If I’m being completely honest, which, I am, I have to say that one of my least favorite aspects of parenting is the whole birthday party thing.
My aversion is specific to kids birthday parties and the throwing thereof, as I very much enjoy inviting my adult friends over to eat and drink and be merry. Carré d’agneau au moutarde with gratin dauphinois, adult conversation, no problem! Pizza, cake, and ice cream and children just about gives me hives. I feel nervous and clammy, and thoughts of “I’m never doing this again, next time they can invite one friend over to play for a twenty minutes where I’ll serve capri suns and Ho-Ho’s” run through my head as I make the third batch of buttercream icing with a cramped hand.
And all of you other parents! You keep throwing these fabulous parties at jumpy houses and gymnastics places and pizza joints, so I can’t very well tell my Carson and Ella, “Sorry, kid, all of your friends get parties, but you don’t. Can I just give you $50 and call it even?”
In my former life as a Speech-Language Pathologist, I basically entertained children for a living, making saying /r/ and /s/ “thupah” fun. (Get it?!) But entertaining children at birthday parties is STRESSFUL, it’s just so much PRESSURE. I feel like there are expectations, expectations from preschoolers for a good time, expectations from parents for I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHAT, but STILL.
So of course when Ella asked for a Mario party for her 4th party I silently cursed very bad words that start with “f” and end in “uckity” and set off to figure out how the heck I would pull off a Mario party. Thank goodness Shab came to the rescue and helped me out. She had some awesome ideas.
Despite my birthday party hosting neurosis, I’m pretty sure I met all expectations, including my own.
We played Pin the Mustache on Mario, complete with a Mario that drew with my very own hands.
(Ella wore both Princess Peach and Luigi costumes for the party. Carson was Mario.)
Since Mario collects coins in the Super Mario games, the kids had a coin scavenger hunt. I thought this game would be sort of a dud, but it wasn’t. At all. Carson is still talking about it.
I made chocolate cupcakes with both regular and chocolate buttercream icing. I made the cupcake toppers, but I also saw them on Etsy. I made the cupcakes stand with cardboard cake rounds, styrofoam, and wrapping paper, inspired by this tutorial.
For the party favors, I made item boxes from mini Chinese takeout containers I found at Hobby Lobby and glued a yellow question to each. They were filled with Mario stickers, mini Mario markers, and more coins. I also found some mustaches on sticks that we gave everyone, found on Etsy.
If I’m being completely honest, which, I am, one of the best things about being a parent is the genuine “thank you!” and , “Mom! That was the most fun party ever.” That doesn’t mean I enjoyed planning the party, NO, but I guess it was worth it.
Well I’m glad I’m not the only one who dreads birthday parties. I must say, for someone who doesn’t like planning kid parties you sure are good at it! That is WAY better than anything I’ve ever come up with.
Love it all! Sorry we couldn’t celebrate with you guys. I have party planning aversion as well….I want you to plan my next one….please?
I loathe hosting birthday parties. Forced conversations with adults I don’t know well, weeks of preparation about decisions that I just don’t have an inkling of care about, and worst of all….the insane number of children around me.
This party sounds like a blast though. Well done!
The Mommy Therapy´s last [type] ..I Might Make Really Good Salmon – Its a Recipe-Ish People
And that is why I only let Ella invite kids whose parents I’m friends with! I couldn’t bear the thought of inviting her whole preschool class and then being forced into awkward conversations with the parents!
The party looks like it was awesome! Way to go on the planning. I am especially fond of that cupcake stand and plan to try to replicate something like it for the Star Wars themed party that has been requested for this June. I don’t mind planning parties, but I hate that I don’t have the time and clarity of focus to execute things the way I want them. I don’t know who I’m trying to impress, but I think I make everything harder than it needs to be. My other struggle is figuring out where it makes sense to cut off the invitation list. I don’t want to hurt any feelings, but I also don’t want the number of kids to be overwhelming. I’m rambling now, but truly, it looks like it was a great party. The smiles on your kids say it all!
mep´s last [type] ..A Visit to the Bookstore dont snore
The cupcake stand was pretty fun to make, actually. It’s flimsy, so make sure you put the cupcakes on the stand where you plan to display it. The stand is not sturdy enough to move around!
What I’ve found is that when you serve alcohol at kids’ birthday parties the adults stick around and become quite happy and verbose and not so helicoptery about the kids and through some kid osmosis the kids realize their parents are happy so they too are happy and it’s a great time — unless one of the moms disappears in a back bedroom with one of the dads who is not her husband. Then it’s a whole different story.
The Woman Formerly Known as Beautiful´s last [type] ..Married Sex – Part Deux
We offered alcohol, because, DUH. Luckily there were no shenanigans with randy parents.
Great job mama! Looks like a blast.
Kara´s last [type] ..Damn apps
Oh my word, that is the most adorable party ever! How fun! You totally outdid yourself for sure!
Maggie´s last [type] ..Final
Well, Girl…you did it again.
Talked about how much you DON’T enjoy something…then ROCKED the SOCKS off of it! Truly great job.
I love birthday parties.
I do NOT love the stress I put on myself to “perform”.
My little dude had a pirate party this year and I have yet to post the blog. but it’s coming. And I’ll complain the whole time, I’m sure.
Peas in a pod, we are.
xoxo
Will you throw my next birthday party?
You did an awesome job! I love the cupcake stand idea-I’ll have to try that one for the next party. But I get the stress factor. We used to be able to have a pool party in our neighborhood, or go to paint ceramics, but now everything has to be at our house with a THEME.
