Where We Dropping Boys?

Ty's party is getting closer and closer and to make the parents more comfortable with the specific details of the WHERE, WHAT, WHEN, I created a party itinerary for them. I am pretty excited about it.  Don't be too impressed by my FortNite knowledge.  I had to research FortNite to learn all of the correct terms and verbiage.  LOL! I am either going to be the coolest parent in the world or the cheesiest parent in the world.  I accept either or... Haha.  If Ty chooses cheesy, then I know really, deep down inside, he thinks I am the coolest mom E-V-E-R.  LOL!  

I know this party theme is going to be CRAZY POPULAR, just a fast as I can SNEEZE, so I created a semi-blank, party itinerary for ALL to use for their own FORTNITE party!

Click here to print and fill in the blanks.  Be sure to give me a shout out or let me know that you used it.  I enjoy seeing my creativity be used by others.

Paintball Party Invitation!

Some 12-year-old is about to turn 13.  We've celebrated him with a Cookie Monster, Fire Truck, all things "GREEN", Pump It Up, Pirate, Dinosaur, All-Sports, Minute-To-Win-It parties.  Then, we slowly started canning parties and chose to just have milestone birthday parties. I believe turning a teenager definitely falls into the realm of a "milestone birthday".  I tread thin ice planning the party because everything that I love... seems cheesy to him.  He's really into FORTNITE. So... we decided to plan a real PAINTBALL gun fight BATTLE.  I used a little FortNite wording to grab the attention of his party guests.  

I know NOTHING about FortNite, but apparently there is a Battle Bus on the game.  Side story: I showed Ty the means of transportation that he and his friends would be taking to Wolf's Ridge Paintball.  I had planned to rent a HUMMER Limo.  Ty immediately put a halt to it.  I was so shocked and oh so bummed.  He thought that was the cheesiest thing E-V-E-R. SO, I will save that special detail for Ms. Diva Liley. Now, we have a legit "Battle Bus".  Stay tune... Haha.  

I've been gearing up, for this party, and doing a little party prep. I have tried to refrain "cheesy" details, but it's SOOOOO hard. I am a party planner at heart.  I don't think a little paintball  bubble gum will embarrass my teen.  What kid doesn't LOVE bubble gum?

Elementary School Graduation Invitations!

Ty is graduating from elementary school in less than one week! It's so hard to believe.  It feels like I was just putting him on the school bus, for the first time, for Kindergarten.  I am excited for him to move on to the middle school, but I also realize that life will move FAST from here on out. Like really fast!!! Lightening speed fast. I have been thinking about graduation gifts for Ty since 5th grade started. I concluded that a graduation party, celebrating his elementary years and his first year of middle school, with his favorite peeps would be better than ANY gift he could possibly receive.  SO... Darren agreed to letting me plan a small, intimate party for him, along with 10 of his closest friends. I always focus on 3 things when planning a party: invitations, cake, and party bags.  I cannot wait to share the graduation invitations with you.

I new I wanted the invitations to be 3-dimentional or include some sort of fun goody/gift. While shopping for Ty's candy cake, I came across these oversized smarties.  I decided, "I've got to have them for the invites!" All kids LOVE candy and incorporating the word SMARTIE into the invite would be perfect!!!

I bought 10 packs!

I got carried away taking pictures of the candy. It photographs so well. What will I do with the smarties? That was my next task.  

I have been following Landee Lu for years and I recalled this smarties pants printable that I got a kick out of, so rather than reinventing the wheel, I accepted her invitation to use it! Get it? Her invitation? LOL! I know, I am just a riot.

Rather than using Landee Lu's sizing, I turned it a full 8.5 x 11 printable and added each invited guest's name and a personal note! Above: Ty had his own special message from "Daddy and Mommy" since he's the one being celebrated.  Below: His friends had a special message from "Ty's Mom".

