Thursday, July 24, 2008

From Puppies and Rainbows to Leather Whips

In my previous life, I was an event's planner. I am sure of it. I love to fill our house with friends and plan our next great event. I spend too much time thinking about menus, linens, and place settings. I stress over the music we will play and how each guest we invite will mingle. I am the executive party planner of our family and enjoy the title. I love to throw a party.

Our Halloween party is the biggest event we throw each year. Next to that, is Jay's summer birthday party.

For his first birthday party we invited our entire extended family and everything from the decorations to the music matched the teddy bear theme. Each guest left with a cute and cuddly bear with personalized tags. It WAS delicious.

Puppies and rainbows level of cuteness.

For his second birthday we invited the family, one new neighbor, and a new friend and everything from the plates to the live entertainment matched the clown theme. The clown we hired filled every one's arms with incredible balloon creations. It WAS adorable.

Puppies and rainbows level of cuteness was met again.

For Jay's third birthday we had a good mixture of playgroup friends and family and everything matched the ice cream social theme. The happy toddlers created enormous ice cream sundaes and everyone went home with their own personalized candy jar filled to the rim with colorful M&Ms. It WAS yummy.

Puppies and rainbows level of cuteness, of course.

Something happened when Jay turned four. He developed his own tastes and was introduced to commercialism. "Mama, I wanna a GO DIEGO GO party." Not being a big fan of the Latin animal rescuer or commercialism, I pushed aside my opinions and respected his. My mother-in-law created a beautiful cake, I spent hours creating paper palm trees, we booked Jungle Jim the traveling animal show, and we filled out house with preschool, playgroup, and neighborhood friends. It WAS delightful.

Puppy level of cuteness. Still not a big fan of the Latin animal rescuer with a man's pack. But still, it was rather cute.

When Jay turned five he went over to the dark side. Life was all about Star Wars. We breathed Star Wars for months. I bought Jay his first dark T-shirt and plastic Darth Vader helmet. In no time, the Storm Troopers were using Thomas the Train as their main mode of transportation through the island of Sodor. There was no room for puppies and rainbows. I acknowledged his taste and acceptably purchased a terribly ugly cake and dark decorations. That is all. We drove those hideous party supplies down to our local pool and had a "Star Wars Pool Party" with 44 beach balls. It was a win-win situation where both parties were happy. It WAS acceptable.

The rainbow was slowly fading.

Jay turns six this month and the rainbows and puppies are no longer in the picture. Star Wars has been replaced by something more violent, more ugly, more not cute. You see. When I had salmonella poisoning last month I did what any good mother would do. I curled up in bed and threw my first born son in front of the TV, while the girls napped.

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom entertained my son while I slept uncomfortably in pain only getting up to race to the bathroom. Days later we started planning his birthday.

"Indiana Jones! I want a Temple of Doom party."

"Really? You really want that?" I frowned. "How about a jumping party? We can rent a big jumping house."

"No. Indiana Jones, mom. PLEASE?"

So. After throwing out a gazillion more cute ideas I logged on the computer for inspiration. We sat before the computer and searched for an acceptable image of Indiana Jones for his party invitations. Jay watched as I clicked from image to image and loved each one more then the first.

"That is soooooooo awesome, Mama!!!"

"No."

"THAT one is soooooooo awesome, Mama. Look!!!"

"No."


"AWESOME!"

"No, way."

"So cool. Awesome!!!"

"No."

"But. It is awesome TO me. It is, Mama. It is really awesome to me."

"Jay, handsome. What kinda of cake is going to match this Indiana Jones party? Nothing is going to match these pictures."

"I have a great idea."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah. We can buy a plain white cake and buy a leather whip and put it on top. The whip could be on top and fall over the cake. THAT is soooooo awesome. That would be the most awesome cake in the world."

"Oh, Jay. I don't think so. That is not so awesome to me, I don't like weapons. Besides, I don't even know where to buy a leather whip."

"We can just google dot com it and look for leather whip stores. See. I can solve this problem."

"No." I said and imagined what that google search would look like. For once, I was thankful that the kid can not type out words phonetically.

"But, Mom. It is sooooooo awesome. A huge whip on top of the cake."

"No." I frowned again and tried to picture sweet puppies and colorful rainbows and what the heck have I done to my first born child? What have I created?

"But......"

