How to throw a party for your kids and their pets

Putting two birthdays together is always a bit difficult, but especially if one of those birthdays is for a family pet. So, how can you put the two together? Here are a few ideas for a dog themed party for your little one and their furry friend!

Where will you have the party? The backyard is your best bet. This way the kids and the dogs will be able to run free and play. Just make sure you watch for the dogs that go potty!

Paw prints are always a hit for a puppy party! Feel free to put them on anything and everything: the tablecloth, the dogie bags, the welcome sign, etc.

A puppy piñata is not only a great idea, but great fun!

For the food, make sure you have treats and snacks for both the kids and the pets. Be sure to separate them so neither party gets confused as to which one is theirs. Try putting the kids at a higher table so the dogs won’t be able to get to it and leave the puppy stuff closer to the ground.

Best thing to put in a goodie bag? Dog bones! Use a cookie cutter to make a bone shape for bone cookies fit for kids (don’t forget the icing!) and get medium sized bones from your local pet store to have for the dogs at the party. You can also have a ball in the bags for the kids and a chew toy in the bags for the dogs.

What games should we play? Planned games may not be necessary since the kids will have fun running around with the dogs on their own. If you would like to have a few on hand try playing Red Rover, Red Rover or Pin the Tail on the Cat. You can also take all the party goers to obedience school where they can practice rolling over, sitting and laying down. The sight of your kids doing this with your dogs will make for great pictures!

Have fun!

sources: Kara’s Party Ideas, DannyandJess, The Whisker Gifters Blog

all images found on DannyandJess

Real Events: Bert’s Big Adventure Send Off Party

Several years ago I was approached by one of my favorite clients, Stacey Weiss, to get involved in a nonprofit that she runs – Bert’s Big Adventure. Bert’s Big Adventure is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization designed to take children with a chronic or terminal illness and their families on an all-expense paid, red carpet treatment trip to Walt Disney World each year. It’s a chance for these families to escape, for just a few days, the endless hospital visits and treatments and have a few days of magic.  As a mom of small children, this is a cause that is close to my heart and I was more than happy to get involved. They asked us to help them make the Send off event a true red carpet experience to really set the stage for the magical adventure the families are about to embark upon. Each year we have added more touches and made it just a little better and this year was my
favorite yet.  The show is broadcast live from the event at the Sheraton Gateway Atlanta and it is an exciting begining to this magical trip.

 

 

This year a Mardi Gras theme was chosen and we used a bright and festive color scheme of purple, gold and green. We designed invitations
and signage using a Mardi Gras mask as the element we carried throughout. The familes were greeted with welcome baskets containing our
signature themed water bottles and gorgeous brightly colored mask sugar cookies.

Our vision was to create a mini “Bourbon Street” in the hotel ballroom. Each vendor was set up as a mini “shop” with fun. New Olreans themed
names. We made our Posh Tot Events shop “Camille’s Costume Emporium” and helped the children to dress up in fun costumes. We had street
lights and signage to mark the path and the entrance was marked with a huge balloon mask arch.

The food station area was  dubbed “Crescent Street Cafe”, and we set up small bistro size tables with umbrellas around them to help create the
feel of a street side cafe. Carters, a major sponsor of Bert’s Big Adventure, enlisted our help to create their booth – the “Bourbon Street Art Studio”.
We filled it with area rugs, arts supplies and brightly colored tables and chairs set up as art stations at which the children decorated journals
to take with them on their trip. 

 

 

 

Something new we added this year was an event stage for the performers. We had a magician and several musicians and entertainers that
had time on the stage to perform. We arranged the tables around the stage so everyone could get a good view of the fun and adorned
them with beautiful organza overlays in green and purple. We topped them with floating balloon centerpieces with feather boas and
table names that gave a nod to famous New Orleans places and phrases. Each table was also sprinkled with brightly colored coins
for good luck.

 

Something we have been doing every year is a pampering area for the parents. We have enlisted the help of hair and makeup artists
and massage therapists to provide services to the very deserving parents of these children and this year they were setup in their own mini “suites”.

