So much has gone on since the party, it's taken me this long to finally post about it! It was a lot of fun!

It was a stretch for me in that I am trying hard to beat the pressure of parties.

You know what I mean...

the BIGGER BETTER (more expensive) birthday parties?

Kids (parents) try to outdo one another when it comes to birthday parties and it can get out of hand (imo).
More elaborate decorations.
Huge entertainment expenses.
Lots of food...most even doing meals these days.
LOTS of time. Heck, some parties I've been to lately are an all day event!
and the one that rubs me the most..the "goody bags" or downright gift for the attendees.

So...I try to NOT do all of that.
I've been successful a few times in all categories.
I like to do streamers, balloons, and homemade (computer made) decorations.
I like to do mommy-made games/activities that correspond to the theme.
For food...it's cake and ice cream only.
I would love for guests to be in AND out in no more than 2.5 hours.
I do NOT do goody bags.

This year Caleb's party had a great theme...BUGS.
It was one that I could do and stick to my low key/high fun ideas.
Here's the thing though.... Caleb had met "The Bug Man".
He was a guy out of a nearby zoo that came to Caleb's preschool this past spring. He brought animals and BUGS for all of the kids to see. Caleb was the one that got to hold the hissing cockroach.

Caleb LOOOOOVED it.
He talked about it FOREVER.
SO....I looked into having the guy come for Caleb's birthday party.

Yes, I did.

When Caleb's "Nana" and his "PapaLou" asked what Caleb wanted for his upcoming birthday gifts I let them know about The Bug Man. Instead of more toys that Caleb wouldn't need, especially toys that they would spend a lot of money on, I asked if they wanted to each put the money instead to the cost of The Bug Man.

They did.
We booked him.

So much for my low-key parties.

Now...I didn't go nuts. As far as the other criteria..it was all still met except I didn't have to plan/make/create ANY other activity/game for entertainment.
The Bug Man was it.
Less decorations too.
I LOOOVED the cake we got (I designed and talked to a wonderful lady at the Wal-Mart bakery... she did it all and way better than I had even dreamed of!) and still no other food except ice cream.
No goody bags.
Time frame still met.

It was fabulous.
There was: a hissing cockroach, big walking sticks, tropical cockroaches that get 6 inches long, a kotamundi/coatimundi, a baby kangaroo, a blue-tongued skink, a huge porcupine, and 2 gorgeous and large snakes. .. I think that's it.
The kids AND adults all really seemed to enjoy it. I've never seen anything that truly captivated all ages.

So...here are photos from our "low key", traditional, birthday party.
;0)




Caleb also got to read his
Bug book to everyone at the party.
He was SO excited to
get to do this and it was
our way of getting everyone
seated and diverted
while The Bug Man
set up. :0)






this was as close as Georgia wanted
to get to all of the critters.
She was NOT interested!


(he really was a lot happier than he looks here!)

6 comments

1. Chelsea on July 12, 2008 at 7:05 PM

   You didn't tell me about The Bug Man. I am so sad I missed it. :( Darn gas prices.

    
2. Grateful for Grace on July 12, 2008 at 8:09 PM

   Did you say 'low key'? hee hee!
   
   It was TONS of fun! Super duper bug birthday!

    
3. Grateful for Grace on July 12, 2008 at 9:08 PM

   Ok, I reread. You did use sarcasm and I missed it.
   
   Truly, though, it was one of the best birthday parties! So fun & educational. It was great to see Caleb sooooo happy (and for those who don't believe Robin that he was happy holding the hissing cockroaches, he was! He ran up there to hold them. The rest of us were grossed out!!!)!!
   
   And BTW, I think your parties are da' bomb! Always. Every one of them.
   
   And, man! I'm glad we were on the guest list this year! ;-)

    
4. theevansfamily on July 12, 2008 at 11:18 PM

   Wow. What an awesome looking party. BUT...I would have been with Georgia on the couch. I do NOT do snakes! Seriously though, what an awesome and creative idea. I'll have to tap into your party planning ideas here in the future. See you Tues!

    
5. Dawn @ simply transparent on July 13, 2008 at 9:18 AM

   I really liked that cake!
   
   My 10 who I've always giving "over the top"B-day partys to...experieced not having one this past month, because he wanted the "surprise" instead of the party.
   
   Nintendo DS...need I say more!
   
   I bet the "bug man" wasn't cheap, it looked like a very fun filled day for your little one!

    
6. theevansfamily on July 15, 2008 at 3:27 PM

   LOVED spending time with yous-guys today. Thanks for having us over!