2008 Harry Potter Party "Preterm Classes at Hogwarts"

I was so excited when Elise told me she wanted a Harry Potter party!  I had so many ideas.  Definitely the most fun party for both the adults as well as the kids.

 Invitations to Hogwarts for 'Preterm Classes' carried in by a feathery friend.

Wands made by my husband, Brad.  

They drew a number out of a bag, and that's how their wand chose them.

 'Potions Class' was fun and delicious.

Each guest got to help add ingredients to make our polyjuice potion (aka: rootbeer floats)

Hypogryphs

Using origami, googly eyes, feathers and glue, the guests made their own hypogryphs. 

The Sorting Hat cake. 

One of the most incredibly challenging and fun cakes I've made so far.

The Golden Snitch 

How could they possibly attend Hogwart's without playing Quiddich?

Using a sand volleyball court at the park, the kids played with a big ball. If they caught the snitch (which my brother randomly ran around the court) they automatically won. However, they had to look out for the Bludger.  It was a blast!

Honeyduke's Sweets Shop

For the goodie bags, the guest went shopping for magical sweets.

Chocolate frogs, Every Flavor Beans and much more.

2008 Wall-E Party

My youngest loved the movie Wall-E, and I'm all about taking care of our planet.

We had a treasure hunt to find 'trash' that was scattered around so that Wall-E could collect it.

I found some neat Wall-E eye masks online.  After the kids found the 'treasure', we blindfolded them with one of the masks, and had them try to give it to Wall-E for reuse.

Phoenix sitting by Wall-E. (Hand drawn)

Eve Cake

The Wall-E mask/blindfold

2007Fear Factor Party

Elise was so excited about this party!  She has always had a bit of a tom-boyish personality.

She love that she would get to gross out her friends.

'If fear is not a factor for you..." Invitations

Eyeball [gumballs] in slim (jello).  They could not use their hands, and the goggles were necessary.

Earth Worm Munch (gummy worms coated in honey and crushed Oreos)

The candy bugs added the perfect touch.

Goodie bags filled with candy bugs and other creepy fun things.

2006 Movie Star Party

This party had a very swanky feel on a very small budget.  

The invitations were fun and simple.

 Along with the "caviar" (pudding), we had "sushi" (wraps cut to sushi size).

 Because she has always felt bound for stardom, she got her 'Star on the Walk-of-Fame' cake.

2006 Slumber Party

This party was really fun to put together! The rule in my house was no sleepovers until you turn 7, unless it's with cousins.  My second daughter was so excited to have her first sleepover for her birthday party.

The invitations were printed on card-stock and put into sleeping bags that I made out of glittery felt.

They each made their own personal pizza.

It was a lot of work, but so much fun.

 Pink Slippers cake

Good food was followed by karaoke... 

Have you ever watched 7 year olds attempt karaoke?

It's a riot!

In the beginning...

I have always loved parties! Once my girls started requesting themed parties, I had to improvise with a lot since I have been on a tight budget at times.  I have never really minded so much since it allows me to use my creativity in ways I never thought I would.

2005 Make-Over Party

One of the first bigger parties that I did for my oldest daughter, Paris was a make-over party.

Made the invitations to look like compacts.

Printed card-stock with aluminum foil for the mirror.

The goodie bags, I handmade from a template I found online.  

They were filled with fun kid jewelry and a few pieces of jewel-like candy.

2005 Barbecue/Swimming Party

This is one of the first cakes that I made that I was truly proud of.

My second daughter was having a barbecue/swimming party.