Dickens Opera House 2015 Wedding Show

{Real Parties}

I love when an event all comes together due to the high caliber of the wedding professionals involved.  The Dickens Opera House has never looked so lovely.  I was happy to put this successful wedding show together.

Lighting and Design by Scott set up their "LOVE" letters as well as some colorful uplighting on the stage.

Candlelight Ambiance styled a beautiful mock reception table. Linens, glassware and table settings compliments of All Events Rentals.

Chair covers were arranged through Seated Elegance.

Another mock reception table was designed by White Tree Events.  What fun geometric shapes!

A scrumptious array of hors d'oeuvres was provided by The Dickens Opera House

La Momo Maes brought the treats.

Here's my booth.  I went with a pink, gold and teal theme.

I had lots of fun crafting paper flowers with glitter, painting vases and making big balloon streamers.

Photo Booth of the Rockies set up a super fun Photo Booth area with props galore.

My friend Reverend Kim Tavendale was there.

Ehren Dodson showcased some of my favorite jewelry via Stella and Dot.

We had two great photographers at the show.  Nicole Nichols Photography: 

and Hillside Studios, who generously provided all of the photos that are viewed in this blog post.

I look forward to planning Dickens Opera House's 2016 wedding show!

Sofia the First Party

{Real Parties}

Its no surprise that my kids have always loved Disney Junior.  From Little Einsteins to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, my kids have grown up with these sweet, beloved characters.  So as my daughter's favorite tv show, Sofia the First, she requested the theme and planning of this new child princess whose mother marries into royalty, almost 1 year before her birthday.

The color scheme was easy, a variety of purples, pink, silver, gold and white. I made tissue paper pons and fans, embellished with flowers and jewels as backdrops for the area where I knew we would be taking pictures as well as behind the dessert table.  I sewed by hand the satin table linen with a tulle border.

Now I know that every little girl has their own favorite princess, so we invited guests to come in costume.  We had a trunk of additional dress up clothes as well as beads, tiaras and necklaces to add to the ensembles. Each girl also decorated a magic wand with their names and other sparkles.

Girls took turns getting their nails painted and gems and sparkles applied.

As a surprise to the little girls, we invited Sofia herself to come and share stories and play games with us. She was so good at answering their questions about her family, animal friends (whom she has magical powers to speak to,) and the land that she is from. Wands and Wishes is an amazing, Colorado based company with a ton of real live princess visits to choose from (and they have princes and pirates as well.)

Happy Cakes of Longmont supplied us with a scrumptious variety of cupcakes, including gluten-free options.  Each girl decorated her treat with sprinkles, candies and sugar.

We served strawberry milk at each place setting in these cute plastic milk bottles with patterned purple paper straws (say that 3 times fast!)

Each girl left with a Sofia the First favor bag filled with stickers, notebooks, lipgloss, barrettes and crayons.

Happy 6th Birthday Hailey!

The Confetti Foundation

I want to officially introduce everyone to a non-profit that is dear to me,  The Confetti Foundation.  This charity, started by Stephanie Frazier Grimm, collects donations: monetary, supplies, talent and volunteers, to deliver party starter kits to children spending their birthdays in the hospital.  This idea is quickly becoming national and at this point in time is in 29 Children's Hospitals in 20 states.

Each party kit comes in a 15"x11"x4" box that is to represent opening up a gift.  Inside, children will find: 2 tissue pom decorations, 4 wooden spoons & forks, 4 Napkins, 4 Plates, 4 Cups, 4 straws, Themed Coloring Pages and Crayons (or a bookmark for older kids,) Stickers, a Happy Birthday Banner and a handmade Birthday Card.

Here's how I'm doing my part:

Not only have I been named official "Birthday Fairy" for The Colorado Children's Hospital in Aurora Colorado. (This means that I am the liaison between the foundation and the hospital.  The hospital will let me know when they need more boxes and if there are any special theme requests from their patients.)  The boxes are delivered to my home and I get to personally deliver them to the hospital. I am also getting my 3 children on board to teach them the importance of volunteer work, early on.  They will accompany be to drop off party kits.  Above you see my daughter, age 6, who is excited to be a "birthday fairy."

(She asked if she could dress up like a fairy to do the delivery.)

The hospitals that are getting involved in this project are so excited and have let me know that there is a great need for more boxes.  Enough boxes can only be made though, according to how many monetary donations are received by the foundation.  (Each box costs $22 to make, ship, etc.)  I have decided to donate 10% of the profit that I make from contracting wedding and event planning services to the foundation.  Likewise, for every party kit that is purchased via my ETSY website, one will be donated to a child in the hospital.

Here's how you can do your part:

1. Donate via paypal! Any amount is greatly appreciated.  They are currently trying to earn enough to make 200 boxes by March 15th.
2. Be a Birthday Buddy. 
   
