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(including centerpieces and a Bob and Larry cake).
Ten days from now, I’m holding a Veggie Tales themed party for my daughter’s third birthday. And, I’m sad to say, I’ve barely started planning. No, it’s not like me. But it’s been a little crazy around our house lately, and I just haven’t had the brain power to plan. It’s like I don’t even know me anymore.
When Annalyn requested “Bob music” a couple months ago, I knew I’d scored. Sure, it’s been fun to sing along – and hear her singing along – to “God Made You Special” and “Where is My Hairbrush?” But more importantly, this resurgence in Veggie Tales love provided the perfect opportunity for diverting her attention from the princesses.
I know it’s just a matter of time before my opinionated little toddler turns into an opinionated little girl – and I’ll have to let her have some say in things like birthday party themes, Halloween costumes and the like.
But for now? I’m all for convincing her that SHE had the idea that I came up with in the first place. As soon as we picked up those CDs and popped one in the stereo, I started prepping her. “Veggie Tales are fun. I love Veggie Tales; don’t you? Wouldn’t you like a Veggie Tales birthday party?”
I know. I shouldn’t manipulate my own daughter. But I figure this might be our last non-princess-themed year for a while – and I wanted to make sure we made the best of it.
Since deciding on the theme a couple months ago, I have scribbled out four or five lists and plans. I have reserved the park shelter and sent {adorable} invitations. And I have periodically reminded Annalyn that she’s going to have a Veggie Tales birthday party and isn’t it going to be so much fun?
I have not:
- Ordered a cake
- Purchased streamers, tablecloths or paper goods
- Decided on – much less started making – decorations
- Finalized a menu
- Received more than one actual RSVP
Oh dear. Just putting that on paper {okay, screen} makes me nervous! Maybe you can help me with some ideas? Here’s what I’ve thought of so far (this makes quasi-list and semi-plan #6):
Veggie Tales party décor and more
- If I do centerpieces (maybe just one on the food table?), I thought I could fill terra cotta pots with something cute.
- Also, I could use small pots filled with dried beans to hold the utensils. (Get it? Beans are veggies?)
- Red, green and yellow streamers, maybe even a streamer backdrop like Mandi made
- Regular red balloons and long green balloons (as far as I can tell, nobody makes or sells actual Veggie Tales Mylar balloons anymore)
- I’m debating on tablecloths to cover the picnic tables. It’s fun for color and nice for, well, clean-ness. But SUCH a pain if the wind is blowing at all.
- I’m going to buy plain red, green and yellow plates, cups, napkins and flatware. (Okay, flatware might just be white.) But if I can find Veggie Tales stickers, that would be a quick and easy way to customize the cups.
- I love birthday banners. Etsy is full of them, and the blogosphere has a million tutorials. But actually finding the time and/or money is the issue here…
- I bought Annalyn a Bob the Tomato shirt to wear. And I’m making Mark wear a green shirt (like Larry the Cucumber). Red is my favorite color, so finding a red shirt to wear won’t be hard. Not feeling like I actually resemble a round tomato might be. I’m just saying.
- I bought a Veggie Tales greatest hits CD to play during the party. (Finally! Something that’s DONE.
Veggie Tales party food
- Even though it’s a little weird (cannibalistic and all), I’m going to have a huge veggie tray (carrots, cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, cauliflower, pickles, broccoli).
- My plan is to scoop out the insides of pumpkins, gourds and/or peppers to hold a couple dips for the veggies.
- Fruit kabobs – I know. Melons, grapes and apples aren’t veggies. But what kind of birthday party only serves veggies?
- And in that case, we might as well give in and have some candy, too: M&Ms and Skittles.
- The Cake. Originally, I planned to make cake pops that looked like peas and cupcakes with red frosting to look like tomatoes. But Annalyn has her heart set on an actual Veggie Tales cake, so I have to make a trip to the HyVee bakery and pray we don’t end up with a Cake Wreck.
Veggie Tales birthday presents
- Fisher-Price Tricycle: Annalyn has been practicing riding in physical therapy, and I think it will be great (and fun) for us to have one at home.
- Sweetpea Beauty Veggie Tales video: Okay, so this is a compromise between princesses and Veggie Tales. I can’t wait to watch it! I mean, give it to her.
