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Archive through July 07, 2009

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: September 2010 ~ December 2010: Party Planning Advice: Archive through July 07, 2009 users admin

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Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 12:19 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
We can probably use a thread for party planning advice and tips. LOL, I know I need it!

April 24-27, Caleb and Darren are going camping with some buddies. I told Dakota since she wasn't invited (it's strictly a guys weekend, Darren, a couple buddies, and their boys) that we would make sure to do some fun things. Especially since me and Kota are getting stuck with a typical dad activity with little league, field clean up duty. I'm going to take her to a movie and dinner (dollar theater and probably McDonalds, lol) on Friday and we're going to do some fun bead shopping.

I asked her what else she wanted to do and she decided on a slumber/tea party. It'll be her, my oldest and middle nieces, and Kota's bff. My nieces know Kota's bff, have fun together, and play well with each other. The girls are 11, 10, 9, and 5. My older niece and Dakota's bff know about our plans, middle niece doesn't because they want to surprise her. I'd done a tea party for Kota, the bff, and oldest niece several years ago and they had a blast and they're excited about sharing it with the little one.

We want to have fun with it, so we're giving the three girls invitations. But, I don't really want to do plain party invitations...I'd like to do something that ties into the tea/slumber party and I'm coming up blank. Any ideas?

I think the older girls are past the age of the cutesy little toy tea sets but am thinking I can find something a bit more grown up, maybe their own coffee cups, a tea pot, and little plates (I'm going to check the 99 cent store for those.)

Decorations will be very simple, spring time table cloth, some flowers (last one I had three tulips, one for each girl,) and maybe a couple balloons...nothing at all extravagent.

Food will also be pretty simple, a deli sandwich cut up, fruit and raw veggies, some cookies and of course tea, water, and juice (no sodas if I'm keep four girls overnight, lol.)

But, where I'm running into problems is activities for them. One we're doing is making beaded jewelry, the older girls asked for it and are pretty excited about it and little niece has some beads she picked out last time she spent the night that she wants to use. Other than that and the tea party part, I'm coming up blank. The big problem is the age difference between the little one and the three older girls, things are either too young for them or too old for her. Any fun slumber party ideas that all four of them can enjoy together?

My little niece will probably be asleep by 9, she never stays up later than that even with other kids around still playing, so I can plan some fun things with the older girls after that.

Any other ideas? I really worry little niece might end up left out of some things just because she's younger and I want to have plans in place so that doesn't happen.

Er, and when do I inform them our fun tea/slumber party will conclude with picking up trash at the little league park on Sunday morning, lol? All three of the older girls play softball so they know they have to do it, but I don't think it's gonna be the highlight of their party!

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 3:24 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
Might sound crazy, but WRT the Deli Club sandwich make it a part of the game. Ask each kid to bring their favorites (and kind of let you know what they're bringing so you can fill in extras in case it seems kind of sparse). I did it once with our Dart Team, they brought ham, sliced turkey, alfalfa sprouts, cheeses, whatever). Then YOU buy a long 4foot or 2foot long bread roll, depending on number of people. Put all the donations together and then the fun begins, almost like a party game. I did a swipe of mayonnaise on the bread, sprinkled a little bit of Italian Seasonings, at the beginning.

At that point EVERYONE stands there together tossing all the goodies onto the bread, one person saying "I'm doing turkey, another yelling I'm the cheese person, etc." Takes a bit of time, with everyone figuring what goes on top or bottom, they all have fun like a potluck. Took some time with people arguing "No mine goes on top, yours goes on bottom". Sliced that big old sandwich up at the end and everyone had a blast. I heard about that silly sandwich for years.

Also cuts a tad out of the cost of the fixings.

Biscottiii
Member

05-29-2004

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 3:50 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Biscottiii a private message Print Post    
Actually, there was one woman saying she didn't like meat. They said "No problem, hey folks we're slapping extra cheeses at this end of the roll".

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 4:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Why not manicures/pedicures? The little one would love it as much as the big girls. You can pick up cheap polish at the dollar store. Do you have a curling iron? You could curl their hair and do updo's.
Dancing is fun too. You could do freeze tag dancing or just dance for fun.
For the invitation pick up some pillow cases at the dollar store. Attach an invitation to it, and then get glitter, glue, markers and have them decorate it once they get there.

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 5:38 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
For my dd's 16th she wanted a karaoke party. We made a power-point presentation and burned onto CD's instead of a more traditional invitation. Part of the power-point presentation was a request to bring their favorite CD's and printed lyrics (we had proper karaoke cd's but if they wanted something we didn't have....). This was for 16 yr olds so perhaps the parents can print out one or two lyrics for their child, takes less then a minute. Even the 5 yr old probably has a fave song and while one is singing the others have to be back-up dancers. Leading up to this part can be hair and make-up sessions so they look like little stars when they perform.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 12:29 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Oh you guys are awesome!