3. Do you love to shop for party supplies as much as I do?  Donate NEW party supplies such as paper straws, stickers and tissue paper poms. View full wish list here.
4. Donate your talent.  Do you have experience in graphic design?  Create new themes for the stickers, banners, etc. More details here.
5. Be a Birthday Fairy or Birthday Hero.  If the Children's Hospital in your area is not yet on the list, reach out to see about bringing them some smiles.  It's not a huge commitment and it is so fulfilling, trust me.  
6. Think of other ways to help: Plan a fundraiser, sell lemonade or cookies.  Do you know any little people who like to color, draw, use stickers and stamps?  Each party box comes with a handmade birthday card, have your child and their friends, or class, or girl scout troop, etc make generic birthday cards (single-sided, on card stock and each in an individual, unsealed envelope,) and mail to:

The Confetti Foundation

78 Thames Street

Newport, RI 02840

6 unconventional kids birthday party venues

If you saw my last post on pros and cons of choosing some of the more popular children's birthday party locations, you know that I have planned A LOT of kids birthday parties.  And I sometimes get bored with the same old same old locations.  I often plan my kids' parties at home because then I have the money that I would have spent to reserve some place, to decorate and transform my own space to fit the theme of the party.  But here are a few other suggestions, forgive me, some of them are local for my Longmont Colorado peeps, but you'll get the gist.

1) Tea House-
Does your little girl love to play tea parties?  Why not invite her friends to the real thing?  Make reservations at a tea house or historic hotel for cream tea and finger sandwiches.  Each girl can come in costume: a dress, hat, gloves and pearls.  The inn keeper may be able to give a lesson on proper etiquette and table manners.

Local Recommendations:
Thompson House Inn Longmont, Colorado
The Boulder Dushanbe Tea House Boulder, Colorado
Lavender n' Lace Eaton, Colorado

2) Factory-
Kids love learning how things are made and to watch big machines.  Even better if there are sweets to sample.  Do some research to see what manufacturing plants are in your area and ask them if they offer group tours.  They may even have a private room that you can use for cake and gifts.  Near me we have a candy making factory, yes with samples, a tea factory, my son loved getting to wear one of their hairnets during the tour or you can watch donuts freshly made and coming down a conveyor belt.  Fun!

Local Recommendations:
Hammonds Candies in Denver, Colorado
Celestial Seasonings in Boulder, Colorado
Krispy Kreme, various locations

3) Toy Store-
What do kids love more than toys?  So what better place to have their birthday party?  Hey, and if you haven't had a chance to pick up a gift, no problem, lots of last minute choices.  Many larger toy stores (and some boutiques) offer a connected play or party room and of course, the best kids of party favors for your guests.

Local Recommendations:
Grandrabbits in Boulder, Colorado
Lego Store- ok, I guess they no longer offer parties on site, but you could still take the kids there for some play and pick some goodies for their party bags.
Toys R Us- Again, not a complete party, but if you sign up for Geoffrey's Birthday Club (free) and then stop by the store around their birthday, they will get a birthday crown, balloon and personalized announcement broadcast to the store.

4) Concert Venue-
Is your child an aspiring pop-star diva like mine?  Some kids are just drawn to the stage and want nothing more than a party where they are the star, spotlights on, music loud.    Concert venues and community theatres are sometimes available for private rental and have some great a/v inclusions.  A big dance floor for the littles to get their wiggles out is a must.  You may even want to spring for a kid-friendly disc jockey to put in charge of spinning those age-appropriate tunes.

Local Recommendations:
Dickens Opera House Longmont, Colorado
Jesters Dinner Theatre  Longmont, Colorado
Boulder Theatre  Boulder, Colorado
Nissi's  Lafayette, Colorado

5) Movie Theater-
Wouldn't it be cool, not just to take the group to watch a movie, but to have your own private viewing of Johnny's favorite flick?  Smaller, privately owned theaters are available to rent and may offer catering options (and mommy and daddy drink options,) as well.

Local Recommendations:
The Kress Cinema  Greeley, Colorado
Boedecker Theater  Boulder, Colorado
Liberty Theatre  Pagosa Springs, Colorado


6) Paintball-
You wont find me there, getting all bruised up, but I bet my boys would love to get out their aggressions by chasing each other around with paintball guns, and I'm sure their friends would too. Make sure to get parents to sign release forms first though.

Local Recommendations:
Blitz Paintball  Dacono, Colorado
American Paintball Coliseum  Denver, Colorado
All Star Paintball  Colorado Springs, Colorado


I would love to hear about the unique place that you held your child's birthday party!  Please leave your comments below.