It read, 

"Congrats Smartie Pants.  We are excited to celebrate this graduation milestone not only with Ty, but also with you! Please plan to meet at Fort Lewis Elementary School’s parking lot at 10:15 a.m.  We will travel to Blacksburg’s Cinebowl & Grille. There, Ty and all of his best buds, including YOU, will bowl, pig out, play unlimited arcade games for 1 hour, and watch a movie on the BIG screen. No money is necessary, but if you feel like you will need extra money for any reason, other than what will be provided, feel free to bring some.  All of the events mentioned above will be paid for by Darren and I.  I am hoping to return you back into your parents care between 4:45 pm – 5:00 pm, in the same spot I picked you up (FLES).  Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns.  Dress comfy!!! Ty’s Mom

Even though the graduation party is for Ty, I was happy to tell the boys how this is really a celebration for ALL of them!

I printed it on card stock paper.  

Next, I applied a thick coat of hot glue to the printable.

I love the way they turned out.

Applied the smarties to the glue!

The smarties were tightly secured onto the printable.  

Then, I rolled the cardstock.  

I wanted each invitation to replicate the look of a diploma.

I sealed the invite with tape.

I purchased green and gold ribbon.  Green and gold are the school colors of the middle school Ty will be attending. 

Using 24" of both ribbons, I tied a bow around the diploma invitation.  

I couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome!

When I handed Ty HIS invitation, he smiled big.  I said, "Do you know what that is?" He said, "A notice?!?!"  LOL! I guess I didn't take into consideration that this age group probably wouldn't know what a diploma is.  OH WELL! #firsttimeforeverything

Darren came home from lunch and was tortured by the photographer ME trying to get a really good photo of the diploma. He pretended to shake someone with one hand and receive the diploma in the other.  LOL!

He cracks me up! OH THE THINGS I MAKE HIM DO for a good photo.  

The diploma didn't contain the party details.  That was provided with an additional invite.  I know! I know! I got Swanky Press to create this cool, typographic invitation for me.  I love the way it turned out.  We used Glenvar Middle School colors!!!

I sealed up the invite and used some masculine, jock type stickers, spelling each guest's name and added a graduation cap to the first letter of their name. I fell in love.  LOL! Does anyone else get this excited about details? 

It's ALL about the embellishments baby!

Didn't they turn out adorable? 

I also had to add a little embellishment to the diploma!  What could it be? I KNOW..duh..."CLASS OF 2016".

I am completely pleased with the ENTIRE outcome and I have already received one text and one phone call from mommies, sharing their son's reactions.  One mommy texted to say, "Just want to let you know that you REALLY made a kid's day today with your cool invitation.  He is so excited!" Reactions like these make my "labor" TOTALLY worth it.  

Now... off to Blacksburg they go!! BUT FIRST, they have to graduate.  Haha!

Come, Sit, & Play For Sadie's 1st Birthday!

I blocked out our phone #, on the invite, since our blog is public! Thanks Lauren for drawing attention to this!

The invitation is out.  With only #7daysandcounting until our fur daughter turns 1, we are ready to celebrate. I really hope several pooches come and play! Sadie loves treats, but playdates, to her, are much better!!!! I created this adorable invitation to share, electronically, with anyone and everyone I know that has dogs. If all else fails, off to the doggie park we will go. I also wrote a little note to help create some anticipation, hehe:

"No paw-ty is fun without fur friends.  This is a fur real celebration.  Calling friendly dogs of all shapes, sizes, and ages.  Arrive with your tails wagging.  Mini hot dogs, unlimited toilet bowl water, and doggie friendly cake will be served.  Please R.S.V.P. so the right # of paw-ty favors are available. Finally, please wipe your paws before entering.  We're going to have a dog-gone good time!!!!"

The pre-party prep work began last week.  I just decided to do ONE thing a day.  It's been fun and there are no late night party creations or stress hives happening around here.  The DOGS don't care know, so the details aren't really necessary. Haha.  

