party party

Under the Sea Baby Shower

July 22, 2006 /

What do you do when it’s hot and sweaty and you can barely stand to let the skin on your arms to touch the side of your body, let alone the perspiration dripping down your back? You throw a baby shower in your non-air conditioned apartment of course! Lots of talking bodies in a small room with nothing but plug in fans to keep you cool! Non-stop fun, right?!!

Well, in a way it was. I think it’s one of the most interesting parties I’ve dreamed up so far. The theme was the best. If anyone is struggling on what to do for a birthday party or a baby shower, I strongly recommend going with the “under the sea” theme. There are just so many things you can do with fish and ocean life. We had blue punch, blue cupcakes with chocolate fish cookies on top, a cake with an ocean scene decorated on top. There were dangling paper fish and plastic (christmas ornament) balls strung together as bubbles, shells every where and a few ruffly fish pinatas. Goldfish crackers and Swedish fish and gummy octopi… It was so fun I almost forgot about how much I hate people seeing my disgusting carpet.

Even the guest of honor had fun. Oh that’s right! The part was for the her!!! I thought the party was for me. I love creating these shindigs so much that sometimes I forget what the original purpose of the party was in the first place. If you looked up my name in the dictionary it would say something about how I like to “over-do” and “over-spend”. I don’t know why. I just can’t stop myself. It was really hard to pause and take time to feed the baby and rock her to sleep and play with her because I was so manic about getting my house clean and every last detail in place.

When I had a minute to think (while stuck in a back room feeding the baby) I scolded myself because if I’m not careful I’m going to be one of those mom’s who’s so wrapped in her own world she forgets her daughter’s dance recitals or throws away precious play dough sculptures just because they don’t fit in with my latest soiree. I really don’t want to be that kind of mom. I hope I stop whatever I’m doing and kiss boo boos and pet caterpillars even if my guests will be showing up in minus two hours and I still have to ice a cake and clean toilets.

But now that it’s done and most of the dishes are washed and put away and the crape paper has been stripped from the rafters, I can say that the party was a success. I think we all had fun…even if I don’t always have my priorities straight.

p.s. Baby Bug couldn’t wear her mermaid costume because it was just tooooooooo hot!

p.p.s. In the first writing of this post I didn’t say anything about how much my family helped me. They really deserve a whole post on their own. From my mom and sister-in-law catering the delicious Mexican food, to my nieces special touch on the decorations, to my Dad’s handyman skills fixing things around the house, to my Brother’s strong shoulders lifting me up high enough to reach the rafters to hang streamers…. they are what make me tick. I don’t think any other family would be so patient, willing and enthusiastic to help a crazy lunatic party-planning freak, like me, realize her dreams. Thank you guys. I love you.

24 Comments

  • Jennifer

    July 22, 2006 at 11:09 pm

    That looks like so much fun. I’m sure you DO have your priorities straight. As Baby Bug gets older she can help with any future party preparaions. I hope being near the ocean made it more bearable than the 105 we were enduring out here in Northern Orange County, whew. I’d love to pick your brain for 1 year old party ideas.

  • Daisy Mae

    July 23, 2006 at 5:09 am

    I LOVE your party theme and I just may have to steal that idea for my granddaughters next birthday. The blue punch looked so cool! What an awesome idea.

    That will be the theme of your next book (after the homemade baby food book) – 101 party themes by SAJ.

    Phooey, you aren’t the sort of mother that will forget to kiss her darlings boo boo’s and such. You will be just fine!

  • Kristin

    July 23, 2006 at 5:37 am

    Yeah, you definitely have some mad creative skills, my friend. The little ribboned shells are awesome…and that cake looks way too good to eat.

  • Steph

    July 23, 2006 at 9:23 am

    That was very very very cute!!!! Love everything you did…..you need to have a party planning biz….one more thing to do!!!

  • BeachMama

    July 23, 2006 at 2:36 pm

    Oh my goodness that was fabulous! I love it! You could so easily throw together a book of party ideas, or at the very least you should be featured in a magazine.

    I love to throw parties, but you take the cake ;).

    (my family helps too, it rocks to have such great helpers)

  • Jamie

    July 24, 2006 at 5:09 am

    I especiallly love the blue punch with blue berries floating on top, and the glass ornament “bubbles”. Very cute, you should be proud.

  • Marissa

    July 24, 2006 at 7:43 am

    Love it! Too bad the weather had to be so freakin’ hot this weekend. I think Eureka was the coolest spot in the state.

  • Carrie

    July 24, 2006 at 9:57 am

    It looks like a very fun party, even if it is fishy! I totally wish I lived near you and could rope you in to planning a party for me. I don’t ever have clever decorating ideas like that. I never throw parties, so I guess the point is moot.

    You are a creative force to be reckoned with!

  • Anonymous

    July 24, 2006 at 10:41 am

    Such cute ideas! The colors you chose made it look like you didn’t need an air conditioner and cooler than I think it probably was!

  • Jamie

    July 24, 2006 at 10:42 am

    You know how to throw one heck of a party! Really, I think you could do a wonderful party planning business some day. You know…in your spare time! ;) You’re so creative…Baby Bug is one lucky baby.

  • Nila

    July 24, 2006 at 9:43 pm

    Baby Bug’s going to have the best parties ever. She’s so lucky to have such a creative mom. Party planning is your forte.

  • Kristina

    July 25, 2006 at 7:19 am

    Lady, you are one creative cat! When we’re blessed with the coming of a baby is there any chance I can get you to swing up to Toronto and throw me a shower? Heehee!

  • Scarlett

    July 27, 2006 at 5:29 pm

    yeah! you are so creative in so many ways! you could do that professionally as well later on! and baby bug can be your assistant!

    fun fun!

    oh by the way, i was wondering – or i thought you had your paris photos on flickr? no? i can’t see them, anyway, i enjoyed your time in paris! haha! i hope to go next year and visit a new friend i have from france! she and her darling daughter are here visiting us now! so much fun!

  • thebizofknowledge

    August 2, 2006 at 2:01 pm

    I stumbled across your blog while I was doing some online research. I was really impressed with this suggestion and just wanted to let you know that I passed it along to someone I know who was grappling with a theme for a birthday party. They were thrilled!

  • Ro

    August 5, 2006 at 1:48 pm

    I love your shower ideas!! Your party was a hit! I’m hosting one in September with the same theme. Would you mind sharing the wording on your invitations?

    Thanks a bunch!!