Category — Party
Thomas Train Birthday Party!
This weekend we had Mr. Z’s 4th Birthday party. Of course, it has to be Thomas The Tank Engine Birthday party. It was an eventful day because if you have heard we had severe storm (Tornado watch) in our area. So right before the party, there were rain, hails and strong wind. We did actually had to run down to the basement for a few minutes. A good Tornado drill for our family. But eventually, the storm passed and the sky was as clear as a Spring day.
The planning for his birthday was easy.
LocationAt our home. I planned for about 10-15 kids so I know that we can handle it in our house. Plus it’s free of charge.
Invitation
I have used eVite for Miss J on her birthday and I think that will be my invitation from now on. It’s cheap (free) and it saves the environment and it’s easy to use. What not to love about that.
Food
Pizza, fruit salad, chex mix, choc covered pretzel and juice.
Cake
Can’t have a Thomas birthday without Thomas cake. I resourced to my old friend, Publix. But I feel so bad for all the parents since this cake is a real buster. It can get to their face and the color will stay for a bit. Nothing a good wash with soap can’t clean. I have to put a note that Mr. Rojo reminds me that I swear that I won’t order this cake last year. Oh! well, I have such a short memory. So now I will put it in writing that next year I will order different cake. It just looks so adorable! But the cake is way too big..
ActivitiesI’m not into planning games for them. I just laid out several train tracks. The kids were too busy to do anything else. We had wooden track, lego track, battery operated track and also remote control train. Plenty of trains for everyone.
I also laid out the train shape wood that kids can color and put the stick-on magnet to bring home as a magnet for their fridge.
After the cake we also had Thomas Pinata. It was a big hit for everyone. Eventhough, the strings didn’t work quite well. We just poke it out for the candies. Again, sorry parents for too much sugar! :)
Party Favors
I bought blue paper bag from Michael’s and filled it with whistle that I put Thomas sticker on, Thomas pencil that we got from Thailand, paddle ball with train picture, a few candies in train wrapper. Then they will get to add candies from pinata and also their train magnet.
It was fun planning this party and I think we had fun eventhough it was stressful at time with the severe weather news on the background. :)I am not sure how many more Thomas The Tank Engine birthday we will have. Guess it might be for a while…
March 17, 2008 2 Comments
Build-A-Bear… Where Best Friends are made…
This weekend we didn’t make it to IKEA. We went to a birthday party at Build-A-Bear store. This is the first time for the kids but my hubby and I had been there before. It was such a fun experience for them. I think just the idea that they have the say in everything their bear to be made have made a huge impact on them.
It was a busy day though. The party has 19 kids. Just to imagine that and that didn’t include other customers in the store.
First step is to pick your bear or bunny or turtle.. There are more than just a bear. Once that’s done then they move to the Stuff Me station. This is where they get to put a heart into their little friend and see how it comes to life. (not litterally but you know what I mean)
Then we couldn’t possibly bring home a bear without giving them a proper bath. The bath station is cute and fun. Sure does help them learn to about good hygiene.
Next, we need to dress him up. This is where the store really makes a lot of money. There are lots of options for them from normal outfit shirt and skirt to sport fan outfit. Or even Limited Too version of a bear..
Then you will get to register your bear and receive a birth certificate just like bringing home your brand new baby.. What a concept!!!
There are several other copy cat type of stuffing bear that you can see when you walk in the mall or shopping area. But I think the whole thing is not just about stuffing your own bear but the whole experience in the store. Walking around to pick up your bear, stuff him, clean him and dress him.
February 4, 2008 No Comments
A birthday for train-fanatic son…
I know it’s a tad too early to be planning a March birthday party. But knowing that I might have to think about several things to do I might as well put my thought in my blog.
At least I know that there is one certain thing. The party will be a train theme and most likely Thomas the Tank Engine. We did have Thomas cake last year for him but there was nothing plan to coordinate that since it was 3 years old birthday. But now that he will be 4 and can participate more I want to add extra little things to make it more special.
I have read several great ideas online about planning Thomas birthday. But a lot of it involves too much planning and making. I need to really think about it.
Here are some of the tips that I want to consider:
1) Mark the driveway as a train track. This seems to be simple to do by using the masking tape to create a train track.
2) Create a train box for each kid. This might be a bit of a stretch depending on how many kids we want to invite. I still don’t know if I want to do boys only party or all ages party. I think at this age he doesn’t discriminate yet. :) The train box idea is neat I might just cut it down to just one and the kids can take turn. But again, it might be begging for a disaster since we know how sharing work so well in little kids. The box is created from diaper box and painted it then attached a string so they can wear it. The wheel makes some plastic plate. Seems easy enough. I do have a diaper box so if I want to do one I can.
3) Indoor or outdoor… This will depend on the mother nature and how the weather will be then. I would love to do it outdoor to minimize the disaster in my house.
4) Projects will include coloring train pictures when they arrive. Then I will have them do the project for painting the train car when everyone is here. There are several good ideas for the craft projects including decorating a picture frame, decorating door hanger. I will have to see the cost on this one.
5) If we can do it outdoor, I also plan something along the line of decorating the wagon to be a train and attach it to our ride on car. Not sure how well that will do but gotta try it. Well, I admit I originally want to rent trackless train.. But the price is way too over our budget for a little boy birthday. So we have to be creative on this.
January 30, 2008 1 Comment
