My Love is a Post

JSmo requested a preview of Caelyn’s 2nd Birthday Party plans. I’m not sure if I should oblige. I mean, what if seeing it before makes it less exciting when you see it in real life? What if what I really do ends up way uglier than the samples I’ve already made? What if you hate my ideas and decide not to come?

But, really, are those good enough reasons to deny my only sister anything?

Plus, it’s fun. So, here ya go, JSmo!

(If you don’t care about making stuff, you should probably skip the text and just look at the pictures.)

Note: I don’t have a “theme.” But I’m using purse imagery to honor Caelyn’s unquenchable love for all things accessory, most especially purses. Last year, I kept things soft, pretty, & pink — like Baby Caelyn. I’m kickin’ the color up a notch this year to match kicked-up Toddler Caelyn and the feel of the location. Also, Caelyn digs bright colors.

Invites Resemble:

This is a prototype and an iPhone pic, so it’s not exactly what they’ll look like. The back will have a 2-layer info card attached.

Location Is:

The Tubes

Tableware Includes:

These plates . . .

These napkins . . .

. . . and coordinating (Red & Orange) solid plates, napkins, cups, & utensils.

I’ll cover the table in one of two ways: 1) White table cloth with colored paper polka dots or 2) White tablecloth with solid colored runner & monogram “buckle” (like a purse with a band/buckle). Or unspoken option 3) Whatever I come up with at the last minute. My choice will depend on which supplies I can find for the best price and my level of crafty feelings.

(JSmo, I probably could use those turquoise trays, after all!)

Other Decor Includes:

Wooden Cs in a variety of sizes covered with coordinating glitter, scattered on the tables.

Another iPhone pic. Obviously, these are very much in progress, hence the paper towel. I’ve only tested one size and one color, but there will be others.

I know what you’re thinking: “Why wood instead of paper?” A) People don’t sell just one letter’s worth of paper/cardboard cut-outs. You pay 12 bucks for a box of 25 letters you don’t need and 1 that you do. B) I’m not a pro with scissors. You’d think they’d make those scrapbook punches in letter shapes, and they probably do, but our scrapbooking store closed — which is unbelievable, given the Frisco style; then again I bet people pay other people to do their scrapbooking in Plano — and they ain’t got ‘em at our craft stores. C) Unfinished wood was 40% off at Hobby Lobby, making these 47 cents for 4. D) Kids eat/tear up/choke on paper.

And little purses like these.

Again, just a prototype/iPhone pic. Also, I’m not sure I remember how I made that bow.

I’ve got a bright red ribbon with orangish dots and a bright green ribbon with white stripes for these too. I’ll scatter theme on the tables, but they’ll also serve as party favors, though I haven’t figured out what to put in them that’s all-ages-appropriate.

Food Includes:

* Chick-fil-a Nuggets

* Assorted Fresh Fruit (Strawberries, Pineapple, Mandarine Oranges, & Bananas. Maybe watermelon. The question is, “Do I cut everything into baby-size bites or let the adults do the cutting?)

* Chips

* Beverages

And, of course, CUPCAKES! . . . But not these and not pink, not because these wouldn’t be cute, but because super-dyed frosting is tricky. It can end up tasting less like frosting and more like dye. So, I’m planning yellow cupcakes with piped (like above) vanilla buttercream frosting with colored sugar and/or sprinkles and more yellow cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting. The chocolate may or may not be piped (heck, none of it may be if it turns out I stink at piping), as Chris claims he won’t like it piped because the frosting to cake ratio will be ruined. (Isn’t that what cupcakes are all about?)

Possibly chocolate chip cookies in the shape of 2s, if I can find a cookie cutter and if I feel like doing all that baking. And especially if I can turn Nestles pre-cut dough into uncut dough and then cut it into 2s. (And, yeah, I’m using a mix for cupcakes. I haven’t met a grandma yet who makes a cake as moist as Duncan or Betty does. Plus, when you pair it up with homemade frosting, which I’ll be doing, it’s the perfect compromise.)

The big catch with the baking is that I don’t really know when to do it. I can bake cookies and freeze them. I guess cupcakes could be done that way too. But I have to frost on Thursday, since we’ll be at the Johnsons’ all day/night on Friday, and the party’s on Saturday. I don’t have the tupperware for storage (must be air-tight for more than overnight keeping) or transportation. I hate to buy cupcake transporters and not use them often (They’re $20+ a piece and only fit 12 cupcakes each) and then have to fit them into my newly-reorganized cabinets. Any ideas from the bakers?

I don’t have any activities planned besides lunch, cake, presents, and playing on the tubes. But I think that’s more than enough for a two-year-old.

And that’s it!

Should you attend this party and discover that it’s nothing like I planned, please give me a pass. I always start with too much and revise down to the punch. (No, I didn’t make it to the punch on this post.) It’s my thing.

Or something like that.