Biting, Bug's Birthday, and Blingo

Several weeks ago I gave in on trying to keep my fingernails away from my teeth, getting tips put on. After a few weeks, I took the tips off, revealing beautiful nails. (Note that every time I have asked nail people to remove tips, they say it can't be done; the nails would be too damaged.) I manicured them, I kept them painted, and they stayed pretty until the other night.

It was the other night that I started planning Bug's third birthday party. Who knew the stress involved in planning a toddler party? I was overwhelmed with the list of things to do, of figuring out what to do with the kids. I'm also stressed at the idea of having this party with kids I don't know and parents I don't know. Bug just moved into the preschool class last month. It's so awkward.

After destroying a few nails and "manicuring dentally" the others to get a more consistent look, I managed to leave them alone... till tonight, when I decided to start writing up the invitations.

::tangent::
Mister mrtl says, "Keep it simple." Yes, I know. We're having the party at an indoor play place, so there's built-in entertainment. Still, I feel pressured. There's got to be more to it than sugaring them up and unleashing them on the playground.

::disclaimer for party time tangent::
The following tangent is provided for entertainment purposes only. It IS NOT a request or an invitation for ideas on what to do differently. I have decided that this is what is going to happen at Bug's party and am not going to continue to obsess over the details.

Of course, if mister mrtl disapproves, he can feel free to plan the damned thing himself. Word.
::end disclaimer for party time tangent::

::party time tangent::
Bug loves the color yellow, bubbles and balloons, so that's the "theme." After struggling with a potential guest list, we decided to extend invitations to Bug's classmates and a few of her friends from her last class.

We're going to serve cupcakes -- probably chocolate, although we tested a banana recipe today that was really good -- and have the kids frost and decorate them themselves.

Games shall include Cupcake Cleanup, Freeze Dance, Bubblewrap Walk, and Balloon Pop.*

We're asking guests that they not get Bug a present, but instead bring a new, wrapped favorite book. Each kid will get one to take home.
::end party time tangent::

It is simple. Still, I keep getting stuck on the execution.
::end tangent::

In an attempt to find help with the wording for the invitations, I turned to Blingo. And what do you know? I won. A movie ticket. Yay me (and ... undercovermutha these days)! (This is actually my second win. Danielle managed to win us tickets a month or so ago. See what I mean about the blogging? I never bothered. So why now? Isn't it obvious? Totally procrastinating writing the invitations.)

----

*Cupcake Cleanup: Must I explain this one? I didn't think so.

Freeze Dance: Play music and have kids dance. Randomly turn off the music and they freeze. Turn it back on and they dance more. To make it competitive, kick them off the dance floor if they don't freeze or unfreeze fast enough. While the losers cry, give the winner a cool prizes.** I'm thinking for music choices to include some Ice Tea ("Cop Killa" has such a catchy tune, the kids could spaz out dancing to it.) and 50 Cent (again, obvious choice).

Bubblewrap Walk: This one was so ghetto simple that I had to add it. Get a roll of bubble wrap and lay it out on the floor. The kids walk over it, trying not to pop any of the wrap. Poppers are losers, and Nonpoppers win cool prizes.

Balloon Pop: The jury's still out on what to do with this one. I think it'd be a hoot and a half to watch two conga lines of toddlers race across the room with balloons between them and see who can pop them all first, but it doesn't sound "sensible" (Bug's current favorite word) to expect that of them. We'll probably end up sneaking prizes inside a bunch of balloons and scattering them about the room. The kids will be turned loose to pop the balloons with their bodies. Everyone's a winner, although some prizes will be cooler than others.

**Cool prizes shall include card games (Old Maid, Crazy 8's, Go Fish, woot woot!), stickers, maybe some temporary tattoos, and whatever else I can find cheap.

Don't worry folks, I won't be quitting my day job to become a hot shot party planner.

Comments

[RzDrms]

happy birthday bug! happy birthday mrs. mrtl!!! thinking of y'all both! :)

[Ern]

Ooh, I love the book exchange idea! Reading is fundamental, and all that. ;)

[undercovermutha]

I may have to steal all of these fantastic party ideas, and the books! Wonderful! Just as soon as I pick out what movie I'm going to go see. (Wasn't that a nice surprise this morning?)

[~Kabe]

Excellent idea with the books! And I like the bubble wrap pop, too...

So nice to see you blogging again!

[blurry]

I think the party sounds great. I love the book idea!

Happy birthday to you and Bug!

[william]

Happy B-day Bug. The games sound fun. Bubble wrap walk is my favorite.

[janasayqua]

bubble wrap is fun in any setting.

Have fun!

[LadyBug]

The party sounds fabulous.

Hope you and yours are doing well, dear.

Love and hugs to you!

[kalki]

I would totally pop the Bubblewrap. On purpose. Love that stuff.

Happy birthday to Bug!!! And hugs to you.

[RzDrms]

bug's b-day is two weeks from today, right? and yours is today? i went back to check, just to make sure. do NOT try to throw us off, young lady!!! i knew i was right! it's YOUR day today! happy huggable-bday to you! :)

[AMY]

Mrtldove, that all sounds fantastic. You chill out and have some fun and remember it is a birthday party for a three year old, eh

[AMY]

And Happy Days after Birthday to YOU my love!!

[Daphne]

happy birthdays!!! love your party planning. REALLY love the ease of having "cool prizes" with three-year-olds. so much better than trying to entertain adults at the office.

[Von Krankipantzen]

Happy Birthday Miss Bug!

[eclectic]

Happy Birthday to you and to Bug! May I shamelessly swipe some of your party ideas for Littlest Eclectic's 4th birthday in December? If I say please really nicely? And promise to be sensible??