First of all, what is a PBP? It stands for “Pre-blogging Party.” You see, I’ve been crazy a lot longer than I’ve had this blog. Lately I’ve been looking at photos of parties from years past, and I’ve realized that without a digital camera, and the plans to blog about party details, my pics leave a bit to be desired, and have to be scanned. But one of my lovely readers issued an S.O.S. for a fish/under-the-sea themed party, so I dusted off the scanner. This was my daughter’s 2nd birthday party circa 2003.
INVITATION:
Truthfully, I used to be more insane than I am now. Fortunately, I didn’t make too many of these cards. I found a fish shape I liked and traced it onto a sparkly cardstock (I don’t think you can see that in this scan). I cut those out by hand and used an egg-shaped punch to punch scales out of lots of different colored papers, including one that was kind of a silver holographic sticker sheet. I was kind of going for a Rainbow Fish style. I glued each scale onto the fish, added googly eyes, and made the fins from light blue organza ribbon. I wrote the title by hand with a white opaque marker.
Inside I used circles punched from vellum to look like bubbles and for the rest of the party info. Here’s how the poem went:
What’s new?
Kira’s turning 2
Come celebrate with me…
…under the sea!
(I know. Shakespeare is starting to get nervous by my brilliance!)
CAKE & FOOD:
I still love how the cake turned out…
I don’t remember where I got the pattern, but I’m pretty sure the fish parts were cut from a couple of round cakes. FYI-I’ve found it works best to use a denser cake (less oil), and to freeze the cake a bit before attempting to cut it. The cute face is courtesy of an artistic BIL. I layered NECCO wafers for the scales. And to look like the rainbow fish, I wrapped a few of the wafers with aluminum foil.
I don’t remember where I got the pattern, but I’m pretty sure the fish parts were cut from a couple of round cakes. FYI-I’ve found it works best to use a denser cake (less oil), and to freeze the cake a bit before attempting to cut it. The cute face is courtesy of an artistic BIL. I layered NECCO wafers for the scales. And to look like the rainbow fish, I wrapped a few of the wafers with aluminum foil.
You’ve probably seen something like this around the web before. Our octopus legs aren’t super curly, because we cut them after we boiled them, to save time. The “seaweed,” is ramen noodles with green food coloring. We added some colorful Goldfish crackers for fun. I plan on repeating this food idea with a twist for the upcoming pirate party. My plan makes me giggle. Any guesses what it is?
No photos, but the edible centerpieces on each table were aquariums/seascapes made of blue jello in clear glass bowls. I used strips of fruit leather along the bottom of the bowls to look like seaweed and added swedish fish and gummy sharks to the jello when it had begun to set up.
DECORATIONS:
Aside from the edible decor I mentioned, I used lots of blues in various hues to try and achieve an under the sea feel. (Warning: Here is a prime example of a PBP photo:)
I would not have posted this photo, if I had any others that illustrated the balloon decor. We got one of those little helium tanks and blew up dozens of balloons in different shades of blues and related colors. We tied them down with large river rocks that I spray painted blue and green because they had been used for a lesson I taught at church and had writing on them. We scattered them through out the back yard to give the illusion of being under the sea surrounded by bubbles.
If I were throwing the party now, I might do fewer, bigger round balloons, and cluster them for a photo op. I used plain blue plastic table coverings, in different shades.
Here’s my daughter enjoying what is left of the balloons the day after the party.
FUN & GAMES:
The fun of the theme was that her main present was a real beta fish and aquarium to start taking care of. He was named Sunshine and managed to survive living with us for a couple of years.
My sister, Shanda, was in charge of the fun, like usual. She has the best ideas for kids! We had a fishing booth with prizes. And she helped the kids make these bubble pipes. A straw, some cotton-type fabric, and dishsoap, and you can make towers of bubbles.
I also found a pinata that looked a lot like The Rainbow Fish and the other fish in our party. (Please excuse her goofy footware–I can almost guarantee that her dad is responsible for that pairing).
Everyone had a blast at the party, except maybe the birthday girl, who wanted to play on the regular toys instead of the fishing booth and bubbles. *Sigh* You can’t win them all!
This DIY Party is joining in Kimba’s DIY party. Go check out all of the great ideas there!
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Now that was one great party! And who is that cool aunt blowing bubbles?? Just kidding! I can't believe how much she has grown up since that party!
So cute Kendra! We had a Nemo fishy party for Emma's third birthday and I pulled photos from it last week to post on my blog — great minds think alike!! I'll get the photos up in a few weeks. Looks like everyone had a swimmingly fantastic time!! Fondly, MaryLea (aka Pink and Green Mama)
So cute Kendra! We had a Nemo fishy party for Emma's third birthday and I pulled photos from it last week to post on my blog — great minds think alike!! I'll get the photos up in a few weeks. Looks like everyone had a swimmingly fantastic time!! Fondly, MaryLea (aka Pink and Green Mama)
So cute Kendra! We had a Nemo fishy party for Emma's third birthday and I pulled photos from it last week to post on my blog — great minds think alike!! I'll get the photos up in a few weeks. Looks like everyone had a swimmingly fantastic time!! Fondly, MaryLea (aka Pink and Green Mama)
Love the invitation!! It all looks great!
I like your style! We should get together and plan a party! We recently did a HUGE Indiana Jones party for Indy (imagine that). I need to get more photos up, but you can get a look at some of the prep photos here:
http://myheelsarehigherthanyours.blogspot.com/2009/08/birthday-party-by-which-all-future.html
What fun!!!! Just darling!
m ^..^
What a cute idea! I love your ecoomical and creative ideas. Thanks for the inspiration. I need a good does often.
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Now I have some ideas for my sons party. I really appreciate you posting this…now I must get busy 🙂
Heather
How fun! And the cake is amazing!
What a great party theme, your food ideas were great, isn't a blast making those cakes, I've done a castle, witch, butterfly, dolly vardon, swimming pool, cottage and who knows what I can't remember ha ha! Great memories for you and your daughter.
Fun and creative. I want a piece of cake!!