A birthday party to plan
Emmett is turning one in three weeks! Although I am more tired than I have ever been, I’ve so enjoyed this past year and getting to know my little guy. And I’ve enjoyed sharing some of the journey with you!
I’ve been suffering with a terrible cold for weeks and my husband has really been holding us body and soul together, so our house is in less than ideal shape to entertain. That said, I am really enjoying party planning!
If there’s one thing everyone says about Emmett, it’s that he’s a very sunny little guy, so I am thinking of having a sunshine/weather themed party. Plus, we are always in need of sunshine in November in Nova Scotia. Hit me up with any of your ideas for sunshiny type party snacks! I’m trying to convince my husband to bake a daffodil cake, do you remember those?
At 11 months...
Comments (76)
Bonnie
5 years agoRelated Discussions
Husband's 50th Birthday Party
Comments (5)I see what you guys mean by the time, but there are reasons why I chose the odd time. Every time I'm invited to something it's usually between 1 and 3, so I figure that is what the people I'm inviting are used to doing. Only one kid coming and she does not do any extra-curricular activities. I live about 45 minutes from almost everyone in our family and circle of friends and would hate to have a late party then they have to leave early just to drive home. I know all of them very well and they are not night owls like I am, so I'd rather them come at an odd time than not be able to come at all. This was the biggest reason for the 3PM party. I have changed my mind about the paella (thanks for the info I did not consider before). It's way too much work and too expensive for so many. I'm going with Italian and I'm having it catered. I'm making everything except the main dishes. I figure a couple hours of appetizers and drinks and then an early dinner plus dessert and birthday cake. I'm still planning so thanks for all the input. It helps out a lot !!...See Moreplease help us plan birthday/anniversary party
Comments (6)Just a follow up on the "no gifts please" issue, because it is something we all always agonize over, isn't it? It went as we predicted. Our very closest friends got me birthday gifts (in groups of 2 or 3). These are the people with whom we are so close that we give each other gifts for big occasions, party or no party, so we ignore "no gifts, please" if there is a party, because just as we aren't giving a gift because of the invitation, we aren't refraining from giving one because of the invitation, either. Our very, VERY closest friends also got us anniversary gifts (one from a group of three couples, one from one couple) -- same circumstance. Most people either brought a bottle of wine, amaretto, or champagne, a small birthday and/or anniversary gift (about like you would give for a hostess gifts -- candy, a funny little purse mirror, etc.), or nothing. Several (whether or not they could attend the party) made contributions to various charities. Another factor that may have made a difference was the gift my husband gave me -- the best ever. It is an album of stories and memories he asked people to send. Not only do I love it more than anything else he could have thought of, I like the idea that that would help people feel like their contribution to the album WAS a gift -- and they are right! Anyway, the bottom line is that I think that whether or not you put "no gifts, please" on an invitation doesn't make much difference; those who would anyway will anyway, and others might bring something small, but about the size they would probably bring as a hostess gift anyway. The real function is for the hosts to avoid feeling embarrassment about giving themselves a party for a gift-y occasion. So I guess in the future I will stick to no reference at all to gifts, EXCEPT where we are both hosts and also the guests of honor. I still feel, also, that people LIKE giving gifts to their friends. And I'll close with a funny story to that effect from this birthday: one day, about 11:30 am, a couple of weeks before the party, I called my friend G, on her cell phone, to see if she wanted to go to lunch. No answer, so I called A. No answer, so I called N. No answer - !!! "Why don't my friends take my calls," I thought, feeling very unpopular. So I called C, and she and I went to lunch. The next day, G called me, laughing. She said, "Sorry I didn't get back to you until today. I bet you wanted to go to lunch. I was out with A and N, shopping for your birthday present!" They had figured it out and wanted to share the laugh with me. (Good thing I had tried all three of them, eh?) They had fun shopping together, and I love the gift (it's a glass necklace) because it makes me think of them having a good time because of me....See More94th Birthday Party
Comments (3)Thanks for the help! We had the party last week. It was a surprise and his grandpa was very appreciative I knew we needed lots of food. I just didn't want to serve something that required you to sit at a table. We went with a menu similar to what texanniew suggested with a Polish twist - ham, sausage, meatballs, pierogie, and lots of salads. We had several tables inside and out for people to sit, but everything was bite sized so people could walk around with their plate too. It worked out great. Only problem we had was with the dessert table. I put the birthday cake in the center with the candles on it so it was obviously THE birthday cake. Someone cut a slice before we got to singing Happy Birthday! Lol. Who does that? No one fessed up and the birthday boy got a chuckle out of it!...See MoreFamily bringing dogs to the luau -- your thoughts?