Pros and Cons of popular kids birthday party venues

I have 3 kids, ages 12, 9 and almost 6.  I love planning parties and have planned parties for each of their birthdays, every year.  This means that at a minimum, not including planning my husband's, friends, family members' and my own birthday parties, that I have planned 27 birthday parties at various locations.  With this experience, I feel that I can share with you some of the pros and cons of booking some of the more popular locations for your child's birthday party.

1)Park/Playground-

Pros-

• Its free, or close to free if you choose to reserve a shelter.
• Easy entertainment- there is usually a play structure, swings, a grassy area to throw a ball around or sand to dig in.
• Easy cleanup- dispose of your trash and pack up the rest.  (Although some shelter rentals do include a cleanup checklist that may include sweeping, etc.)

Cons-

• Weather dependent- you may have to make a back up plan if it rains or snows.
• Cooking on site may be difficult- find out ahead of time if there will be grills or firepits to cook on, otherwise you will have to bring all of your own food.
• Bathrooms- may not be easily accessible, or even in the area at all.

2)Pool-

Pros-

• Unlimited hours of fun in the sun- who doesn't love sunbathing and splashing in the water?
• Fun for all ages- if you have a variety of ages coming to the party, this fits the bill for any age
• Easy favor ideas- give each kid a squirt toy and a beach ball and they are good to go.

Cons-

• Again, weather plays a factor.  Obviously you can only do a pool party in the summer, unless you plan at an indoor pool.
• Supervision- many pools, for good reason, have requirements on how many adults need to be there to supervise small children.  If parents are dropping off their kids and coming back later, you better keep a good eye on their prized possessions while in your care.

3)Bowling-

Pros-

• Taking a group of kids to a bowling alley is an affordable party option.  Just pay for their shoes and however many games they will play.
• No reservations needed.  Unless you are reserving a party room, just show up with your clan.  You should probably at least call ahead though to make sure that its not a league night.
• Great music!  Bowling alleys are always playing the top 40.  An added bonus, plan the party for their nighttime laser bowling times.  Have your guests wear white and blacklight friendly clothing for extra fun!

Cons-

• This party will only work with kids of a certain age and certain athletic ability.
• Bowling can be a competitive sport.  Hope that none of your guests end up taking the game to seriously and then put in a sour mood if they lose the game.

4)Home-

Pros-

• Its free!  No deposit required.
• You will have unlimited time to set up and decorate.
• On site kitchen.  
• It will give you an excuse to clean the house?

Cons-

• Limited room- if your house is like mine, you may have limited seating and table space.
• No built in activities.  You are going to have to plan some activities to keep the kids busy if you don't want your house destroyed.
• Pets- you may have to lock up Fido during the party.  Also, if you have a dog or cat, give your guests a heads up in case they have any allergies.
• You will have to clean your house.

5)Rollerskating Rink-

Pros-

• It will bring back nostalgic feelings about your own childhood parties.
• It is great exercise.  Parents will be thanking you for how well their kids sleep that night.
• No one will feel left out.  Yes its fun to skate in a group, holding hands, but kids can also skate individually, at their own speed and there wont be any hurt feelings about who is whose "best friend."

Cons-

• Someone will inevitably be injured, hopefully not badly, but someone will be bumped into, get there fingers run over or hurt their bum when they fall.
• A color scheme? If you like to coordinate all of your party decor, this may be a tough one to figure out based on the venue.  How about a rainbow colored theme?
• Favors? Again, if you like to give out party favors centered around a theme, rollerskating is a tough one to figure out.  How about some glow in the dark shoelaces that the kids can wear in their skates during the party and then can take with them afterwards?

6)Mini-golf-

Pros-

• This party is pretty inexpensive as well.  Just pay for the games that are played.
• Older siblings and families can join in the fun as well.
• Choose an indoor or outdoor mini-golf range, depending on the season.

Cons-

• Some kids have short attention spans.  Mini-golf is still a hit or miss with my younger two kids.  I feel like someone in our family always ends up just kicking the ball into the hole once we get about halfway through the course.
• Depending on how many guests you invite, you may have to split up into a few separate groups, otherwise the game will go on way, way too long.
• At most mini-golf courses you are going to run into the problem of not having anywhere to do the cake and gifts.  Ask in advance if you might be able to set up camp at a nearby picnic table.

Hopefully this list saves you some time to figure out what the best option for your child's next birthday party will be.

Stay tuned for my next post on pros and cons of some of my more non-traditional venue suggestions.

Funny Love Cards

My husband always tells me not to buy him a birthday card, anniversary card, Valentine's Day card, etc because he thinks that they are a waste of money.  Let's face it, men don't always appreciate meaningful words as much as we do.  But even he, I think would get a kick out of some of these funny love cards that I found on Etsy.  View my complete treasury here.

by Craft Goblin

by Page Fifty Five

by Julie Ann Art

by West Mama

by Emma Miller Lettering

by UUPP

by Craft Colorfully