Super Hero 4th Birthday

Over a year ago, I assisted my sister on my nephew's 4th birthday. The party was at a local bounce house place but she wanted to do a Super Hero theme. It was just after my gorgeous Western party for my son's 2nd birthday so I knew I had to use Anders Ruff (my go to party printables). In case you missed it: http://www.craftynotartsy.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-lil-buckaroo-turned-two.html 

My sister gets very stressed out when thinking about doing a party like I do so she wanted something small. I convinced her to let me do a dessert table and got her to order super hero capes for all of the kids. It made a big impression but was simple and easy to execute.

 Capes from: http://www.etsy.com/shop/CupcakeCutieKids

I found these adorable small initial cookies online from Sunshine Bakes, you can order them here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SunshineBakes

 The printables package is adorable and the colors matched the party room perfectly. The cupcake toppers were from Two Sugar Babies, which you can find here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TwoSugarBabies

I made the small cake pops and these were a big hit for the kids. They were the perfect size for 3-4 year olds.

We also made plan cupcakes with the cute cupcake toppers. The polka dot boxes and red suitcase were used at the western party and were purchased from Paper Source. 

Overall the party was a total success and the set-up and take down were simple and quick. My sister loved it all as did the guests. She even got into the spirit for his 5th birthday and did the bowling patry all by herself and it was amazing. Future post to come.

Obsessed: Succulent Garden in Cement Planters

Welcome to a new weekly feature called "Obsessed." Each week I will share my current obsession. This is not a craft that I want to try as I will blog after I try it but rather something that I covet and most likely will never actually own.

This week's obsession are cement planters with succulent gardens (check it out here: http://www.craftynotartsy.blogspot.com/2013/05/mason-jar-succulent-gardens.html). I first started my blog with a DIY succulent garden. When I saw these cement planters I just about died. Perfect for my front yard. I absolutely hate how the bushes grow crazy and the flowers die. A succulent garden looks great and is super easy to maintain. 

I did a quick online search and could not find any planters like this so if you happen to see any please post me a message.

 

Update: I saw these gorgeous mini planters in a shop window in South Coast Plaza and had to add them to my blog entry. So simple and yet so impactful.

Kids Movie Night

I recently hosted a kid's movie night for a screening of Monsters, Inc. A group of us are going to the El Capitan to see Monster's University and we wanted all of the kids to be prepared.

I have always wanted to host a movie party and when my son gets older I plan to do just that in the backyard for a birthday party. But until then, I can practice on my party planning.

I knew I wanted to do kids trays of popcorn and candy. I had saved take out containers and they have come in pretty handy (see cupcake decoarting party). I bought Monster's U cups and small toys for each child. I filled the cups with popcorn, placed a small amount of candies (10 skittles & 5 chocolate mints) into tiny cups with lids, added a granola bar, graham crackers and a water and we were done.

I told moms to bring the kids favorite pillow and blanket and a snack for the adults.

As the kids enjoyed themselves inside the mommies sat outside and chatted and drank wine.

The kids loved the movie and afterward they enjoyed dinner as a group in the dining room before going outside and playing.

This was a fantatsic party and one that I will definately do again.

Cookies & Milk 2nd Birthday

For my nephew's 2nd birthday, my sister wanted to keep things small and simple (do you see a theme yet?). I, of course, love to throw a party so as usual I convinced her to let me set-up a small (was told I could only use the kitchen table) Cookies & Milk party. The party was in the afternoon and included only the desserts. 

Since I had just hosted my son's cowboy birthday (check it out here: http://www.craftynotartsy.blogspot.com/2013/06/my-lil-buckaroo-turned-two.html) I had a lot of the red and brown decor. I chose an adorable printable package from Anders Ruff, printed, cut, glued and taped my way to an adorable and simple party.

Land of Nod LANDS in California

Do you love Land of Nod like me? The catalog is gorgeous and every time it arrives at my home I am dying to buy so many items. I am still coveting the orange and white striped tent for my son's room.

My only concern about Land of Nod is that I can't see everything before I purchase. I want to touch and feel everything.

Well guess what, you can, if you live in Southern California. Land of Nod just opened a store in South Coast Plaza (Crystal Court). And since I have been obsessed with everything they sell I knew I had to check them out.

I have been following them on instagram and was so excited to hear that they would be having a VIP party. After a little instachat, I scored myself an invite to the VIP party.

Because it was in Orange County, I invited a good friend and was able to combine catching up with her, a fun party and shopping all into one evening.

Thank you Land of Nod for the invite.

And in case you are wondering below are the items I purchased.

For a friend's new baby.

For my master bedroom.

 Toy storage for my son's room.

Another gift for a friend's new baby.

Bought the letter D for our family room.

Despicable Me 2

I don't know about you, but my son LOVES the minions. I am lucky enough to work at the studio that created the minions and we pass by the posters every day. In fact, we pass a similar poster every morning:

And every morning, my son says "bee-do" over and over. It is both endearing and annoying. So for the past year I have been waiting for the premiere so that I could take my son.

On the day of the event I think I was more excited than he was. I woke him up from his nap so we could leave and as we drove to the Gibson Amphitheater he yells "the minion blimp." We had watched the video online hundreds of times and it flew over his school one day so he knew exactly what it was. We were both screaming in excitement.

Once out of the car we saw the crowds of people, the yellow carpet, the minions and stars. He is too young to appreciate standing next to Miranda Cosgrove from iCarly on the carpet but loved petting the minions.

Inside the theater, after getting our promotional gogurt, ring pop and some popcorn we sat down for the 3D screening of DM2. He LOVED the movie and was rather excited about the 3D experience explaining to everyone that would listen why we had to wear the glasses.

After the film, there was a giant party. From cookie decorating, green screen pictures with minions to real minion pictures and minion cupcakes he was high on life...and sugar. We stayed until the very end and he and I both enjoyed spending ime with good friends.

He even scored himself some party decor (pinata) to take home. This by far has been a highlight in our lives and something so special for us both. 

Summer Water Party

I recently hosted our second annual summer water party. This is my most favorite party to host because the kids absolutely LOVE it. This year I was able to combine the party with hosting a House Party. If you do not know House Party, check it out at houseparty.com. The party I was able to combine was the Cheetos/Super Soaker Block Party. It was a perfect tie-in.

My front yard is much larger than my back yard and has no coverage so it is a great place to host a water party. I place a slip n slide, baby pools, water tables and buckets all around the yard. Everywhere you look there is water. I also set-up a bubble station, squirt bottles and the super soaker station. And this year, I added water balloons to the big pool. The water balloons went fast (took 35 min to fill 150 and 15 min for the kids to pop them all).

I also used the tassle garland and a summer banner for the food table. The cheetos made for a great visual as well.

Since the party was so simple, I decided to just post all of the photos and you can see the details and copy as needed. My son (3.5) actually filled every pool/bucket himself which was a huge help in preparing the yard.