"Look Jay. How about this picture for your invitations...."


"Now, THAT is sooooooo AWESOME!!!!!!!!"

"Yes, I agree. This can be awesome." I smile in agreement.

"I know what we can do to the cake. We can buy a plain cake and some new Indiana Jones Legos and put those on top of the cake."

"Yes. That is a great idea."

So. I sent out the Indiana Jones Lego party invitation and booked a balloon artists for our entertainment and we are ready for our next event. I know Jay will request that the clown make him some balloon swords and whips. I am stressing over what to serve and what color of plates will match the theme and if so and so will talk to her and them.

But, I already know what I am going to wear to his party. I am the executive party planner.

***** The winners of the picnik giveaway are listed below. ******

86classy comments:

Indy said...

Will you have a whip and heels? Ha!
Am I #1?????

Indy said...

Hey, I just saw your photos on Kim's page and girl, you had a good time. You look so happy in those photos.

Suburban Correspondent said...

Licorice whips, of course!

Quarantine Hobby said...

Hahaha! I love that he wanted to get a white cake and put a WHIP on it! That's hilarious.

Sounds like it will be cute after all, though :) I'm sure you'll make it positively wonderful. I'm already looking forward to hearing more about it.

Maureen said...

Oh, Indy IS awesome!

(and I am a Star Wars geek so I wish I had a SW party).

When my daughter was younger, each year we'd do a theme party. One year was Snoopy, then Lion King, then Pokemon, Spice Girls, Harry Potter, Survivor and Amazing Race parties (as she grew, so did the work!) It was great though. I loved preparing for weeks beforehand, but was so glad when it was all over!

LOVE the Indy Legos!!!

Amy said...

I think that shirt is so awesome, I'm a skull and crossbones kinda gal! I hate when they start getting opinions about their parties, Halloween costumes, what they're wearing to school...
Dang kids, STOP GROWING UP!

Rhea said...

haha love the t-shirt you're going to wear. And, I'm impressed, Lego Indiana Jones is a good compromise!

We passed puppy dogs and rainbows a looooong time ago here in my house. :o)

MarĂ­a said...

First -
Random.org

Second - I want that game!!! LOL

krissy said...

Okay, I am going to slap myself in the face a few times and smack my husband (for the fun of it) and look over and over a thousand times to see if that is really my name. Can it be??? Is it really Krissy? I screamed out loud which caused my husband to jump and say some rude words and that's where I smacked him.

Anyway, if it is me. my email address is sdiver1973@unitelsd.com
I couldn't love you anymore but I am freaking out.

Oh, and by the way, I couldn't get into the comments section of the winner post.

And I hope that this doesn't change your mind and you give my PicNic to someone else but I love the Indiana Jones Theme. Sorry, big fan.

Val said...

Hey, Laurie over at tipjunkie dot blogspot dot com has a post on Indiana Jones party ideas. I'm sure that is what my son will want for his birthday, though it's not until Feb. He is addicted to the PS3 Lego Indiana Jones game and the Lego Star Wars games.

Quarantine Hobby said...

By the way, you should use random.org for your contests (if you have more in the future, of course). I couldn't comment on that post...

Anonymous said...

:) I was an event planner in a past life too but now if its not a potluck then you know its not at my house*grin

Just following up from that event you said was mentioned for the last time :) stumbled and emailed you .

Karrine

Val said...

Thanks so much. I was so excited to see my name on the list of winners. Thanks to picnk too!

CC said...

I love the compromise... but COME ON! You gave up on a chance to have a partly-shirtless Harrison Ford invite????

Blessings From Above said...

I am cracking up at the thought of a whip on top of the cake!!!

BTW, if you change your mind on the cake, Ambiance has a great selection of whips. Ummm, at least that is what I heard. ;)

Sarah said...

Oh, I sympathize! My seven year old had an Indiana Jones party last May. I also settled on the 'Lego' image for the invitations and used Legos to decorate the cake. We went to a local roller rink to play laser tag. Definitely not the party I would have planned, but my little guy loved it, and that's all that really matters. Wouldn't you know that they came out with Indiana Jones party supplies on line the day AFTER his party?! My little guy enjoyed coming up with creative ways to weave the theme into the party, though - we had treasure hunts and gave away goody bags filled with bugs and snakes and other treasures, all packaged in brown packages tied with twine. Good luck with the party, I'm sure your little guy will love it - and remember that you probably have a few more years of puppies and rainbows with your girls!

