CPN~So Cal Meet-up and Fiesta





On August 13, 2011, the fabulous Natalie of Little Shindigs and The Knock-Knock Factory and creative Claudia of TiniPosh, hosted Children's Party Network's 1st (hopefully annual) So Cal Meet-up and Fiesta in Pasadena, California.  It was a great time meeting and networking with other event planners, cookie and pastry designers, dessert table gurus, custom printable designers and so many others.  I absolutely loved meeting the creative genuius of Catch My Party, Jillian Tohber Leslie.  We had a wonderful conversation and I loved her energy for everything party!

Jillian Tohber Leslie of Catch My Party

Fun goodies, giveaways and treats all donated by wonderful vendors!

My right hand girl this summer...my little sis, Alison! 

Thank you for all your help with all my events this summer!

  

It was such a fun night of delicious food, lots of laughs, and elite company with the likes of Bonnie of Shoomie Occasions, Deanna of Pink Laundry Events, Frances of Bella Ariana, Jeanette of J. at Your Service, Miranda of Whimsical Printables, Lynlee of Lynlee's Petite Cakes, and Heather of Heather Equitz Designs, as well as so many more!  I can't wait for our next CPN Meet-Up!

Happy 60th Birthday Grandpa!

While planning my dad's surprise 60th birthday, my boys wanted to know if they got to go to Grandpa's party too.  Ummm...NO!  Five grandsons (ages 8, 4, 4, 2, and 1) running around casino tables and expensive antique and modern cars....yeah right!  They were totally bummed and wanted to know if they got to celebrate Grandpa's birthday.  Well what the heck, might as well add another party to the weekend and we celebrated with a barbeque at Grandpa Cliff's house the day after the surprise party (pictures to come soon!). 

My sister and I sat down with the boys and they had to come up with the menu and desserts.  They also hand-made a special critter to make our BBQ a little more authentic.

Hot dogs were the kids choice and we added hamburgers for Grandpa and the dads.

 All 5 kids agreed that Grandpa would really want watermelon...I don't even think he got one bite!

My oldest, Ray, asked, "What's that white dip that Grandpa really likes with chips?"  Good choice!  French Onion Dip IS my dad's favorite.

Knowing I would have candy left over from the Dessert Table the night before, I steered the kids in that direction.  Then of course my youngest, Clarke, who doesn't like candy says, "I think Grandpa really wants pretzels."  (See Clarke's Cars Celebration!)

Home made brownies and chocolate chip cookies were a must!  Our family has had this chocolate chip cookie recipe since the 1930's and it's THE best!  I made the brownies into bite-sized pops and covered half of them with chocolate.  Yummy!

Super cute printables by Pink Pickle Studios (completely overlooked by the boys...but not my mom!) Thanks for noticing mom!

I added pictures of the boys with my dad to the backdrop.  My dad loved this!

AHHH!  Ants!  Too cute to be real!

Grandpa Cliff and his boys!

All the boys, including Grandpa Cliff, had a great day full of laughs, food and swimming.  The kids were so proud of "their" party and super excited to celebrate Grandpa's 60th Birthday.

Printables by Pink Pickle Studios

Red and White Checked paper by Sarah O Chic

Cupcake/Dessert Tower by Ceramic Services

Ants made of Model Magic