I've already made homemade peanut butter and honey dog bones for Sadie girl, as well as, chicken stuffed/flavored bone shaped ice cubes.  That was #11daysandcounting and #10daysandcounting.

I also purchased Sadie some new BLING to wear throughout the year.  After all, everyone knows that diamonds are a girl's best friend. It's hard to believe we are just not getting around to getting her a name plate.  Don't worry, Sadie is chipped, so if she got lost, eventually, I believe we would have received her back!!! #9daysandcounting.

And finally, party decorations! Just a few.  Nothing major, but we have a party animal dog mat for when her guests arrive, party hats, a party crown, and a sweet sign that reads, "LOVE is a four legged word!"  #8daysandcounting.

Be on the look out for another post on the last few details and of course the post party pictures, IF anyone shows up.  LOL! 

"Take Me Out To The Ball Game" ~ Invitation!

Well, our firstborn baby is officially double digits. Turning a decade old, in my opinion, deserved a really special birthday party! Out of the 9 possible years that Ty could have a birthday party, he has had 8 HUGE parties. As a matter of fact, one of Tyson's party recaps is on youtube and our video has over 107,000 hits.  Click here to check it out.  Last year, we went to Disney World, so we chose not have a party for Ty.  

Living in a small city, such a Roanoke/Salem, poses very limited venues for birthday parties.  I personally prefer NOT to duplicate party locations, so planning a party for Ty was challenging.  We are in the dead center of baseball season, so my brother suggested seeing if the Salem Red Socks would allow Ty to have a party and possibly throw the first pitch.  PERFECT idea! We have never been to a Red Socks game, much less have a party there!!!

I sent an email to the Vice President of the Red Socks and he informed me that they actually have party packages. He put me in touch with the woman in charge of the parties and BAM! the party was booked! Chelsey, the party coordinator, helped me narrow down our party package.  We chose to do the best package possible.  It was called the "MVP" package.  The package included invitations, but they were out of them.  So... in return, Chelsey offered me t-shirts for FREE (which I wanted anyways, but there would have been an additional cost).  She still was able to send me a jpeg for the invitation . The jpeg looked like the below photo.  It was my responsibility to fill in the blanks.  However, that didn't cut it for me.  

Instead, I used one of my favorite programs and added to the invite. 

"Batters Up!"

It's time for some fun!

Come round the bases with Ty

To celebrate his 10th Birthday!

Wear the shirt enclosed

AND arrive hungry!!!

We will be eating a light lunch 

and celebrating with cupcakes.

During the game, we will pig out

on ballpark food.

This party is a SURPRISE.

Please do NOT mention it to Ty.

Arrive PROMPTLY @ 2:45 pm.

Ty will arrive at 3:00 pm.  

I love the way it turned out.  

Of course, the paper invite was NOT enough to get our party guests enthusiastic about coming! This is where the t-shirts came into play!  I am SOOO glad the box office was out of invitations.  That really worked out in my favor!

I rolled up each t-shirt like you see!

I love that the t-shirt had the words #kids, #salemsocks #salemvirginia and #2015 on it!

Ty was born in 2005.  Ty turned 10 in 2015!!!!

To complete this invitation, I needed a way to deliver it!  I did NOT deliver the invitation until school let out, for the weekend, on Friday, May 9th. I wanted this party to remain a surprise and had I passed out the invitations sooner, I KNEW the secret would leak.  Parents and guests were on board.  NO SPILLING THE BEANS!

I delivered the invitation just like this...

Cute, right?!?!?

To attain the look of the baseball bag, I just bought white gift bags from the dollar tree.  Printed out each guests name, using a red socks font, and hand drew baseball laces onto the bag.  I sealed the bag with one red/blue tissue paper and baseball ribbon.

It turned out to be a HOMERUN invitation!

My decision to NOT deliver the invitation until two days before the party paid off!

I cannot wait to share Tyson's reaction to all of his friends yelling "SURPRISE!!!!!"