Beth said...

Just borrow a whip from me. *laugh!*

Get them Indiana Jones hats and they'll be good to go!

Gretchen said...

Listen, gal, you are way too good to your kids. At our house you get a big b-day party when you're 1, 5, and 10. We have 4 kids so unless they get jobs of their own, they get the "family only" party for the other ages. But Yay You for going out of your way to make them feel extra-special on their special day!!

Heather said...

I am sure it will all work itself out.

Cute shirt, what kind of heels will you wear with that? Skirt? Pants? I must know!

lattemommy said...

I love, love, love the Indiana Jones Lego idea! Such a great compromise! You're such a good mommy for finding a way to let him have the party he wants without making your head explode.

oh, and you totally have to wear that shirt now. And post pictures of people's reaction. ;)

Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] said...

Why do kids think they have an OPINION. Kids... Cheese n'rice...

SF said...

Honey, enjoy it while he still 'allows' you to plan his parties! Before you know it, he'll be 17, could care less about a party because his only concerns will be girls and a car!

Natalie said...

You had me at whip. I KNEW what you were thinking. HILARIOUS.

I gave up any hope of actually having any say in his party when he requested a Power Ranger cake this year (that matched an AWFUL one I had made for someone else last year). He got over Power Rangers, but now loves Batman. I think we're going to the Lego Store.

carrie said...

Wyatt was running around tonight w/a cowboy hat on and a horse whip pretending to be "Indy."

I have no doubt that Jay's party will be the best ever!

Clare said...

That reminds me of the time my 13-year-old daughter wore her "Nightmare Before Christmas" sweat-shirt (and gloves) to Christmas dinner at Grandpa's house. No velvety dress, no big red bow in her hair...just Jack the Pumpkin King's mug smiling at all of my family members.

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I love this post!
Take heart, little girl love 'cute' for many, many years. Lots of puppies and rainbows still await in your future!

just jamie said...

I feel ya on the theme parties. I never buy my kids character clothing, but let them go to town with their cheesy PJ's. I figure it's a compromise. You made Indy into a cutie with the lego theme. Very classy my friend.

Glowstars said...

Have you sorted a themed menu too - crystal skulls made from sugar... or maybe you could just go for those man-eating ants? Would clear up for you perfectly!

Anonymous said...

This is hilarious. I have girls so they always want pooh or princess stuff. We are having a Dora party for my youngest this year. I try to do different themes due to both my daughters looking similar I don't want to get pictures confused. They have different tastes also so individuality is good. At least he is 6 and you can still sway him towards other "awesome ideas".

Anonymous said...

Your parties sound like a lot of fun! I know it will be great.

Rach (Mommy Learns to Blog) said...

I so enjoyed reading this post. I loved the yearly reminiscing (with such detail). Sounds like your little man is growing up! The party is going to be perfect, and I love the shirt you'll be wearing (with matching stilettos, right?)! You'll do a great job, we all know how classy it will be!

Manager Mom said...

Hee... maybe they can fashion a whip out of brown icing? Please post pictures of "the outfit."

Rach (Mommy Learns to Blog) said...

BTW, tell that dashing dentist of a husband how sad I am that I didn't win the picnik subscription!!! I think you should tell picnik that your readers are in an uproar and you need about 50 more subscriptions to give away, then host a really good contest!

Lisa said...

We are soul mates, I tell you! I super puffy heart planning parties. Dinner parties, birthday parties - you name it, I love it! I agree though - girl parties are easier to plan with rainbow and puppy dog happiness....maybe it's time for Lola or Fifi to take on the role of reigning birthday princess???

PS - Thank GOD you did not let Jay "google dot come" the leather whip. That is wonderfully classic!

Anonymous said...

I love, love, LOVE planning our affairs. My fav was a Pirate Playdate. It was really cool.

Karen MEG said...

For a second I thought for SURE you were going to be adorned in a leather whip of sorts ;).

But you know me, I love that TEE... I'm all about skulls.

So, the evolution of the boy, yes, we went through several (although my boy a bit older, went Blues Clues, Thomas the Tank, Hot wheels, Star Wars...). He loved the new Indiana movie but thinks his mom would find it a bit intense.

Glad you came to a lego compromise .. whew!
(PS. Jay is brillers, "just google dot com" so smart!).