- Two Veggie Tales books: We’re having Annalyn’s party a week before her birthday, so I wanted to have a small gift to give her on her actual big day. When we were at the bookstore, I found two big board books (I know, she’s not a baby anymore. Yes, they’re board books but they DO have words in them.) for $10. Total. I thought it was a good deal and snatched them up.
So, that’s it. Any ideas for making it easier/more fun? What’s the best party you’ve ever thrown?
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Birthday parties must be a bigger deal in your house than mine. I never plan a party more than 2 weeks in advance. This year, we did my 9 year old daughter’s party at a paint your own pottery place.
It was great! The kids had fun. It was a quiet and calm activity. We had a cupcake cake and after 2 hours we were done, with no messy house to deal with! My girl loved it because she’s the artsy kid.
Don’t stress. I’m sure the party will come together without a hitch!
It’s not really a matter of birthday parties being a big deal; it’s that I really enjoy planning events. And as long as my daughter is young enough to have minimal input, this is the most fun party of the year! :)
Remember Mary, its not a contest to see who can throw the coolest party. ;) All that matters is that Annalyn has fun. :)
I love the cannibalistic idea of veggies.. hahahaha.
What if instead of a banner you printed each letter out on card stock and staggered them across a table. You could use veggie clip art to decorate up the letters. or you could hang the letters with clothes pins on a string across the park shelter.
I think it would be fun to get a large terra cotta pot and put a squash, Tomato, Cucumber and Asparagus in it will the glue on googly eyes that you can get from a craft store. If you put a head of iceburg lettuce in the bottom of the pot and then use a skewer to stick the “veggie tales” veggies in to the lettuce it should hold still. Then you could put beans or something over top of the lettuce to fill out the pot.
I like the idea of stickers for the cups. You could do a color your own sticker so each kids cup is unique too. I know that you can buy sticker paper and just run it through your printer. Of course, that might take up too much time. :)
I know that you will do a great job and that she will have fun!!
Oh, believe me. I read enough blogs to know that I will never throw the coolest party! I love looking at the super creative and crafty parties that people throw, but mine will always be more low-key than that! I love your revised banner idea, as well as the veggies with googly eyes! Thank you!
I love Veggies Tales. I am no help though because I am not a good party planner or crafter. Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Check these out: http://livingwithlindsay.com/2010/02/unique-diy-valentines-day-favors.html
You could use like an apple shapped cutter… It would be simple, cute, inexpensive and good…
But.. I will tell you.. For our son’s 2nd bday, we had a “pool” party in the backyard.. Just little swimming pools set up, and a couple of water tables.. I decorated inside and had hamburgers and hot dogs with sides.. Jamie and I killed ourselves making food.. I decorated.. Once everyone got here, the adults grabbed a paper plate, some food and went out and watched the kids play.. the kids ate soggy hot dogs in the water. They could have cared less about all the work I did and all the other food.. Then they grabbed a cupcake (I did cupcakes, which worked perfect).. played some more and passed out! No one really noticed my hard work on the decorations and most of the kids forgot their party favors cuz they were so tired. LOL
Oh, I know she won’t care. My mom was trying to lecture me about that last night. It’s totally for ME. I love doing this sort of thing! :) And those favors you linked are ADORABLE!
I don’t have many suggestions but I laughed till i cried when i read about the “canabalistic” veggie tray you will have. HILARIOUS!
It’s true, though – isn’t it? :)
Maybe someday you’ll be making her a Harry Potter cake. :D I sure hope so. :)
http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/2009/07/sunday-sweets-more-potter.html
(Btw, it’s your fault I posted this — I found this via your link;)
I like the owl one (the last one) the best!
I plan on doing Veggie Tales theme next year for Z’s party. I hope you post pics and details so that I can learn from you ;)
No pressure, right? ;)
Very true. And forgot to tell you simple mom just posted some cute birthday tips.
I saw that! Thanks!
In regards to decorations for Annalyn’s birthday, why not use real veggies &/or fruits (red, yellow, green peppers, small pumpkins, bananas, apples) and sharpie markers to make faces on them. That way after the party, you can make a salad with the veggies.
That’s the one that made me think of it. :)
Why didn’t this post as a reply to our other comments? That’s annoying…
I know. Sorry. It’s on my list of things to fix…