the party

today was the day. BP day. the birthday party.

we're a family of at-home birthday-partiers. always have been. it just works for us. maybe it's because d. and i used to be summer camp counselors? anyway, we party at home.

there was the "7 continents" birthday party when b. turned five and there were seven activity stations and each child got a passport to have stamped as they completed each activity. there was the "cupcake" party when l. turned four and her friends came over to bake cupcakes and frost them and take the extras home in chinese take-out containers. there was b.'s "ancient egypt" party this past september with an ancient map and lots of clues and a search for buried treasure.

this time, though, we almost went to a play place. for the first time, we invited the whole class. plus our family friends. 17 kids. that's more than twice the number we've ever had at any other birthday party for either child. (we did agree, as a family, when we decided to invite the whole class, that the invitation would say, "no gifts please." we talked a lot about how many gifts she would be getting anyway - from family and close friends - and how any more than this would be too many to appreciate and enjoy. and there has not been one moment of regret from any one of us. another reason i'm so proud of my girl.)

i was nervous about the size of the group, to say the least. especially once we decided to stay at home, paint flower pots, and plant flowers. seventeen kids, in the basement, with acrylic paint, lots of brushes, a big tub of dirt, and a whole lot of primroses. yeah.

but the party was perfect. absolutely perfect. the kids painted, happily, for far longer than i could have imagined. the pots they created were incredible and all so different and of course i have no photo because i was running around changing dirty water and refilling little palettes. there were the pots that were covered with color, and the pots that were covered with dots, and there was the one pot covered with smile-y faces, too. all so different and clever and cute.

the chocolate cupcakes were a big hit, as always (it's my no-fail recipe - so good that they deserve two photos in this post). the frosting, a luscious buttercream tinted pink with these all-natural food colors. (turns out that their hot pink sanding sugar has food coloring in it. oops. but the food colors are all natural.)

d. read stories while the children were waiting in between painting and cake and planting, and he led a rousing game of "simon says." the children didn't want to leave. i kid you not.

the birthday girl was in her element. beaming (again) through the whole party. she was thrilled to have everyone to her house, the project was one that she loves, she was in heaven. i wish i had had my video camera in the final moments of the party, as she stood on the basement steps and said to all of her friends, "thank you for coming to my party. and don't forget to water your flowers when you get home."

sigh.

Comments

[Kimberly]

Such a lovely home party it was! Happy Birthday, again, to our dear friend...now FIVE...we can hardly believe it.

The cupcakes were at least twice as good as you claim. Thank you again for inviting us to celebrate with you. Now, let's set a date for that tea party. SOON!

[Alicia A.]

you guys are just the sweetest little family ever.

we did the 'no gifts' thing too. he invited 10 kids and I couldn't even imagine what to do with all of the toys they'd bring.

and your cupcakes with natural food coloring- they're beautiful! I'm so glad she had a great party. Now let's relax.

[Stefani]

Aw! All so very sweet. Good job Mama! Now put those feet up and peel yourself a cupcake :-)

[Megan]

Awesome party. Just awesome.

[Rose]

Just found your blog via iguana banana's list. Really enjoyed reading it. Congrats on having the birthday party at home and helping your son make a gift. Those are the kinds of things your children will remember fondly. My girls are 18 and 23 and you seem to do and encourage the things that I tried to do with my daughters and trust me, those memories are cherished. Treat yourself well today!

[Tracy]

Oh wow, I'm so impressed. It looks and sounds like it was a big hit, very successful. That's awesome. Those cupcakes look divine too, and naturally beautiful. Happy Birthday to the birthday girl!

[sabrina hirsch]

Holy Cuteness!What an amazing party. Love the project too, and nice work with all those guests! A big Happy Birthday to her from Seattle!

[Grace]

That is soooooo sweet. We're at-home birthday partiers, too. We know another family that does at-home birthdays, but always with a big theme. We don't do themes, but just very simple games, activities, etc. The kids had a wonderful time at Elle's last one, planting grass seed, modeling with wax, all very simple, finishing up with a very special puppet show by me. Anyway, the kids didn't want to leave, either. Partly, I think, because they weren't used to simple at-home parties. "The Birthday Book" by Ann Druitt et al was a good resource (for anyone who was never a camp counselor, lol).

Anyway, cheers for simple birthday parties!!!

[Visty]

We adore home birthday parties, too, both giving and attending. One year we did the boy's day at a bowling alley, but other than that, the kids enjoy watching their home transformed into a party. Happy birthday to your girl!!

[cloth.paper.string]

wow, emily. this is so very inspiring. on so many levels. i especially love l's message, and that each of the little ones got to bring home a living reminder of her special day.

[ani]

how funny, i was thinking of a garden themed party for kidlet but she has already changed it to 'rocket ship'. love flower pot painting idea.

[Dallas]

What a wonderful party idea. It sounds like the party was a hit.

[prairie daze]

how glorious.