The Great Big Green Puppet Show Birthday Party Post
January 19th, 2009
You guys! The party was so fun! Would it be cheating if I just sent you over to read Bethany’s post about it? I’ve been trying to punch out some sort of report but I think she covered the most humorous angle, which is that I’m a crazy old bat.
Of course the other obvious angle is Bug herself. She was the birthday girl after all. And most importantly, she inspired all this craziness. I might complain that I can’t get anything done now that I’m a mom but I have to give credit where it is due. She repays me four-fold with inspiration. These are the things she loves best…and now I love them too.
She’s my silly little green-loving munchkin. Do you see her in the photo below? She’d be the crazy kid in the front guffawing her head off. Somebody quick take her food away before she chokes!
I think she had a good time.
Toby jokes that it’s a good thing we don’t have six kids. What kind of parties would I throw then? Probably normal parties with cake. To be honest with you, I’m ready for a normal party next.
After this party was finally happening and my grand vision was realized, I was done. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of the party. I love hanging out with all our friends and family and seeing the birthday girl filled with glee but it’s really the planning part that I manically love. After that is done, I’m happy to just blend into the wall and watch.
Putting on the puppet show was a bit nerve-wracking for me. I might like attention but not so much on the stage. My niece Rapunzel did a really good job. She stole the show. I think I should have just let her do it all on her own. We had so much fun together, writing the script and painting the scenes.
In the end we didn’t use the scenes because they were way too time-consuming to take up and put down. Maybe with a lot of practice we could pull that off but I think a loose, ad-lib style of puppet show is better. I think the kids loved it most when they could interact with the puppets and you just can’t script that.
Actually, one of the highlights and negatives of the party was how much the children interacted with a character that we created. Every time this one bird puppet came out they were supposed yell, “Oh No!! It’s Scary Bird!!” But instead everyone screamed and that scared the youngest kids and made them cry. I don’t think Scary Bird was very scary but the screaming was. Poor things.
I think mostly everyone had a good time.
The kids seemed to really like the craft table. I set them up with crayons and colored pencils, pom poms and felt bits, washable glitter glue and safety scissors. I was going to put out marker pens but after Baby Bug snatched a marker and drew a big green line on her nose, I made the executive decision that maybe three-year-olds don’t need marker pens at birthday parties.
The planned craft was that the children would create puppets out of paper bags. This worked out better than I ever expected. The children needed little instruction. Before I knew it there was a quiet buzz while they all crowded around my coffee table making their creations.
They were way more creative than I ever expected. It just goes to show, all you need to do is give children supplies and let them do the rest. I had accidentally left the container of party blowouts on the table and before I knew it several kids had incorporated those into their puppets. Arms, legs, long tongues. They were ingenious.
I also had planned to make sock puppets. I had delegated button-sewing (for eyes) to CC since it’s not really safe to put needles out for three-year-olds. (I have been a mom for three years now, I’ve learned a few things!) We had some yarn for sewing on the buttons that CC cut up into small lengths. What we didn’t plan on was that the kids would find that yarn and use it for hair!!!
We never did end up doing the sock puppets. There was no need.
Another thing that really worked out better than I expected was the green food bar. I love the way all the little round containers looked like a palette in green. I wish I had put spoons in each one but I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off and forgot that detail.
I’ve learned from past parties that no matter how badly I may want to do everything, I can’t actually do everything myself. People really do want to help and they are always asking me what they can do. In the past, I’ve just stood there stuttering about this or that but this year I made a food diagram with all the many bits listed. If anyone wanted to cut something up or help put something out, they could just consult the diagram instead of asking the crazy woman who was buzzing on some other frequency. It also helped me a lot because I tend to forget about food that I’ve bought. Then I find it after the party and am stuck trying to get rid of two gallons of mint ice cream for the next three months.
Which I did forget by the way. I forgot to put it on the list!!! Anyone want to come over for a mint-chip ice-cream social?
So I’m pretty good at delegating now that I’m old. As you can see, Bethany helped make the punch. She also made the cake which was sooooooooo yummy! I’m glad she made extra because I’m hankering for another piece right now. It was a lemon cake with lemon-zest cream-cheese frosting, all colored green of course. Delicious! I could eat it all day.
There was green beer and green punch and green friends…It was just a great green-filled day.
Then at the end of the party Bug got a RED hat as a present from her Auntie CC. She picked out that color. It was sort of funny when it happened. We were in the yarn store a few weeks back and CC took her off to pick out whatever color she wanted. CC showed her the green of course, but Bug very pointedly chose red. Did she choose red because I have a red hat and she wants to be like me or is she moving on? I don’t know.
Now that we’ve got everyone trained, are we officially done with green now? I kind of doubt it.
January 19th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Wow what a wonderful birthday party. Fancy having your very own puppet show :) I am very impressed with your organisation skills, good idea having an information sheet for people to know what to do next. Are you sure you don’t want to start a career in animation production ?
January 19th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Looks like you had a wonderful time, I absolutely love your green food bar.
January 19th, 2009 at 10:20 am
Whew… I’m all worn out reading about it – can’t imagine how you felt that night! I’d say you outdid yourself my dear!! BTW I LOVE mint chip ice cream, do you deliver? Ü
January 19th, 2009 at 10:25 am
You’re amazing. WOW. Congratulations!
And the pictures on the Happy Birthday post choked me up. All the cliches about how quickly they grow are so so so true.
