LalaLoopsy Ballet Birthday Party {at the dance studio}

Michaela Byrd turned six years old in January and requested a LalaLoopsy themed birthday party. With a month old new baby and limited time on my hands, I wisely called the girls' dance studio and booked a date. I wanted to share a few pictures from Byrdie's LalaLoopsy Ballet Birthday Party today.

I can't stress enough how much this party didn't stress me out! Still struggling with adjusting to life with a newborn, juggling schedules with the older two, etc., I knew there was no way I'd be up to hosting something in our home just a month after my c-section. With the excitement over all the fun the teachers had planned, the girls didn't notice that I kept the decorations, food, and drink to a minimum.

For a small fee, our party included:
use of a dance classroom
two teachers
dress up tutus for the kids to use while they played
set-up time

The girls who led the class were amazing. One is a regular instructor at the studio and the other is a dancer. They helped with set-up, ran all of the party games and activities, and helped us with take-down. Many studios offer this kind of service, and I am so glad ours does!

The birthday girl (and her big sis) didn't feel like wearing their leotards and tights, so we opted for ballet shirts and leggings. Michaela Byrd's tutu is a hand-me-down from her sis and comes from Harper's Hat Box. They both wore their ballet slippers.

As I said before, I made life a whole lot simpler on myself by purchasing a party pack at the local party store.

Our party store carries LalaLoopsy decorations, invitations, plates, and plain colored table cloths. Honestly, the kids could have cared less that I didn't have a chance to make the button garland I had planned to create, and that I forgot to order balloons. I'm sure Byrdie would have loved the extra decor, but she certainly didn't miss it or ask why I left things out!

Activities included stretches and warm-ups (obviously with a fun twist to it), movements across the floor, "musical dots," and learning a choreographed dance to their favorite Frozen song! I loved that part (not something we did at Natalie's Tinkerbell party), and Michaela Byrd got to be the soloist since she was the birthday girl!

They also played freeze dance, and we had cake and juice boxes...I made a picnic on the dance floor with a plastic table cloth, and the birthday girl got to open her gifts.

Favors were a coloring book and an "art pack" for each girl that I picked up in Target's Dollar Spot months ago. All I did was add some ribbon and a little "thanks for coming to my party" note that I whipped up on Microsoft Publisher.

All in all, very simple, but a great morning. Several parents approached me the next week to remark over how much fun their daughters had, and one little girl even signed up to start taking ballet with Michaela.

I might not have saved as much money as I would have if we hosted at home or if I had used my craft stash to whip up some decorations, but I kept things simple and saved myself time by purchasing a few items (and using Byrdie's LalaLoopsy figurines), and that was perfection for me!

If you have a dance studio in your area, you should suggest a dance party if they don't already offer them. It was perfect for a winter birthday...so hard when the kids can't get outside!

What's your favorite outside-the-home venue for parties?

*You can view Natalie's Tinkerbell Ballet Party here. I've also shared our American Girl Store Bistro party, a Barbie Party at Home, a Cinderella party, and an Under the Sea party.*

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Where to Host a Birthday Party (Tips and Ideas)

Welcome back to my {Budget} Birthday Party Planning 101 series! Last week, we talked about choosing a theme. Today, we're going to look at venues; where to host the party. I hope you'll join me and share your own experiences in the comments section!

Party venues can be a tricky business because when you're planning a party on a budget, renting out the local day spa for 24 of Janey's dearest friends and spending $30 a pop for pedicures just isn't wallet-friendly for most of us. But hosting a spa party at home certainly can be. And sometimes we just have to weigh our time and stress levels versus what we are willing to spend. It's all about being creative!

With the exception of your party theme, make sure you think about your venue first! Sometimes they go hand-in-hand: luau at a pool, bowling at the bowling alley, golfing at the mini-golf place, etc.

ice skating party: source

luau pool party: source

bowling alley birthday: source

 ballet studio party

American Girl Store bistro lunch party

Hosting at home is usually the least expensive way to go. If your child's birthday falls during the warmer months, you can utilize your back yard, particularly if your home is on the small side, like mine. But hosting at home can also be stressful, particularly during the holidays.

1. Is your home too small to accommodate a large group?

Consider hosting a smaller party! A radical statement, I know.

I'm not sure when or how birthday parties evolved into productions with whole families invited and meals and favors and 45 kids present. I've seen many a birthday child (or guest!) have a melt-down because the whole scene was just too chaotic. If you can afford to host a bunch of neighborhood families and your child will be comfortable with a big crowd, or if you have a large family, then go for it. Especially for a 1st birthday...such a milestone!

I used to think that if we didn't have a big party with a cook-out and outdoor pinata (in January?) and lots of kids and games and balloons, then we had failed as parents. But my children are just as content with the 5 to 10 guests than if I had invited 25. Now that the girls are older, moms drop the friends off, and we have a blast for a couple of hours. Very low-key. A small party is okay! Repeat, a small party is okay!

