[blparent] Planning a Birthday Party

[Erin Rumer]

Sure thing!  I found that it was the cheapest way to go for everything you
get and it turned-out wonderfully.  We got our cake at Costco and it was
only around $20 after taxes.  Can't beat that for a whole sheet cake and
they'll customize it for you.  You just pick-out what picture and flavor you
want and tell them what to write on it.

If you do things at home just prepare English muffin pizzas ahead of time to
throw in the oven when folks arrive so there's no cutting.  For ice cream
just get those little ice cream cups and designate the cake to another
parent.  There are a ton of games like pin the tail on the donkey that you
can do that really don't require sight but nothing's wrong with having other
parents participate in the help because that's what parents should do at
parties anyways sighted or not.  Get a pinyotta and that's always a huge hit
with the kids.

Erin

Erin

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jo
Elizabeth Pinto
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 10:10 PM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] Planning a Birthday Party

I'll definitely call my local branch and check into this.  Thanks!

Jo Elizabeth

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may
kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at
evening.--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
-----Original Message-----
From: Erin Rumer
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 5:49 PM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] Planning a Birthday Party

It was awesome!  For 8 kids including our son and around 15 adults we paid
$150.  That included the kids meals that came with a toy, whatever each
adult ordered for food and drink, Chick Fil A decorating with helium
balloons, table cloths, plates, napkins and party hats, a personal staff
member who did all the running for food and drinks plus helped with set-up
and take-down, and a visit from the Chick Fil A cow in costume.  The
particular one we did it at also had a play zone for the kids to play and
our staff member who helped us was so amazing she cut the cake for us and
even put cake in individual containers for folks to take home.  The kids
were $5 each and that includes their meal and hat plus whatever decorations
they do.  Then we paid an additional $4 for the kids to go home with a party
favor bag that had another toy, sticker and coupon for a free meal the
next-time they come in.  The restaurant also provided the knife for cutting
the cake and checked with us to make sure the timing was just right for
bringing the cow in costume out.  It was a inexpensive, hassle free blast
and we're definitely going to be having parties for Dawson their again.  We
paid the same amount to do our son's 1st birthday party at home with 10 kids
and 15 adults and it was a lot of work even though we kept things as simple
as we could.  We kept the decorations down to one big miler balloon, a
couple of banners and some streamers.  Then for food we did pizza and
lemonade from Costco, a veggie platter with hummus and fruit salad and pasta
salad we made ourselves, and cake.  Then as a party favor I took Dawson's
old baby food jars and filled them with candy and they were a hit.  I did
have plans to put cute messages on them wrapped around the outside of the
jars like a label but never got around to it.  We will definitely have other
parties at home but more than anything, it's the prep work and clean-up that
kills you when you do a party at home, not to mention that if someone spills
something or someone loses their cookies from too much cake, it's your
carpet their doing it on. LOL

Erin

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jo
Elizabeth Pinto
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 2:35 PM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] Planning a Birthday Party

That's interesting about the restaurant party.  They let you bring in your
own cake?  How much did the party cost?  What was included?

Jo Elizabeth

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may
kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at
evening.--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
-----Original Message-----
From: Erin Rumer
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 3:11 PM
To: 'Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] Planning a Birthday Party

Jo Elizabeth,

To best answer your question please tell us what it is yourself conscious
about exactly?  Is it making sure your house looks nice enough for sighted
company because if that's it just have a friend or family member chip-in and
help be your eyes to make sure there's no tuffs of dog hair hiding in funny
places or crayon on the wall anywhere.  If it's making visually presentable
food you're worried about, make it simple with pizza, finger foods and easy
to throw together salads.  Decorating is something your daughter can
help-out with and she's old enough to let you know if a banner is upside
down.  Even if balloons are in funny places it doesn't matter because you
can tell everyone how your daughter helped decorate and they'll think that
anything is adorable because she had a part in the preparation.  You can
always just get the helium balloons and tie them to the back of chairs and
on tables so they look great automatically with little effort.  We did my
son's 1st birthday at home and it was a lot of sweat labor but fun.  For his
second birthday we had his party at Chick Fil A and with about ten less
guests then his first birthday party, the cost came to the same as having it
at home and the restaurant staff took care of everything which was awesome.
All we had to do was bring the cake and they took care of everything else.

Hope this helps,

Erin

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jo
Elizabeth Pinto
Sent: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 1:51 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: [blparent] Planning a Birthday Party

Okay, so as a blind mom, I feel really self-conscious about having a bunch
of kids and their parents in my home.  But my daughter wants a birthday
party for some of her preschool friends, not just the one at church that we
usually have for her.  So where do I start?  What do I need to know?

Sorry if this is a stupid question.

Jo Elizabeth

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at a touch; nay, you may
kick it about all day like a football, and it will be round and full at
evening.--Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.
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