Comments (25)I just want to put my past comments in perspective. I am a dog person, cat person too...actually. I have 10 dogs at my house now! 10 is no big deal for me. We had 16 over the 4th of July weekend. That gets a bit crazy....but 10....no biggie. That being said....I still think everything might be better if they didn't bring the dogs with them. But after thinking about it....if you have a place to separate them from the rest of the people/food then it would be fine. Heck, I have barbeques with small groups at my house from time to time and hard telling how many fur-critters are around! I guess just do what you want to without hurting anyone's feelings and make the best of it. You can ask for opinions...and everyone will have one....but you ultimately have to make the decision on what you feel is best and what makes you the most comfortable with the whole situation. I still want to be invited to the party! Sounds like a great time. I'm so happy you have your mom at 80. I would give anything including several limbs to have my mom back with me...she passed at 68. Give your mom a big hug and enjoy every single moment you have with her. Duane...See More
bpath
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoYou can order MnMs! Custom MnMs
hey, I just realized that "M" is for "EMmett"!
westsider40
5 years ago
Yayagal
5 years agorobo (z6a)
5 years agoThanks so much for all the nice comments about Emmett :) I appreciate them!
Husband has decided on a confetti (sprinkle) cake.
My banner is assembled!
And here are some gratuitous pictures of Emmett.
Happy when he wakes up!
Park outing with his cousin this weekend
The shoes and socks never stay on!
bpath
5 years agoyeonassky
5 years ago
Fun2BHere
5 years ago
czarinalex
5 years agoroxanna7
5 years ago
neetsiepie
5 years ago
pudgeder
5 years agobadgergal
5 years agoEmmett is such a cutie. I love seeing all his pictures, especially the ones with his favorite side kick, Penny. My granddaughter will be 3 in Dec and she is a total dog lover. They have 2 dogs. For her second birthday I did a puppy theme party. Just thought I'd post some pic here to give you ideas for Emmett's next birthday.
The dog head cake and cupcakes were super easy to make. Just a star tip, mini cookies and some candies.
We had food items such as "pupperoni" pizza, bonewhiches and "pawsta" salad, "pawtatoe" chips, bone shaped cheese, salami, rice crispie treats, Rice Chex's puppy chow and more.
Notice the plate of "yucky poos" (aka fudge). From the time she could walk in the yard my GD was trained to look out for doggie doo or "yuckie poos" as she called them. Everyone thought these were so funny and tasty.
One of the highlights of the party was the puppy adoption center.
Each child got to take home a puppy of their choice. Most of the pups were actually ones I had saved from my daughter's Beanie Baby collection. They got a bed, blanket, collar, ball and puppy chow for their new pup.
All the adults and kids thought it was a great party.
Happy Birthday Emmett.
gsciencechick
5 years ago
mtnrdredux_gw
5 years agorobo (z6a)
5 years agoIt’s Em’s birthday for real today and I just wanted to thank you all again for the support and fun over the last year (and nine months haha). He’s such a happy healthy guy and I just love having him around. Unfortunately I’m travelling for work so his dad took his birthday pics today.
This was the bday message I wrote today:
Happy birthday Emmett! We have so loved getting to know you over the past year. You are sunny, sociable, determined, funny and adventurous. You’re cracking yourself up with little jokes. You don’t know the meaning of being still and you like nothing more than discovering new places. You want to be happy and that is a trait I hope you carry with you through life.
Weight: 26 pounds.
Likes: opening drawers, opening doors, feeding Penny from his high chair.
Dislikes: closed doors, being set down for one second while parent grabs a coffee, face licks from Penny.Bonnie
5 years ago
sheesh
5 years agorobo (z6a)
5 years agorobo (z6a)
5 years agolast modified: 5 years agoParty update:
I’m never doing a party that is NOT a drop in again! So easy and people felt at ease to come and go.
The cake turned out beautifully and was delicious. I was giving my friend a hard time for the sheer size (as she was making it she texted me: “I’m just saying his wedding cake might be a disappointment”) but actually we had over 30 guests and it was almost all eaten.
The sun was half a two-layer cake and the rays are white chocolate shards.
Em enjoyed his smash cake.
I didn’t take good pictures of the decor or food but here are 2/6 banners
We did a rainbow fruit tray, colourful candy, charcuterie plate, rainbow veggie tray, cheese and crackers. The relatively healthy snacks were a big hit with the kids/parents (somehow we ended up with like a dozen kids there?)Em was a sociable little guy and had a great time. We timed it for his awake time between naps so he didn’t get overtired or cranky. keeping it short worked well for baby and parents.
All in all it turned out GREAT and I’d do it all again next year.
Funkyart
5 years ago
badgergal