2. If your home is too small to comfortably host a large group (or any group!), look into partying somewhere else:

A close relative's home, a park, bouncy house place, indoor sports facility, playground, dance studio, farm, ice skating rink, bowling alley, art studio, kids' chef academy, favorite restaurant or dessert place, etc.

Yes, many of these spots cost money, but sometimes it is worth the extra cost to save your sanity! With Natalie's December birthday, her ballet studio party and American Girl Store bistro lunch party were a life-saver for me. I didn't have to stress about decorating my home for a holiday and a party. The facilities planned events, food, etc. It was worth it to me to be able to enjoy my girl's birthday as well as the holiday season without turning into a scary mommy.

3. Check out the location before you book a party!

Websites don't always display the best photos. That "petting zoo" may be a three legged goat and some cranky geese. Things may look different in reality, and it may not work as well as you would think for your child or situation.

4. Ask questions

-How much is the deposit? Is it credited to your party total?

-What's their policy on outside decorations? Some venues don't allow them, and some are unable to accommodate the kind or amount of party decor you want to use. Local park pavilions and playgrounds don't often have walls to hang banners or posters on. You'll have to get creative.

-Is there a limit or minimum number of guests?

-Are there any "extras" (invitations, thank you notes, favors)

-Do they provide food or drink? If not, what are you allowed to bring in?

-What kind of activities will be planned?

-How long will you have use of the facility? Is there extra time to set up and clean up?

Once you've made the decision to host at home or book a local hot-spot, you can move forward. Next week, we'll chat about invitations!

Any favorite destinations for kids' parties, or do you love hosting at home?

*You can read from the beginning of the series here.

If you enjoyed this post, or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments!

Choosing a Party Theme (Birthday Party Planning 101)

Hello, hello! I took a little time off from the (Budget) Birthday Party Planning 101 series for Spring Break, but we're back today with a new post. Let's talk about Choosing a Birthday Party Theme, shall we?

Choosing a theme should be your first order of business. It's the core that you will plan the birthday party around.

sources, clockwise from left: Hi Sugarplum, Hostess with the Mostesst, Greene Acres Hobby Farm, Hi Sugarplum, dimple prints

Celebrating your child:

I encourage you to use this as an opportunity to celebrate your child's interests. I've seen a few party themes here and there that just don't seem to fit what most kiddos enjoy. For example, a Chanel themed party for a toddler. Unless your three year old is extremely brand conscious and will throw a fit if you can't hand out Dolce and Gabbana bags as party favors, perhaps try for something a bit more age appropriate like Cookie Monster, the circus, Princess, etc. There are some great websites out there that list party theme ideas by age and sex! (See the bottom of this post for resources)

On the other hand, sometimes it's not mom and dad coming up with off-the-wall themes to impress others. If your seven year old wants an Olympic high-diving party, maybe steer him towards something fun at the local pool...maybe a pirate theme? Remember, you're the parent! Just because Joey wants you to rent out a state park and go bear hunting doesn't mean you have to go that route. Redirect! Maybe Joey could be happy with a camping themed party and a fun bear or fishing game in your backyard?

*Use the first year or two to have fun with your themes and do whatever you want...because they will have an opinion later on!

Time of the Year:

Think about holidays or the season that is close to your child's celebration date. You don't have to necessarily decorate for a holiday, but you can use the colors that are prominent in that holiday and incorporate them into your party.

OR, you can go the opposite route, which is what I tend to do. My girls have birthdays in December and January. I know there is absolutely NO way I can decorate for Christmas, undecorate, decorate for a party, undecorate from the party, and redecorate for Christmas without going completely bonkers. All that hauling back and forth from the attic makes for a really cranky mommy who just wants to keep her kids happy and enjoy the holiday season at the same time.

I do decorate my home for Christmas, but I also carve out little "party areas" (the kitchen, play area, etc) that are dedicated to celebration. I don't have to continually switch out decor, and the birthday girl still feels special!

In the kitchen:

In the dining room (coloring center):

In the play area (DIY Barbie Fashion Show Puppet Theatre):

Inspiration:

Look online at websites, blogs, and yes, even Pinterest to find fun new ideas. The library can also be a great resource with party planning books, or grab a couple issues of the latest magazines at Target. Parenting magazines usually have great party layouts, but you can always tailor ideas from home magazines to fit children's parties too. So many of the items sold online and advertised in magazines can be recreated for a fraction of the cost!

Resources:
Cozi
Spoonful
Parents
Birthday Party Ideas
Martha Stewart
Birthday Express
Celebrations at Home
Best Party Ever
Express Birthday Planning

What are some of your favorite birthday party themes?

*You can read from the beginning of the series here!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments!

Birthday Parties: Who are We Impressing?

