CALIFORNIA – PERFECT

by Rose Elder

We hosted Alexander’s 4th birthday party yesterday. All and all I think it was a success. Kids were entertained as well as the parents, and thanks to my amazing in-laws even I got to enjoy it!

I am a perfectionist, sometimes that plays against you when it refers to entertaining. I want everything to be on point and most times that makes me feel overwhelmed and stressed. When you are stressed you transmit that on to your guests and they have a hard time enjoying your hard work. Yesterday I consciously let go of all the stress and thanks to all my family’s help we all had fun. I am not sure about Alexander though, it was his first party where he really realized people bring presents and it was basically all he cared about. He just wanted to rip off the wrapping paper and go in his room to play with his new toys. I need to figure that one out for next year.

I took many pictures thinking of you. I just wanted to show a bit of what I did to make my boy’s day special.

I got the idea of the balloon arrangements from The House That Lars Built’s post on how to curl a balloon. I thought they were kind of fun and different.

I decided to put the kids names on the popcorn containers to personalize them but mainly to avoid them sharing germs. Some don’t read their name yet, but their parents helped them along.

The sandbox is always a great entertainment feature.

The cake was from Nothing Bundt Cakes. I got so many positive comments about it: That it was “moist and delicious”. The top layer was chocolate and the bottom cake was marbled, most people loved the marbled.

Excited when he got his first present.

I bought the little stools at Ikea. I just figured renting them would’ve been about the same cost and this way I  can keep them for many parties to come. They are easy to dissemble and you can also choose to stack them.

I also got the plates and bags at Ikea. The bags had the chips and the plates the burgers. I got burgers from In-N-Out, I did that last year and it was a hit! This year was no different.

For the younger ones I set out a little pool with fish. They loved it! Some were there the whole time.

The party favors were bubble wands for the little ones and water splashers for the older kids.

Share some of your favorite party ideas!