Clarke's Cars Celebration!

My baby had his first "Big Boy" celebration for his 4th Birthday. Clarke has loved the movie CARS I think since the day he was born.  He loves how loud it is, how colorful everything is, the music, and the fact that it's Cars...a boys best friend!  He has known that he wanted a Lightning McQueen party since February (mind you his birthday is the end of June) and since he is my party shopping helper, every time we are out he would find something else that would be "SO COOL" for his party.  Take a look at what Clarke and I came up with! 

Invitations by Sarah O Chic

Big Brother had a dessert bar, so he wanted one too.  However, Clarke doesn't like candy or sweets all that much so I had to improvise.  He fell in love with this Lightning McQueen fabric that we found at WalMart so I decided to incorporate it here.

Another incredible cake designed by Cucamonga Cakery!  Chocolate with Strawberries was what the birthday boy ordered.

Can't watch a race (or movie) without your popcorn!  I made the cones with scrapbook paper and I bought the adorable circles and labels from Sarah O Chic.

Fruit Snacks, or Gummies as we refer to them in our household, are Clarke's all time favorite thing!  I couldn't pass up the huge box of CARS fruit snacks at Costco.  This jar was empty by the time the party was over (and not just because of Clarke).

I'm a total sucker for sticking with the theme.  I happen to be in WalMart on the day of my oldest son's birthday party back in May, and I walked by a HUGE jar of CARS pretzel snacks.  I swooped these pups up so fast and glad I did because I haven't seen them since!

My dad, Grandpa Cliff, has called Clarke "Clarke Bar" since the day he was born. Clarke and I were in Cost Plus and he saw his name on these and he says, "Well, that's almost my name."  Gotta love it!

I made these labels from a pack I picked up at Michael's.

At least my son has impeccable timing because with the opening of CARS 2 over the weekend, I was able to find CARS everything.  These are Juicy Juice boxes I found at the grocery store and for dinner the kids also had CARS Gogurt (you know that squeezable yogurt in a tube that kids love and grosses parents out...yeah, that stuff). 

There is my boy playing "Red light, Green light" with a "Pit Crew Pass" designed by Sarah O Chic.

The last 3 left for "Hot Tow-Mater".

The big kids demonstrating "Luigi's Tire Roll"

Trophies for all and Ribbons for the 4 and under and 5 and older "Race to the Finish Line" Bike/Scooter/Tricycle Race!  I made the labels with address label stickers.

The happy participants!

Clarke's Speedway Souvenir Stand.  I made the banner with Checkered Flag Pennants I bought at Oriental Trading and scrapbook stickers.  I found the recyclable lunch sacks at Dollar Dollar and inside were CARS eraser, pencil, Silly Bandz, crayons, and Passport book.  The "Thank You" printable was purchased through Sarah O Chic.

Let's pretend the backdrop looks straight, not crinkled and destroyed  (because it was leaned against and fell 5 seconds before the picture was taken) and we'll look at the sweet little faces ready for some cake!

How cool is this sign!!!  Sarah added this as a bonus to my package and I sent it to Costco Photo to be enlarged.  It turned out so amazing!  Thank you so much Sarah!!!

Planning this party was so much fun and so easy because of how popular the movie is.  Most of the items for the party I bought on clearance or at the various "Dollar" stores around town.  The total of the favor bag was less than $3 and the kids got to take home a recyclable/reusable bag!  All the kids had so much fun, even the girls!  It was one of the girls that said, "This was the best party I've ever been to!"  So sweet! 

Happy 4th Birthday to my little "Clarke Bar"!

Pink Ballerina Birthday Party!

I LOVE pink and this party is so adorable I can hardly stand it!!!  It's every little girls dream to be a ballerina and with a party design by Ellen of Whimsical Mod Parties, these little girls had their wishes come true!  