Last week, I announced the start of a new series here at Serenity Now, Birthday Parties 101. The series is a how-to on birthday party planning...from start to finish. (You can read more about it here.) We're going to look at ways you can plan a memorable party for your child, without spending a ton of money. But before we get into all the fun and creative stuff, I think it's important to look at our motivations behind why we plan celebrations for our kids. Let's encourage each other this week, shall we? Birthday parties should be fun, not stress or guilt-inducing!

I'll be the first to admit that it can be very very easy to get swept away with party planning. I have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to entertaining and party ideas. Part of my job for the BOTB series at Centsational Girl is to browse other blogs and websites and find inspiring ideas to share with others. I'm constantly seeing beautiful projects that I would love to replicate. I've found myself eyeing supplies and goodies in stores and thinking, "Oh wouldn't it be just too cool to try this for the party?" and before I know it, I've spent more than I intended.

                                                                              

For a creative person, it's invigorating to see all of the fabulous ideas out there on the 'net. At first. After the 47th party idea you've bookmarked, it can sometimes begin to be a little overwhelming. You begin to wonder if the cupcake tower you planned will be cute enough and will Johnny be crushed because you didn't hire that elephant to give rides at your circus party? It becomes more of an issue of measuring up than creating a fun environment for the kids.

And that's where we have to pause and examine our motivations. 

Who am I throwing the birthday party for? 

Is it for my child?

Is it for the other moms?

Is it for my blog?

Birthday parties are an opportunity to celebrate the wonderful gift of life. A day to make my child feel special. Ultimately, it's up to me to decide whether she needs a mini roller coaster in the backyard to see how much I love her. 

Am I having the mini backyard roller coaster built because I know it will impress the other moms, look better than what I did last year, and guarantee me some high traffic blog days? Or am I having the mini backyard roller coaster built because I know it will blow her mind and I can do it without going into debt or stretching our budget too far?

It's so important for readers (both bloggers and non-bloggers) to remember that many of those gorgeous Pinterest images you see are styled and photographed specifically for a blog post or website. Sometimes a blogger is paid to use specific products, or they receive them from a company hoping for a shout-out. Often, we only see a small part of the picture. You may see a super-cute project in front of a lovely backdrop...but you don't see the mess on the other side of the room. 

Case in point, my kitchen sideboard:

Yet it clearly doesn't look like that here:

My point is, we don't always see the full reality online! Don't beat yourself up if you don't have the extra cash to recreate a stylish party set-up you've seen, whether it was on a blog, a party site, or Pinned on Pinterest. If you truly love the idea you spotted, but it doesn't fit your budget as-is, then think of ways you can change it up to fit your needs!

I try to ask myself whether or not I like the idea because I think it will impress the other moms or blog readers, or if it will really add to the enjoyment of the day for my child. That litmus test usually tells me whether or not I'm going overboard.

                                                                                          Source: Amanda on Pinterest

source

There's nothing wrong with planning a big party for your child if you can afford to, just like there's nothing wrong with doing a quiet dinner at home with family. It really all comes down to our inner-motivations. Do we hope to outdo ourselves and wow everyone, or do we want to celebrate our children and offer a fun time for guests? Birthday parties should be a time to cherish, not to stress and feel guilt over!

Do you struggle with feeling like you have to measure up come party time? How do you combat those feelings?

I'm still working out some details for the series...a fab blog friend made some great suggestions last week...I may expand it to include some features, a few guest posts, and an end-of-series link party. Hope you'll stop back by to stay updated!

If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments. 

New Series: Birthday Party Planning 101 (on a Budget)

My good friend Mandy and I recently spoke at a local MOPS meeting with ideas for planning kids' birthday parties on a budget, and I thought it actually might make a really fun blog series! With the popularity of blogs and Pinterest, it's easy to find inspiration online. Combining those creative ideas with a budget can be tricky. In this tough economy, many of us find ourselves wanting to host special events, but lacking the resources to recreate some of the detailed themes we see online. I want to show you how to host a memorable birthday party without breaking the bank!

I also want to chat some about the pressure many parents can feel to "perform" when those birthdays roll around, and we'll start with that topic next week. This series will be full of creative ideas and tips...I hope you will use it as a resource for your own get-togethers! We'll be discussing venues, invitations, decorations, activities, favors, and more.

I'm not, nor do I claim to be a party-planning expert. I'm just a mom who enjoys putting together fun parties for her kids. I know what it feels like to see those beautifully styled events online and worry that you just don't measure up. We don't have a lot of extra money to spend on gatherings, so I plan ahead and get creative when it comes to decorations, food, and favors. I hope you'll join me for this series!

*This post would be a great one to Pin or bookmark for future use, as it will include a link to each of the series posts as they go live.

What do you struggle with when it comes to planning and hosting birthday parties?

Post 1: Who are We Impressing? 
Post 2: Choosing a Party Theme
Post 3: Where to Host?


If you enjoyed this post or found it helpful, I hope you'll click your "Pin It" button to add this post to Pinterest, or a +1 for Google+. And I always appreciate kind comments!