I have glue and glitter and can get some fabric paints for pillow cases (even have a whole book of looney tunes iron ons they can pick from.)

I'm going cheap on the sandwich...walmart has deli subs (I think 2 or 3 ft?) for $5, but I can ask the girls to bring their favorite fruit or raw veggies.

Kota has a karaeoke game for the wii and that's something I can save for the older girls since little niece doesn't read all that well yet. She also has a dance game that all four of them can play.

LOL, I'm sad to say hair and nails never entered my mind! And yep, the little one would love that as much as the older girls.

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 12:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
Never pass up an opportunity to have a sundae bar! Ice cream...mmm!

Rissa
Member

03-20-2006

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 12:34 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Rissa a private message Print Post    
eww, thats a good idea Huk. Completely messy and probably gross looking by the time they are done but delicious and fun.

Dfennessey
Member

07-25-2004

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 12:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dfennessey a private message Print Post    
or even a movie night. Everyone get in their jammies and grab a space on the floor and watch a good movie. Turn out the lights

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 12:37 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
As long as you check first whether any of the girls have lactose intolerance and/or peanut allergies! I'd also limit the topping choices and maybe say 1 tsp of each (to avoid any late night tummy aches). The can of whipped cream will be the hit!

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, April 15, 2009 - 1:27 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
No ice cream...Dakota's lactose intolerant. No food allergies other than that for them.

I just picked up Escape to Witch Mountain and Escape from Witch Mountain and thought we might watch those at some point. I know none of the girls have seen them yet and I'm excited to watch them with them before we go to see the new Witch Mountain movie.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - 11:47 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Knew this thread would come in handy for more than the slumber party!

I recieved an email this morning from Caleb's music teacher (as did other parents whose email addy's he has.) There's a good chance that next year they won't have a music program and this teacher won't be at the school.

He wants to plan a special event, most likely a banquet, for the kids and families for the end of the school year and is looking for ideas from parents. Pot luck vs catered, theme, etc.

Any ideas?

I did have one thought, but I'll have to find out just how many kids he has. I made Caleb a necklace recently, very simple, just a silk cord and simple clasp, and then took one of his guitar picks and drilled a hole in it, hung it from a jump ring and attached to the cord. They're fairly cheap to make, but if he's got 100+ kids, that would be out of my price range.

The music program doesn't really have a lot of money, so I have a feeling whatever is decided will come out of the teacher and parents pocket.

I thought the idea of doing something for them was a pretty cool one. The kids have worked hard, by the end of the year they'll have put on at least 3 concerts, and they've raised most of the money the classes have needed (for things like music books, music stands, etc.) They deserve some special treat.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - 11:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
I think pot luck would be good or have everyone bring something along a food theme line like a taco bar.
necklace sounds cool.

Dfennessey
Member

07-25-2004

Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - 12:04 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dfennessey a private message Print Post    
and maybe have his students play a song or 2 for the teacher

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 12:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
It's to be a pot luck er, one night this week (dang I forgot which night, lol!) The teacher actually came up with a pretty good way, I thought, of making sure everyone didn't end up bringing chips or pasta salad and no one bringing main dishes or vice versa. He assigned dishes by last name initials, so anyone with a last name starting with an A-D or whatever it is brings a main dish, etc. We're supposed to bring an appitizer or side dish. Cuz of school district rules, everything has to be store bought and still pre-wrapped. Thinking main dishes will be delivery pizza or cold chicken, lol!

There are a couple kids who will be playing but it's to make up grades. He graded them for their school concert and the performing arts center concert and he had a few kids who were sick for one or both. As luck would have it, day before the school concert one kid came down with chicken pox, he missed both, but then a couple other kids came down with it and missed the second concert, so they'll get to play at the dinner to make up grades.

I did decide on not doing the necklaces after talking to the teacher. Too many kids in the music program and it was going to be too expensive.

I think the kids are really going to enjoy it. They had some good news last week that the music program wasn't being completely cut out of school (teachers going from teaching six classes at our school to three at ours and three at another next year...not the best news but not as bad as everyone thought either) and they've put on some really great concerts and worked hard so there's lots to celebrate.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Monday, July 06, 2009 - 9:20 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
What do ya'll think about this?

Kota's birthday is Sept 14 and I've been pondering her party. Yesterday I took the kids to the batting cages and they had a flyer about the different specials, including renting a cage for an hour for $30 or two hours for $50. I asked her about it and she said it sounded like fun.