January 19th, 2009 at 10:34 am
OK, now I will note that the Bug’s favorite color is now RED, hahaha. This is why I call my kiddos fickle pickles. I thought your party was a super huge hit. I had such a great time, as did Emily and Audrey. MMmmmmm, mint chip ice cream :P
January 19th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I LOVE it!!! This is the sort of thing I can’t get enough of. My daughter turns 1 in April and even though she won’t remember birthdays for a few years I can’t wait to throw super fun parties. I’m taking a cue from you and setting aside some money each month so hubby won’t freak out. Happy three years old Bug!!!
January 19th, 2009 at 11:47 am
fabulous … you rock green mama! enjoy alllll that ice cream yourself :)
January 19th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
you are the best. the food looks fabulous. green flags a the puppet theater AND a crafts center? amazing. i have a lot of admiration for you right now.
January 19th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
What a wonderful party! I had to look at all the pictures twice- the cheery green flags are sooo much better than the same old, same old crepe paper. And the green foods!- I couldn’t stop looking in amazement. It’s such a fun photo.
Happy birthday to your dear girl. Age three is one of my favorite years- even more conversation, no diaper bags, more spontaneous fun.
Still can’t get over that adorable puppet theater….
January 19th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
WOW, unbelievably creative and inspiring!!!
January 19th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Your party was so amazing, I mentioned it on my blog: http://unreadiest.blogspot.com/2009/01/mom-blogs-are-cool.html
January 19th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
I love it! The green party looked like it was fantastic!
January 19th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
Amazing party Brenda, as I commented in Bethany’s post, if I could ever afford it I would pay you and fly you out to put on a party here. I love planning parties, but you take it to the next level, something I aspire to do, but never quite make it.
Great job, love the photo of you and Bug and Toby’s green socks, very cute.
January 19th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Somewhere, a smart TV executive is out there searching for the next big thing, and I say SAJ is it! If the Food Network or DIY channel doesn’t give you a show on creative party planning, they’re just throwing money away. You, my dear, are a creative marvel!
January 19th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
This looks amazing!! I LOVE parties and crafting, etc. but your creativity makes me feel about as original as white bread. Maybe I’ll have to fly you out to the East Coast for Cora’s first birthday to assist in the preparations.
Love the green socks :-)
January 19th, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Wow, it looks like an AMAZING party! Great job!
Those charts look great too, I always forget stuff at our parties.
January 19th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
I am so beyond impressed, it’s crazy. You are amazing, wonder-momma, party planner extraordinaire! Looks like such an awesome, fantabulous day for Bug!
January 19th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Looks like it turned out to be a fantastic party! Great job!
January 19th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
I so wish I could have been there, it looks like such fun! And I love everyone in green!
January 19th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Looks like SO MUCH FUN!!! Good job!
January 19th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Such a cute party idea! You had every detail taken care of! Kudos! Baby Bug will remember this for a lifetime.
January 20th, 2009 at 12:41 am
Looks like it was a great party. I don’t suppose anyone has a video of the puppet show? :-D
January 20th, 2009 at 6:07 am
I am now counting down the days to the BIG! RED! 4-YEAR-OLD! Party … I’m sure it will be just as adorable and fun as this one was :)
January 20th, 2009 at 9:34 am
All the lead-up posts were wonderful, and I’m so glad the party turned out just as I had anticipated it would. (From afar, of course!) Bravo!
January 20th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Best. Party. Ever. Love the green food table!
January 20th, 2009 at 11:23 am
you’re such an inspiration, saj. the party looked amazing.
January 20th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
This is all just amazing. You set the bar way too high for other mothers!!!!!!!!
You are fantastic :o)
January 20th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
Wow! What a success. I am so glad it was awesome. Happy Birthday Bug!
January 20th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Your pictures are beautifully bathed in light! I wanna come to your next party!
January 21st, 2009 at 12:53 am
love the ‘green food bar’!
January 21st, 2009 at 8:31 am
You did such a fabulous job! Everything looks so festive and it’s obvious how much fun the kids had by the looks on their faces. I am so impressed :)
January 21st, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I was thinking you were the Best Mom Evar for this party even *before* I got to the ice bucket of cold green beer bottles. Spectacular!
January 21st, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Fabulous green puppet party! I love the flags.
I completely agree with you about the party planning. I love to plan every detail of the party and then I would like to sit in the corner and watch everyone else. The fun is in the planning for me!
January 22nd, 2009 at 8:11 am
Hi, i just found your site and I’m in love…all I can say is wow! Will you come plan my little girl’s parties from now until forever?! :) I can’t wait to read older posts…I can tell that I’m going to like it here.
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
This is AWESOME!!! I’m working on a Roundup of themed birthday party ideas and I’ll be linking. This is one of my all-time favorites! Let me know if you’re ever interested adopting a new “kid” in her late 20′s! =)
January 23rd, 2009 at 8:26 am
Green is my favorite color. I would have loved this as a kid!
January 24th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Hi! Thanks for stopping by my blog & for introducing me to yours. Wow! YOU are the party *queen*!
January 31st, 2009 at 11:02 am
very creative party! and nice blog.
February 2nd, 2009 at 10:45 am
saw you on design mom. LOVE the party ideas! our now-4yo had a “yellow party” for her second party. wish i’d seen your party back then! you had some great ideas we could have swiped! i love the color theme for a young child’s birthday party. so easy, so flexible, so fun, and so age-appropriate!
February 2nd, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Found you through Design mom. So cute, and I love that you did diagrams. I need to do that next party. And you can use the banner for St. Patty’s Day, too!
February 6th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this idea!!! Could you post a copy of the invitation you sent out???
SAJ says: I did! :)