Sunday, July 20, 2008

Happy birthday Buddy!

My ds's birthday was this week. I love theme birthday parties for my kids, but I also love keeping things extremely simple and relatively inexpensive. Living so close to the beach makes it a snap to have a fun birthday party and invite everyone we know. Plus, I don't have to clean my house before OR after the party!
I am not a fancy cake decorator. I do not make cakes shaped like cars or castles or R2D2. I just can't handle it. Therefore, I would like to kiss the person who made cupcakes trendy again. When I saw these cupcakes I nearly jumped for joy. Perfect for my shark loving ds and so easy my kids could do it. In fact, they did.

My kids frosted the cupcakes, cut out the fins from construction paper and stuck them on. Ds crushed the graham crackers into sand, dipped a few frosted cupcakes in to make "islands" and we stuck in some palm trees we had left over from last year. I even dyed the cake blue at ds's request. So incredibly easy and fun. Since I had to transport these goodies to the beach, I sent dh to the local grocery store bakery to buy a box. The bakery people never know what to charge for an empty box, so suggest .50. They'll probably go for it. If you'd like to try this at home, one box for a half-sheet cake will hold 4 dozen cupcakes. Two boxes of cake mix will make 4 dozen cupcakes, and one can of frosting covered them all.

For the rest of the party, I had some awesome beach themed games planned, but when you've got the ocean right in front of you who wants to listen to mom?

In case you'd like to have your own beach party, my game plans were: Dolphin, dolphin, shark (duck, duck goose) Red light, green light with the kids doing the crab walk Salt water relay -having the kids race to fill a sand bucket with water from the ocean using a sand shovel. Easy peasy games with no prep, so who cares that we didn't play them. We also served pizza, fruit and plenty of drinks. I found some inexpensive sand toys for party favors (though I did have to search because the school supplies were taking over the seasonal items aisles) and it was done. Oh, one more thing. Emily Post may be rolling over in her grave, but I love e-vite for party invitations.

10 comments:

smart mama said...

how fun- those are cyte-sounds like a goo time even w/o r2d2 cake :> LOL

Company EIGHT said...

Love all your ideas--what a fun, fun party! I too, am please that cupcakes are back in style. They are perfect for parties!

Anonymous said...

looks like so much fun. And those are cute cupcakes!!

Elise said...

Emily Post didn't pay over 40 cents for a stamp, either...
Cute cupcakes. I don't do cakes either, my poor attempt at a princess/barbie cake nipped any notions in the bud!!
Elise

Dan Haring said...

That looks like it was a lot of fun! Sorry we weren't able to come. Next year we shouldn't have any excuse. Tell your boys happy birthday, especially the really, really old one.

BobandLu said...

I love the cupcakes and the game ideas. We're headed to VA beach for a family reunion in a couple days and will have to play some of those games.

Anonymous said...

hi Tamlynn. :P

adorable cupcakes, btw.

Jess said...

Looks like a really fun party! Sure wish I could have my ds's party at the ocean! :)

Dan Haring said...

Hey, I already commented on this one. That's why I didn't say anything last time I came by. But if you're going to be all spooky about it and spy on me...

Frustrated Farmgirl said...

Love the cupcakes and I agree, so much easier than a cake. I don't know about your neck of the woods, but around here, the schools/preschools won't let you bring cupcakes for treats. They say they're too messy. Whatever...
Anyway, thanks for stopping over at my site and your comment. And I don't think our HOA would allow me chickens, but I wish they would!
;) -Stacey