Now we've got the girl...

Crystal D said...

BaHahahahaha! I love the shirt. yes, I believe having a boy will make you get rid of the puppies and rainbows themes faster than you are ready for. Thank goodness you still have Lola and Fifi for all the sugary sweetness. Of course that is until they want soccer and basketball parties. :)
You could always do a "dirt" cake (with the crushed cookies) and put snakes/worms on it. Little boys would love that.

Stephanie said...

The Lego's are a very cute idea. I love that.

Thank goodness you did not Google leather whips - haha!

Kim said...

Snort! Love how it translated on the blog.. too much fun. And the invitation is ADORABLE!!

PS.. I second Maria.. I use Random.org all the time for the giveaway stuff.

Kimmylyn

Anglophile Football Fanatic said...

A whip? Maybe whipped cream? Or licorice whips? And, my 31 year old child says Lego Indiana Jones on Wii is the best game ever (until the next comes out).

Unknown said...

What I wouldn't give to see you in a Hat, a Whip and Stilettos. Ouch! Gives me goosebumps.

GypsiAdventure said...

Ha, that's funny! At least you still have girls, there's got to be some rainbows and puppies in there somewhere right?
~K

Ashley said...

ooooh party panning is fuuun! Can't wait to hear more about it!

Miss Lisa said...

I would take a leather whip over a clown anyday--clowns just creep me out ;)

Have a fun party!

krissy said...

I just wanted to give you hugs again because I am one happy gal!!

I need to get out more!

C and C Mommy said...

I feel the same way...my son had a cowboy party, a football party, and a hunting party. Each year I have been able to convince him NOT to have a Power Ranger party or Batman party, but it gets harder and harder the older he gets. Oh well, he has a great time...that is what matters. I love the shirt!!

Tonya said...

glad you settled on the lego one. it is by far the best one!

Don Mills Diva said...

Can't wait to see pics from the party!

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

Oh, so fun! I love that they have opinions!!

And, I would not google "whips!" YIKES!

Unknown said...

Haha. It could be worse. My son wanted a dog food cake for his 6th birthday. His older brother had a kitty litter cake for his. The gross & disgusting phase is soooo much fun!

tiarastantrums said...

There are toy whips, really, they are mesh, is the toy section, Indy section. If you are interested in a gift for your son. (Hasbro FX Whip). (no I didn't buy it, my son likes swords) Too bad you're not over here, they just opened LegoLand in the burbs!!

Thanks again!!

Anti-Supermom said...

I think Harrison Ford would be so happy to know that he is still 'in' with the young crowd! You worked your mommy magic very well on this one.

Dziadek said...

Dziecko,przeciez my mamy "bicze" w sklepie
"Na Brata""Na siostre",Na tesciowa,Na syna, itd.Zaraz wysle ci zdjecie.
Zreszta gdzies tez masz "Trzy paski".

Ali said...

you HAVE to wear that shirt. seriously~

The Daily Stroll said...

I love planning parties too! I already stress over Jonah's birthday parties and he's only two years old! So far I haven't had to worry about a "themed" party but I'm sure my day will come! Jay's suggestion about the whip and google is hilarious! Can't wait to see the pics from the party! I'm sure it will be a blast!

SECRET AGENT MAMA said...

I'm with Lou, I wanna see you in the stilletos with the whip and maybe some leather! Maybe we could coordinate some outfits for BlogHer09...

I think Jay will have the bomb of all parties with you throwing it, btw!

Te lubam!

Anonymous said...

I shudder what he would find on the internet if he googled *whips*. Oh no

You guys came to a great compromise.

And you could always dress up as the Cate Blanchet character. You (almost) have the hair for it, and I'll bet your accent (do you have a polish accent?) would be way cool.

Eve Grey said...

He watched the REAL Indy Jones & the Temple of Doom movie? My kids would crap their pants from fear & never sleep alone. Seriously.

Courtney said...

You could make a lego cake and then put the new legos on top. Have you seen the lego cakes? They are great and from what I hear really easy to make.

Mama Smurf said...

That is about the most imaginative and creative cake idea I've heard.

