Call Me Cutesy

But you really already know that I'm not.

Except if it's related to that calling called Primary chorister and it's a desperate attempt to keep children engaged.

Or if we're coming up with clever poems on long road trips.

Ok, well sometimes I'm cutesy. 

So, I guess I shouldn't judge those moms who kinda seem like super moms. You know the kind, right? Their kids have tidy hair, shirts that match their shorts (shoes on their feet even!), and they throw themed birthday parties. I wonder what kind of time it takes to do what they do. And what they're skipping that I'm already doing to fit it all in. Is it sleep? Do they sleep less? In the end, that's how I rolled a bunch of ice cream cones in melted Wilton candy something to decorate "clown hats" for the party - I slept less. One time good deal. But I digress...

The thing is, in our home, we only officially throw birthday parties for the kids every 2 years. On the in between year they get to invite a friend for dinner. So this year, the big party was on. And Liza wanted a "clown" party. She started making guest lists and writing personal invitations during a snow day in December (for her February birthday). Before I knew it, we were all caught up in her excitement, and I was throwing a themed birthday party.

Pin the nose on the clown  - made during another snow day while we sat around

Clown cupcakes- ice cream cone for the hat, licorice rope for the hair, chocolate chip eyes and a skittle nose

Face painting for all of the kids when they arrived

And of course - circus treats

Such a hit...

I covered the buffet table with polka dot wrapping paper, and had the treats all set up for them to eat throughout the party. I filled a vase full of red vines, and it was the favorite treat (and the one thing that nobody was allergic to - hurrah!). Hence, the picture of the empty bag.

One friend kind of teased me for the "big plans" she'd heard about for the party (i.e. musical chairs, pin the tail, etc.). I felt more than redeemed when her daughter declared this birthday party her "favorite party ever!" Take that Monkey Bizness.

Anyway, the last little tip that I thought I'd share, in the event that you find yourself throwing a clown party, is the game my mother invented. The clown shoe race. Have the children put on my flats (any shoes of mine will do since my feet are so big. In your home, it might have to be dad's shoes), and have them race across the room, trying to keep their shoes on. Pretty funny stuff.

On her invites, Liza asked the girls to come dressed as clowns. Hence, the funky, mismatched attire

So, throw in a pinata, bags to collect all of their treasures, and you have a hit party.

Liza was thrilled. And it turned out to be fun to do, though it still made me glad that we aren't doing it all the time.