Making merry with the six and seven-year-old crowd today. Johnny doesn't officially turn seven till next week, but he was sharing his celebrations with a friend and this weekend fell conveniently between their birthdays.
The whole shared party thing is not something we've ever done before. Mark enjoyed his own moment in the limelight far too much to ever consider it and I was always concerned that my own party control-freak tendencies would not allow me to play nicely in the planning of such an undertaking. But then Johnny is a very different kettle of fish.
Being the centre of attention is a form of torture for him and so I swallowed my own concerns and he and his pal cooked up a request for an indoor play centre party. Which I have to say, turned out to be a very fine thing indeed.
Not least because I got to do the invitations. Using a homemade rubber stamp - inspired by this tutorial.
And make them cupcakes as well, with a little co-ordinating pennant set for each birthday boy, cut from the insides of the security envelopes I have been squirreling away.
And the other Mum smiled indulgently at my boy's wishes for moustache straws (which I made from instructions found here, taken from this brilliant book).
United in a hatred of party bag bin-fodder, we opted for brightly wrapped books instead, with a little sweetie treat tied on.
The boys and their friends all had a great time, with no tears or squabbles or misbehaviour from anybody.
And even better, I was allowed to do all the fun bits which I love and someone else was hugely appreciative that I had done them. Turns out that it's really good to share!
And thanks for sharing your kindness with me on the last post - you guys were right - a glass of wine and a hot bath restored all sense of perspective. But sometimes we need to hear that sensible advice from friends. Thank you.
Oh Ali, it looks fabulous! Happy birthday to your boy!
Posted by: domestikate | 13 February 2011 at 23:41
What a brilliant looking party. I want to steal all your ideas! We have done a shared party for my tinier child twice, and it's worked very well - especially as having another mum involved in the planning forces me to rein in some of my more insane ideas. And I get to indulge them in the taller girl's party in June anyway :-)
Hope your little man has a fabulous time on the big day itself.
Posted by: dottycookie | 14 February 2011 at 00:25
You totally rocked the fun bits too!
Posted by: lina | 14 February 2011 at 00:38
those invitations and the party styling is very sweet. Love it!
Posted by: jess @ fushmush | 14 February 2011 at 01:16
How fun! It looks like you did a beautiful job on all the goodies -- love those cute little banners!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | 14 February 2011 at 03:43
Oooh I love the invitations, pennants, cupcakes, straws--everything! Could you please come throw me a birthday party?!
And I totally agree with you re the gift bags--wrapped books so much better.
K x
Posted by: kristina | 14 February 2011 at 07:57
love the cupcake bunting, very cute! x
Posted by: Whimsycate | 14 February 2011 at 08:02
That cupcake is just perfect in every way! And I'm definitely going to squirrel away that book idea for some point in the future when I'm throwing parties for my boy.
Posted by: Helen | 14 February 2011 at 08:36
Wow. I think if it had been me, the pennants would have fallen off the cupcakes in transit. You're made of sterner stuff.
I do love a good party in a play area. I have been to parties in people's homes, and they are BRUTAL.
Posted by: The Coffee Lady | 14 February 2011 at 08:48
Looks like the perfect party. Happy birthday to Johnny.
Posted by: Gina | 14 February 2011 at 09:15
Fantastic decorations!! I absolutely love them all.
I'm glad you're feeling better! I was thinking of you just now as I was hanging the laundry outside - my hands nearly froze and the skies are promising rain... maybe not the best day for doing it.
Posted by: Concha | 14 February 2011 at 09:30
What a perfect arrangement, I'm so glad that you got the fun bits of the party to plan. Those straw moustaches are great and you can tell that you really enjoyed making the cupcake banner and the invites because you've done such a perfect job with them. Happy birthday Johnny x
Posted by: Julie | 14 February 2011 at 10:00
Happy Birthday to Johnny for next week!
The fab party decorations look great. I want one to make those moustaches for my next party - they're great!
Very inspiring. x
Posted by: PinkCat | 14 February 2011 at 10:38
What fab looking party treats! I love the pennants on the cupcake! Lucy x
Posted by: lucylocket | 14 February 2011 at 10:53
Looks like you organised a wonderful party! So neat and very, very cute!
Just read the previous post - I can't believe the way that person spoke to you on the phone! Hope you're feeling better about it all now, guess it might have been one of those days when things get to you - bet those little blue cupcakes cheered you up though!
Posted by: Petit Filoux | 14 February 2011 at 12:45
I've been wanting to do that on top of a cake for ages... I'm wondering if a friend's birthday that coincide with our bookclub meeting is a good enough excuse to do that... and most of all ... would they 'get it'??
I do!! I do!! it's just perfect.
Posted by: Monica | 14 February 2011 at 13:41
It all looks great!
I totally agree on the undesirability of party bag plastic tat. Very painful to stand on.
Posted by: Amanda | 14 February 2011 at 16:03
Happy Birthday Johnny!! I hope that this year is jam packed with fun.
Posted by: Alice C | 14 February 2011 at 23:52
Beautiful, beautiful! Love all the brightly colored packages, and as always your photographs are simply wonderful. Happy birthday, Johnny!
Posted by: greetingarts | 15 February 2011 at 01:34
Looks like a wonderful party--and I bet the parents of the guests appreciated the brightly-wrapped books in lieu of the usual plastic junk. Happy birthday to all!
xofrances
Posted by: frances | 15 February 2011 at 01:51
aahh what a fab party and lovely things you created. My eldest is the same, hates attention but this year he has decided he doesn't mind having Happy Birthday sung to him (he used to run to the chicken shed when we sang so we haven't done it since :-)).
Posted by: scentedsweetpeas | 15 February 2011 at 14:48
Oh I want to be little again and have brilliant invitations and decorations! Looks fab!x
Posted by: French Knots | 16 February 2011 at 19:58