Party Planning Mode

Okay, so I think Ava may be down for the count finally and I have time to blog some more :)

So with two big parties to plan this year I have been brain-storming like crazy.

First>> Ava's first birthday :) She turns one on St. Patrick's day. (She'll love this when she's older!) I considered the thought of having a St. Patricks Daysey themed party, but we are planning to do it the weekend following so no dressing her like a little leprachaun (spelling?) for the party. Maybe for the parade though :)

Since I have an obsession with cupcakes, I think that is what I am going with. Another reason to use my mini cupcake maker I got for Christmas :) and make these mouth-watering and oh-so cute red velvet cupcake bites/pops! I found the recipe at Bakerella.

I can't wait to try these out :) Yummy!

Second>> The other party I am planning is Noah's mom's retirement/going away party. I am so happy to do this for her because she deserves a party just to celebrate her. She's always going to baby showers, bridal showers, etc. for other people and now it can be about her! She is retiring from being a kindergarten teacher and I am thinking of having a classroom/old school themed party. I found these ideas for it last night. Granted these are for a baby shower, but I can alter it for a retirement party.

love the incorporation of chalkboards

I want to go with either a report-card like or elementary tablet paper invitation


going to use a composition book as a guest book



You can't see them well in this picture, but I love the idea of hanging up giant flash cards

I was thinking school themed food like sandwiches, apples all through-out, with fun snacks (goldfish, pretzels, animal crackers) along with different types of dips, veggie/fruit trays...

School/classroom decore throughout...

Cheesy? or Cute? I think it will turn out great and i think she'll be tickled, personally.