This dessert table is truly indulgent!  Where do I even begin?  I love all the different shades of pink incorporated in the decor, food, ribbon, and tulle.  Is the tulle skirt on the bottom of the cupcake stand not the most precious thing you've seen?

Look at those smiles!  What cutie pies!

This is a favor bag you'll definitely want to keep!

And now featuring the darling ballerinas!

These pictures take me back to when I was a little girl and all the times I would dress up in my tutu from my dance recitals.  Thank you Whimsical Mod Parties for letting me feature your Pink Ballerina Birthday Party!  I absolutely love this party!!!  Truly inspirational!

To view more information and photos from this party please visit Whimsical Mod Parties blog and like them on Facebook.

This party is also featured on Pizzazzerie!

Thomas' Superhero Soiree

Having two boys, I'm always looking for unique boy party ideas and this one tops the cake.  Meredith posted this amazing 4 year old birthday on Catch My Party.  I love the colors, the theme, the details, the...well everything!  Take a peek!

What's a Superhero without a mask???  I love the striped background too!

Superhero bags and Capes!

The dessert table looks like it's straight out of a comic book!  Adorable!

Super clever idea!

Holy Cupcakes Friends!

I thought the Superhero Kids on top of this cake were too cute!

Superhero favors under the city skyline.  What an effective yet inexpensive way to showcase this table! 

How adorable is the birthday boy in his cape, mask and shirt!!!

Incredible job Meredith!  You did an amazing job with this party!  I have truly been inspired by your work!

You can view more pictures and information about this party at Catch My Party or on Meredith's blog.

It's Super Mario Time!

My son Ray came to me and said, "Mom, I'd like a Super Mario Birthday Party. Would you help me plan it?" How could I say no to one of my favorite clients. He definitely had design elements and games in mind as well as food and cake choices that he wanted. I had so much fun researching online with him for pictures, cake ideas, and Super Mario party supplies and creating the party he envisioned. I have quite the apprentice in the making!


I made these Mario and Luigi cutouts this past Halloween for a Trunk or Treat.  So glad I kept them!



Is this not the cutest cake?!?  I love Cucamonga Cakery so much!



I have to thank Brittany with GreyGrey Designs for this wonderful backdrop and dessert table idea.  I emailed her a few months back to let her know how much I loved her work and asked if I could use creative plagerism with some of her ideas.  Thank you Brittany!  Ray and his friends thank you too!



This was another idea from Brittany with GreyGrey Designs.  So cute!



Ray named these Goomba Cake Pops because they looked like the mushrooms Mario stomps on.  I made them with chocolate cake and chocolate frosting and they were so delicious!





 

Homemade "Star Power" Cookies.  Still learning the art of frosting a cookie...



Another yummy idea from GreyGrey Designs.  My son loved how these looked like Toad in the Super Mario Brothers game.  Every single one of these marshmallows were eaten by the kids (and adults too!).

 



The kids played 6 games and earned coins for the "One Up Store".





I bought white plastic eggs from Oriental Trading Company and painted green dots to look like Yoshi's eggs.  Each egg was filled with a different amount of coins.  Some of the other games played were Goomba Stomp (brown balloons with the Goombas face on them filled with coins), Bomb Omb throw (Black water balloon toss), and Mario vs. Bowser Obstacle course.  The kids had such a great time and were really into the games!  They kept asking if there were more games that they could play!



This was such a blast to put together.  Most of the prizes I bought at the Dollar Tree, Oriental Trading Company, or Big Lots.  The boys were so much fun to watch count their coins and calculate what they wanted to "buy".



 

I had originally bought these boxes for favors on Birthday Express, however, the boys used the boxes to collect their coins and keep them "safe".  I made the fun little tags for the boxes...but I don't think the boys noticed. 



The kids had such a good time that when their parents came to pick them up, one of the boys said, "No offense Mom, but this party is way too fun to leave.  I think I'll just stay here." 

I absolutely loved planning this party and it made it more special to do so with my now 8 year old.  Happy Birthday Ray!