I used to love planning the birthday parties but all 3 of my kids' birthdays are within 5 weeks of Christmas. Try as I might there would be no summer birthdays in our home. There must be something in the air in March. It became way too stressful planning all these around the holidays. So I have since opted for the easy way out...we now do laser tag, bounce house, skating, or any other venue of choice and pay someone ELSE to do all the planning. Now all I have to do is send out invites and make goodie bags...=)

I'm all about stress free living!

Cynthia said...

I am really not ready for my kiddos to have their own opinions! Seems like you found a good compromise though:)

Chris said...

Way to compromise! And I love the t-shirt. They always grow up too fast.

Rachel said...

I was rolling with this post; his cake ideas are wonderful!

I'm so glad my daughter hasn't developed an opinion yet -- I already have the next 3 birthdays planned!

Jessica said...

Just as an idea to throw out...you can color regular sugar to look like sand or use a light dusting of brown sugar....cover your white butter cream cake to make it look like a big sand dune for his action figures....I actually was an event planner in my pre-mommy life ...smile...smile

Aimee said...

Thankfully, we are still in the puppies and rainbows stage - for now. I sure do love theme parties though. Once I get something in my head, I obsess over it! :)

Helen Wright said...

This is what I have to look forward too?!?!?!?

We are slowly moving out of the puppies and rainbow stage!! I too put it towards marketing!!!

The first 3 birthdays were about cute things that our son liked. cars, rock & roll, and the ocean. This past one it was all about superheroes and how they fight.

Clare said...

So funny, what I have to look forward too. I should have enjoyed Bradley's jungle animal party this year more!! I know it will turn out perfect!

XO, Clare

Marmarbug said...

I was laughing at loud at your reactions to the pictures of Indy. And yes thank GOD your son can not type "leather whips" into Google. That would just be terrible. Terrible!!!!!

Unknown said...

http://www.babydreams.com/indijonesboulderrollcaketopper.html

BusyDad said...

We're so going. Fury loves Indiana Jones and I love a skillfully wielded whip.

Mandy said...

Your son seems very creative. Too cute!!!

Your compromise was awesome. It still had a little bit of rainbow left. :)

I love it!!! You will have to take pics for sure.

April said...

You know what's sad? Some people would've totally gone for the whip idea! You rock, OhMommy. Oh, and could you please plan Sylvia's bday party? It's on Halloween!

Jaina said...

Your parties sound awesome, I love planning parties. I hope to hear more about how this one turns out!

Kat said...

Wow! That IS so awesome!

Kelly said...

Sometimes it's hard when they start to get minds of their own! LOL
He'll have an awesome party!

Jo Ashline said...

HAHAH! this is hilarious; I can relate absolutely! We went from Winnie the Pooh to Superheroes and had the dark spider man come and lead everyone in the Pinata. Our cakes went from serene scenes and beautiful colors to BLACK and more BLACK. This year, for superman's party, I am having a company come out and grill mexican food so i can finally SIT ON MY KEISTER!!

kocham!

duchess said...

Check out Sippy Cups are made for Chardonay. She did a great Indiana Jones party for her son.
Might help with some ideas.
Good luck.

Rachel said...

Mom, you are so awesome! :-)
What fun. We don't do huge birthdays but you're making me want to!
i love parties, baking, cooking and planning them :-) You're so fun.
I'm envisioning licorice whips for the adults ;-)

XOXO

Wendi said...

White cake with a whip?
Can't. stop. laughing.
Love that you compromised.
Can't wait to hear more about it.
Take lots of pictures.

* Random (dot) org

Chelsea said...

That totally reminds me of my mom. She had a book on party-planning for kids. We had some grand ones. :)

Good compromise on this one!

Zoeyjane said...

Google lego starwars. Then be sad that you didn't have a lego cake last year. Think of how sad BusyDad would be...

Unknown said...

If you really want to do an Indiana Jones Party, check this out. Lots of great ideas...

http://tipjunkie.blogspot.com/2008/07/indiana-jones-birthday-party.html

3 Peanuts said...

Hapoy birthday to Jay. My kids LOVE the Indiana Jones Legos!!! It is hard to see them grow up.

Kim

MommyTime said...

My friend and I just read this post out loud and laughed so hard our bellies hurt. You are amazing. I hope this party is AWESOME. And I shudder to think what I'm in for in two years...

VDog said...

ZOMG, LMAO!!

TOO funny. Good luck with that commercialism thing -- I am SOOO not looking forward to it!

Unknown said...

adorable! :) kathleen

 

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