITELY look to this party for inspiration!  Julie submitted her son's 3rd birthday party and it's so cute!

I'm going to let the photos speak for themselves, but for a complete listing of all the details that Mommy Julie created herself, visit her blog.  She really outdid herself! (click on the photos to see them in full size)  

I love to feature reader's parties!  Send'em in! 

 

  
 

Everyday Events: An amazing pirate party!

Facebook fan, Tina, is looking for inspiration for her son's upcoming pirate themed party.  This one is fabulous and sooo inspirational.   My son is starting to get into pirates and swords and I'm tucking these ideas away in case his fascination holds until his birthday.  

This party was created By Stephanie Lynn for her son's 3rd birthday.  So many great details!

Invitations were sent in bottles with burnt edges.  She even added ocean scented oil to the bottles so when they were opened there was a fresh ocean scent!

 

This is my FAVE piece of the decor. The centerpieces! She cut grapevine wreaths in half to create boats!  And used stamped muslin as the sail.

 
Lots of great activities kept all the guests entertained including:

"Walk the plank!" created from a large piece of scrap wood bound together with decorative jute. 

  


There were several sandboxes and all were filled with buried treasure!



Look at his personal cake!
 

 
and each child got to take home a smaller version in cupcake form


There are TONS more details on her blog.  Muslin flags added to their playset, treasure maps, etc.
Amazing attention to detail!  Drop by and soak it all in!   

Are you a fan of Everyday Celebrating on Facebook?  I share lots of fun things I find that never make it to the blog!  Join us and join the conversation! 

Oscars!

The Academy Awards are this weekend!  Planning an Oscar party?   Spray paint the Barbie Dolls for centerpieces!  And other ideas on a previous Oscar post of mine.

Also, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences offers an online Oscar party kit featuring recipes, Oscar bingo and crossword puzzles and even downloadable ballots for your guests!

Everyday Events: Carnival Birthday!

The carnival themed birthday is colorful and kidlike and is just one of those classic themes.  And it's one that's always worth revisiting. 

Brittany sent in her son's first birthday party and I'm happy to feature it as as one that really shows how you can truly customize an event with labels and signage.

She made these great ticket style signs out of posterboard for the floor entry.  The numbers are his birthdate.

Lots of custom labels for carnival type foods.

 

I love the striped tray with these apples.

Brittany turned this beverage tub upside down and painted it for a cute circus stand/cake stand!

Brittany found cute carnival signage and other pieces at places like Hobby Lobby and Oriental Trading.  Some were from the Pottery Barn Kids line that is discontinued now, but may still be floating around ebay. 

I love this kissing booth she made with a blown up photo of her son!

Everyone knows I like a wrapped set of utensils. Love how she wrapped them in tickets!

Guests left with the ultimate carnival favor... a goldfish!

Lots and lots more photos of her fabulous carnival party!  Including photos of all the fun carnival games and decorations!  Stop by Brittany's blog and compliment her on her hard work!

Everyday Events: Mad Hatter Birthday!

Don't you love coming to a blog and seeing real photos of real events?  Me too.  Plus, it's Tuesday and I personally dislike Tuesdays.  Why?  Well, it's not the beginning of the week (Monday) and it's not the middle of the week (Wednesday) and we're not close to the weekend.... my friends laugh because, for some reason, I dislike Tuesdays.

Anyway... moving on.... since I don't like Tuesdays.... let's see fun pictures instead!

Remember that wonderful carnival birthday I showed you about a year ago? That birthday was created and thrown by my friend Kelly of Eventology Weddings (Houston, TX) for her very own daughter Kendall.  Well, another year has passed and it's time for another birthday and this year's theme was the Mad Hatter! 

Held outdoors at a local park, this whimsical birthday included these fun details:

Table centerpieces - floral arrangements in tea cups with one single feather

of course, the traditional topsy turvy cake

with adorable matching cookies

and Ben and Jerry's sundae station! yum!

Guests spent the afternoon painting their own take home teacups

took rides on the Mad Hatter Express

and participated in the "tea cup toss"

Guests took home personalized M&Ms

with Kendall's precious face!

as well as multicolor glazed popcorn balls

Another fabulous birthday!   If you're looking for some help in the Houston area, give Kelly a call!
She's the Knot's Best of Weddings for 2008 and 2009!

Photos courtesy of Sharon Nicole Photography

Also, a reminder that if you've recently thrown a party you're particularly proud of, send it my way!
I love seeing the creativity of others and showcasing here on Everyday Celebrating!

Simple celebration: School's out!

photo credit: Family Fun

Family Fun magazine featured this easy way to welcome your children to summer.  Tape a handmade banner across the door and let your children run through it as the official start to summer!

Start a tradition and maybe have an end of school snack time for your children and their friends on the last day of school.  Maybe make a bigger banner and stretch it across your garage so all their friends can join in the fun.

A mother mentioned in the magazine said she even makes a cake in the shape of a broken pencil for all the neighborhood children!  CUTE!

DIY/Tutorial: Pinwheel tutorial

Recently while strolling through a Target, my son set his eyes on a pinwheel and immediately we had to have two.  One for each hand, of course!  They were shiny and bright and best of all... moved!  An immediate eye catcher!

Add some movement and color to your table while adding height. 
Better Homes and Gardens does it again, providing you with the free tutorial on this perfect craft for windy March!

Use it on a child's table and let them each take one home!

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Also, don't forget to enter our Fotomural giveaway! 
One winner will be chosen on March 17! 

A plethora of children's parties!

Yesterday I showcased the Better Homes and Gardens Farm themed party.   How timely that Mique over at 30 Days is featuring several fabulous children's parties including my son's airplane party!

If you're stumped as to how to celebrate your child's birthday - head on over!  There's something for everyone - boys and girls!  A few of the themes include:  Kung Fu Panda, Fancy Nancy, Green, Construction, Kim Possible, super hero, etc.

Creativity abounds!  Visit the parties and save some ideas for years to come!  While you're looking, don't forget to take note of how you may use some of these ideas for other things besides birthdays...or maybe gift giving.  Think outside of the box!