kids party ideas

Out of this World Space Party

Dear Sis,

I can hardly believe William is 4! He has been fascinated by all things space for the better part of six months, so our party theme fell in place very naturally.

We found the solar system banner on Amazon, and plan to put it in William’s room after the party, to go with his new space bedding.

Book

The Story of Space: A first book about our universe by Catherine Barr and Steve Williams William wanted his party to be like book club:)




Cake

I baked the cake in a bowl to get the half sphere shape. I used a heating core to create a more even baking atmosphere. We tinted the tinted the frosting with black Wilton food coloring paste to make it gray and pressed black candy melts into it to create the look of craters. We topped it off with an astronaut figurine and 4 sparkler candles. It was one of the easiest themed cakes I’ve ever made!

We served it with cookies and cream ice cream and vanilla astronaut ice cream. The kids enjoyed trying it, but preferred the real ice cream:)

Crafts

We painted rocket ship picture frames. Before party day, I asked all the moms for photos of their kids, so I could have them ready to go.

I found these cute guys at Michaels and got one for each kid.




Favor

Free Printable: Over the Moon Party Favor Tags

Lunch

Cheese, Sausage, and Veggie Platter

Green Beans (for Charlotte, who is obsessed with canned green beans)

 Mini Chocolate Doughnuts (Black Holes)

Lemonade & Water

Sloppy Joe Sliders (Planets)

Tater Tots (Asteroids)

Montessori Birthday Celebration

  1. Ask kids to sit in a circle.
  2. Place a candle in the center and explain that it represents the sun.
  3. Give the child you are celebrating a ball that looks like earth.
  4. Explain that each time the child circles the sun a year passes. 
  5. Light the candle, and count each circle the celebrated child makes until you reach their new age.
  6. Allow them to blow out the candle. 

This concept is described more thoroughly in How to Raise and Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin, the president of the Montessori Foundation. This is more favorite application book for practicing Montessori at home with my kids! I’m reading some books on theory too, but we’ll get into that another day:)




Song

Zoom, zoom, zoom

We’re going to the moon

Zoom, zoom, zoom

We’re going to the moon

If you want to take a trip

Climb aboard my rocket ship

Zoom, zoom, zoom

We’re going to the moon

5, 4, 3, 2, 1, BLAST OFF! 

We learned this song at library story time last year with, Miss Sarah.

I wish I had more pictures of the occasion, but Josh was working, so I was too busy hosting, to have more “mom” time at the party.

Love,

b

 

William is 3!

Dear Sis,

It is hard to believe my boy that was a tiny baby, not so long ago, is a BIG BOY! …which he reminds me daily. This year he was an active part of planning his party. Here is the plan we made together:

Theme: Construction

Menu:

Build-a-Pizza Bar

Traffic Cone Cheese

Wrecking Ball Grapes

Nuts and Bolts Chex Mix

Dip-Ahead Vegetable Platter

Tile & Mortar Graham Cracker Sticks with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Dip

Apple Juice & Iced Tea

Cake: Cookies & Cream Ice Cream Cake

Favors: Rice Crispy Treat Paint Brushes

Activity: Construction Play Doh Table

We had an wonderful turn out of out-of-state family to celebrate with us and meet 8 week old Charlotte. 

Mom arrived with her parents Thursday evening and stayed though this morning.

Josh’s family arrived Friday evening.

When William saw P-pop (Josh’s dad, on the right) and one of his older brothers,

Great Uncle Buddy, he said, “Two P-pops!” It gave everyone a good laugh.

It’s a rare treat to have a picture of Granny Bob! She usually escapes capture by being the photographer.

Aunt Jamie, Granny, and I in our natural habitat… the kitchen!

Our family doesn’t designate a gift opening time. I let William select, open, and play with each gift one at a time.

It takes all day, but he gets to really appreciate each item before turning his attention to the next one:)

Another rare occurrence… me sitting! I love breast feeding because its great for baby of course, but it is also great for me. It makes me take a minute to sit down and breath, look into those pretty baby eyes that still haven’t decided which color they will be, and remember to enjoy the moment I’m in. Plus, my diaper bag is way less burdened:)

Aunt Angel has become a Charlotte whisperer!

Great Granny (Josh’s Mom’s Mother)

Great (My Mom’s Mother)

Before everyone left Sunday morning, we got our first pictures as a family of four.

Granny Bob was taking some shots before we knew it was photo time.

I like how natural we all look in this one! A true moment captured:)

Love,

b