Lessons in party planning

We celebrated Riley's third birthday a couple of weeks ago, and I decided this was going to be the year when I finally threw him a real party. Like, with non-imaginary friends and a cutesy, theme and maybe even some decorations here and there. We rounded up an assortment of slip-n-slides and kiddie pools and threw all the kids in the backyard. It turned out to be pretty fun, though I'm willing to bet the urine-to-water ratio in the big kiddie pool was a little iffy by the end of the night.

If I ever throw a huge party like this again (and that's a pretty big if) I have the benefit of this year's experience. Here are some nuggets of wisdom I picked up:

# 1- Cutesy-themed parties don't so much have a discernible theme if you forget to get out all the fish plates and cups that you spent way too much on at that party store and if you let your husband talk you out of buying some cute fish balloons because hey, 'We have to draw the line somewhere.' They also don't work out very well if you run out of time because you have procrastinated and instead of decorating your back patio, it just ends up looking like this:


#2--You should not expect your friends and family to sit on your un-airconditioned back porch for two hours in 105 degree Oklahom heat and be happy about it. Though, to their credit, I didn't hear anyone complain (you guys are the best). and we all had the added benefit of losing at least a couple of pounds from all the sweating we did.

#3--It may not be the best idea to offer to rent an 8-foot inflatable slide from someone you have never met on Craig's list, tell them you will have cash on hand for the rental and the deposit, and then give them your address and directions to your house. Especially when they show up looking like someone you might see on a wanted poster. Although in this case, I have to admit it really worked out for me (and no, I won't do it again.) I got a great deal and the slide was a hit.

Need some proof? Just look at that smile:



#4: Even if your husband spends two hours in the backyard filling up a cooler full of water balloons, they will still all be gone in just under two minutes.



Here's my fish cake, the one lonely remnant of the fish themed party that was sadly not meant to be.


Look at that determined look on Riley's face...the cake never stood a chance.





After the party when everyone went home, Riley stopped playing with his new toys for a few seconds to look up at me and say, "Tanks sooooo much for my burday party mommy." It was totally worth it.