I'm thinking of renting a cage, taking her, Caleb, oldest two neices, and two of Kota's friends. And then taking the kids either to the ice cream place down the street or going over to the park to play and have cake.

She had said she wanted to go somewhere...the bowling alley, skating rink, pizza place/arcade rather than having the normal birthday party/bbq at home. Batting cages is something the kids enjoy and quite frankly it's much cheaper than any of the other things she mentioned.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Monday, July 06, 2009 - 2:36 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
That sounds like a great deal and a fun time for the kids!

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, July 06, 2009 - 2:41 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Sounds good if you keep it to a small number of kids. Otherwise it's a whole lot of waiting in between turns.

Or you could do what we did and it was A BLAST!!! Though we have an advantage b having a baseball field across the street. We had a huge baseball game and invited tons of kids and parents in the neighborhood. It was really fun and a good match up. Then whoever wanted to come to the house after had pizza & cake.

Scooterrific
Member

07-08-2005

Monday, July 06, 2009 - 2:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Scooterrific a private message Print Post    
From my experience, I'm just wondering how long they can bat for without getting exhausted? I know with our cages, Raelynne is dripping sweat after a few rounds of balls.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Monday, July 06, 2009 - 2:46 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Yeah, I wonder about that too. Cages are almost like a treadmill in the sense that it is quite a workout... I guess it depends on the kids if they think cages are "fun" or are "work/practice."

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Monday, July 06, 2009 - 6:57 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
That's why the one hour or two is a good option. The kids can usually do four tokens worth before they start to get tired and if I take Caleb, Kota, and my two older nieces that's about 30-40 minutes of time, taking turns. Adding two more girls, I could probably get away with one hour.

Darren reminded me there's a place in Palmdale (mini golf, arcade) that also has batting cages so I'm going to check into that too. They do birthday parties as well and that might be the better option. I'd still rather keep the guest list small though.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, July 07, 2009 - 12:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Well that was disappointing. The family fun places batting cages are quite a bit more expensive than the one we go to. They have birthday packages that start at $10 a kid (10 kids minimum) but they don't include any type of games, activities, or arcade/batting cage tokens. They also have add-ons (for extra money of course) like so many arcade tokens for each kid, a round of mini golf, or go carts, but no add ons for the batting cages. Minimum, I'd spend $200 for an hour and a half.

For that much, the six kids can go to the batting cages and then we can set up a bbq and party at the park for a slightly larger group. Shoot, I'll have to check tomorrow and see when they're hosting the second softball tournament (think that's in August though.)

Hukdonreality
Member

09-29-2003

Tuesday, July 07, 2009 - 5:21 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Hukdonreality a private message Print Post    
War, I wonder if by the end of the season, the girls will be sort of tired of softball type stuff anyways? Kota is probably still young enough to enjoy something like a bounce house or waterslide, isn't she? Around here, they are somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 for a 4-6 hour rental (they deliver and set it up, then tear it down for you...easy!). This would be fun for both her and for Caleb and his friends. You could just grill hot dogs and have simple things like potato chips that all kids like.
Another thing to consider: McDonalds will rent out their coolers with their orange drink, and provide the paper cups, too. It's very easy and cheap to provide a lot of drinks to a large group (and you keep the leftovers).

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, July 07, 2009 - 9:03 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Heh, Huk'd, the girls would be happy if softball was a year round event. They (Kota, oldest niece, and her two friends) practice throughout the summer once the season is over and into winter and both Kota and oldest niece are bugging me now cuz I told them I'd check into fall ball once their all-star season is over. No fears of them being tired of it, lol.

Part of my problem with Kota's parties is that with the exception of oldest nephew and baby niece, all of the nieces, nephews, and both Caleb and Kota have birthdays between May and Sept. Add in the adults who have birthdays and we're having 2-3 parties a month. And because they're all in the hotter months, they're all the same...bouncy houses and bbq for the youngest kids and swimming and bbq for the older ones. By the time Kota's comes around (one of the last birthdays in the year) we're looking for something a bit different.

Maybe we'll do a slumber party for her, niece, and her girlfriends (a few of them, I'm not ready to tackle a gaggle of girls, lol) and then something fun the next day.

Luckily we still have 7 weeks to decide and plan something. Oh, the bead store also will do parties, where the owner will teach the group how to make something or other. Again with that though, you can't have food/drinks in the store so we'd have to plan for that elsewhere.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, July 07, 2009 - 11:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Since you have such a big family, you should consider the group baseball game. It really is a blast. And a cheap blast at that, as you can decide for the after activities if you want to keep at just cake or a whole feast... And it could be whiffleball or softball or a combo... We threw baseballs for the little kids and softballs for adults. Just to keep it a bit safer. Cuz the kids are pretty good hitters but no so hot at fielding.