My 8 year old wanted a Nancy Drew birthday party. NANCY DREW! The hell? We ended up with a party where all the girls teamed up and went to neighbors’ houses (who were in on the whole thing) to gather clues to solve the mystery of the missing birthday present. SO MUCH WORK, but getting the neighbors involved made it so fun and the girls talked about it for weeks.
All Things BD´s last [type] ..Getting Ready For The Invasion With a Sountrack!
What a GREAT idea! Work, yes, but it sounds like it was so worth it.
Love the mustaches! So great!
I agree, I pretty much loathe planning birthday parties. And every time we throw one, and it goes well, I can only enjoy it for a few minutes before I fear being able to top it, or just measure up, next year.
Jenna´s last [type] ..Stick a Fork in Us
My son already told me he wants to have a Mario party for his birthday in October…now to think of even more Mario games!
It stresses me out too but in the end I’m always glad we did it. We had a party here too on Saturday and it went off pretty well.
I think yours did as well! Love the cupcakes and favor boxes. And the mustaches are brilliant! Great job Mom!
Elaine´s last [type] ..Happy early Birthday to my Little G its on Sunday!!!
I always say the same thing, but the look on there faces is priceless and worth every moment. Congrats on the great party!
Heather´s last [type] ..No Bake Cheesecake
SUCH a cute party! You are a natural! Heh.
I LOVE planning kids’ birthday parties. It’s like a drug for me. The actual day of the event isn’t my favorite, it’s the lead-up, the finding cool things to fit a theme, the planning.
I’m a freak.
Fairly Odd Mother´s last [type] ..Homeland security
Yes, you are a freak.
I wish it was a drug for me!
I am so anti-birthday party. Really dislike the whole thing. Most moms I know say the same thing yet keep throwing them and attending them because everyone else does. I haven’t done it yet but this year I will have to – Sabrina has been to too many to fake her out any longer. Grrrr… (And don’t get me started on goody bags.)
Michelle Smiles´s last [type] ..Lessons
Goody bags…OH YES. They are just a waste, in my opinion, but the kids seem to expect them and I don’t want to be the one parent who didn’t give out party favors. Then again, it might make me super popular with the other parents.
It’s all so cute! You’re da bomb diggity.
I just had my son’s 10th birthday party here on Saturday. I actually like having parties. Then again, I tell my kids, YOU are going to entertain your friends, not me. So I’m in charge of cake & ice cream & hot dogs, they do all the “fun” stuff. That usually involves them disappearing for an hour or so to the confines of his room. Fine with me.
Texan Mama´s last [type] ..I Heart Faces- May Flowers
Oh, I really like it. How creative! I think you did a fantastic job.
Misty´s last [type] ..Stuffage- How Boring Can I Get
this looks fabulous. my 4yo is currently obsessed with mario as well. i may be copying this party in november
although, it looks way more ambitious than what i usually do. LOL
MommyNamedApril´s last [type] ..It Was the Worst of Times It Was the Best of Times
hahah before getting to the end of your post I was about to say well isn’t it all about the results of how happy the children are!?! and yup, it is!
How clever! It looks like it came out great! I love the little mustaches.
Cozy Friedman´s last [type] ..A Cozy Corner
I. am. super. impressed.
My kids just had a couple of friends over and they played in the yard when they were little. Actually, that’s still the standard now they are 16/17.
*Thupah* cute! You did a whole heck of a lot more than I would ever do. My kid’s friends get cake and ice cream. Nobody goes home with a goody bag, (a.k.a. gifts that I give other kids on my kid’s birthday.) Since when do kids come home with a present at someone else’s birthday party?! This post was refreshing, as I thought I was the only one who dreaded birthday parties. Thanks!
my goodness look at those adorable supermario characters! very creative and fun! hope everyone enjoyed the party! i wonder what’s inside the party favors!
Ah, the kids’ “thank you” at the end of it all. You’re right, it’s worth it — but heck yeah there is a lot of pressure to throw an awesome party!
Holly´s last [type] ..Yes- we still do
You absolutely rocked it, my friend!! Next year I’m taking notes from you!
Looks like everything was just absolutely amazing.
I know that small parties are better, but growing up with my mom, she was always hosting parties, so it must be in my blood. (although i’m nowhere near the hostess she is!!)
Yago’s birthday is the one big one every year, but I imagine that he’ll soon have an opinion so it may become an annual Halloween party in the future!
OK – you are one of those moms that does everything perfectly for the birthday parties!!!! My son is turning 4 this week too – and I’m forcing myself to not stress about it! I just did two posts this week about him turning 4 – it’s like taking over my life! LOL
I’m impressed with your craftiness!
This seems to be the year of kids birthday parties, my son turned 4 in March and had already been to 4 birthday parties at those jumpy jump places. I gave him the option of a birthday party or present he chose party so we had one for all his friends. Definitely a first for me! I’m no good at small talk with other moms apparently.
A little late with the compliments, but it looks like an awesome party! I always get stressed out over the favors, but your idea was really cute and very smart. And who doesn’t love a coin hunt???? Easter egg hunt anyone??? Great job! O is too young to request birthday themes (yet) but I am sure it will have pink or purple theme to it. I have to start getting creative now!
Success! Looks like the party turned out great. It’s work, but when you look back at the pictures, you will see all the effort you put into making it so special. And they will, too. Jennifer Doyle – fun Mommy.
Aww! That was so cute. First of all, your kid is so cuute for wanting a Mario-themed party. Second of all, the cake and the party favors. Thirdly, the costumes!
C U T E.