I love planning my kids’ birthday celebrations.
I love it even more when they are specific about the items, theme, or dishes they want to serve because it makes my job easier to pull it all together.
This year, Gia was specific. She wanted her friends at the house for a simple BBQ. An American BBQ, complete with hamburgers and hot dogs and cupcakes and ice cream cake.
I was able to put together a few ideas from Pinterest, and after I pitched them to her I was able to start working!
It only took a few minutes to dig through some of the scrapbook paper I had to make these cute cupcake flags. Diego suggested I put them on top of the hamburgers! I didn’t even think of that!
A couple of years back I sewed all of these red and white check tablecloths for another birthday party. They came in really handy for this BBQ themed dinner. I just realized now, that I failed to take pictures of the food we served for dinner. It was all pretty simple and nothing required me to make it too far in advance. We grilled burgers and dogs, I made Tyler Florence’s pulled pork recipe in the morning so it was ready in time for dinner. We had some corn on the cob, cole slaw, potato salad, and a green salad too. Toppings for the burger bar included lettuce, tomatoes, sliced onions, three different kinds of cheese (cheddar, swiss and pepper jack), sauteed mushrooms, and gravy. But to be honest. I didn’t eat any of that. My friend Christie rocked out a killer lasagna. Boy, was I happy she made that! I think I may even have had another piece for breakfast in the morning! Thanks Christie!
I had a good time setting up the dessert/snack buffet. This is always my favorite part.
Devil’s Food Cupcakes with Vanilla Butter cream Icing. I baked and Gia iced. She has a much steadier hand than I do.
Cute little notepads that my friend, Vangie, found for a steal in National, nestled, in a mini tool box that was painted to fit Gia’s theme.
No need to purchase any napkins! I had all of these napkins from previous purchases. It was nice to pull them out and use them all together.
While I do pride myself in baking, I’m all for making things easier on myself with a few key purchases. Especially, when I’m not 100%, like today. Tarts were purchased from Palms Country Club.
Since this was a very small party of just family, a few friends, and some of Gia’s classmates, I kept my quantities to a minimum for each of the desserts that I served.
I was really lucky that my MIL let me borrow her super cute popcorn maker that fit perfectly into Gia’s theme, especially since the kids watched a movie in the yoga room, come movie theater.
Other details that I loved incorporating are the two side tables I picked up for a bargain.
I know all the kids were happy. I could hear it in their laughter. More importantly, at the end of the night when her and her girlfriends were getting ready for bed (part 2 of the party was a sleepover) she hugged me and thanked me. She asked if we could do something similar at the end of term because everyone had so much fun. Hearing that she was happy and that she and her friends had a great time makes all of the work worth it.
Next up: Gellibean’s 2nd Birthday. Have you seen my Very Hungry Caterpillar board on Pinterest? It’s chockfull of DIY ideas!
Good job, Mish! I love the color theme.
Thanks Patty! I had fun with this, despite feeling a little homesick. Good thing I was able to prepare all the comfort summer food that Gia requested!