To view more pictures from this event and learn more about the organization, visit Bert’s Big Adventure.

Vendor Credits

Entertainers:  Curtains Up, Turner Magic, Imagine It Children’s Museum

Face Painting: Fancy Faces 4 U

Linens: I Do Linens

Draping: Unique Event Management

Makeup and Hair: Balance Salon and Aura Hair and Makeup

Inflatable and pop up tents: Jumptastic

Massage Therapy: Victoria Kramer Massage

Balloon Design: Balloonacy

Welcome Basket Cookies: Yummy Delicious Cookies

Embroidered backpacks for the children: The Monogrammed Marketplace

Summer Camps List and Activities

Now that you know what to consider when you’re thinking about summer camps, now it’s time to pick one! Like we mentioned in our last post, you should pick a camp with a concentration that your child is interested in. Here we have a list of different camps that have different concentrations and some that have multiple concentrations. Each camp has a link for you to read further into each one. Happy searching!

Music & Theater Camps:

• Gwinnett Young Singers Music Camp.
  • 2nd – 8th grade
  • 770-935-6657
• The Atlanta Workshop Players Summer Camp.
  • Ages 6 – 18
  • 770-998-8111
• Ferst Center of the Arts at Georgia Tech.
  • Ages 8 – 15
  • 404-385-4219

Sports Camps:

• Chinese Shaolin Center Kung Fu Camp
  • Ages 5 – 12
  • 770-422-9250

• Peter Howell Tennis Camp
  • Ages 7 – 17
  • 404-364-8437

• Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta Summer Camp
  • Ages 2 – 5
  • 770-975-8337

Sleep-Away Camps:

• Kabeyun Summer Camp for Boys
  • Alton Bay, New Hampshire
  • Ages 7 – 16
  • 603-875-3060
  • Sports, art and adventure trips

• Long Lake Camp for the Arts
  • Long Lake, New York
  • Ages 9 – 16
  • 914-693-7111
  • Dance, art, rock (bands), circus, sports, theater and music
• Emma Willard GirlSummer
  • Troy, New York
  • Ages 6 – 13
  • 518-833-1300
  • Art, dance, drama, adventure trips and writing

Film/Technology & Fashion Camps:

• Henley’s Haven; Youth Computer, Entertainment & Design Camp
  • Ages 8 – 16
  • 678-602-3675

• iD Tech Camps at Emory University
  • Ages 7 – 17
  • 1-888-709-TECH

• Fashion Workshops Summer Camp
  • Ages 7 – 15
  • 404-453-1365

Are you thinking summer camps?

Yes, we know it’s still cold outside, but the warmth will be here soon! And with summer comes the question, what will we do with the kids? You’re still headed to work each morning and leaving the kids in front of the television all day is not number one on your list of things you’re okay with. So, now is the time to start looking into summer camps and getting ready to sign your kids up! First there are a few things that you should take into consideration:

1. What are your little ones interested in?

You don’t want to send them to a camp that has a concentration in something they dislike. If they enjoy banging your pots, try sending them to a music camp. If your walls are covered in crayon, an art camp is your best bet. Take a moment to really talk to them and ask them what they enjoy. They will have so much more fun if they’re doing something they truly enjoy.

2. What kind of camp is it?

Is it just a day camp or a sleep-away camp? For the younger ones a day camp is a better choice. Not only are they not ready to be away from home for an extended period, but I’m sure you aren’t ready to let them go that much either. A day camp also allows you to hear all about their exciting day when it’s time for them to come home. A sleep-away camp is best for older children. It’s a new adventure for them and starts them on their way to independence and lets them meet and befriend new people.

3. How long does the camp last?

You should see if the camp only lasts a couple weeks or if it lasts for the entire summer. This can help you decide whether you want to sign your kids up for a second camp or just let them get comfortable in the same one.

4. How far away is the camp?

Do you want to keep your kids close by or do you want to send them away to experience some place new. Day camps should be pretty close to home or even on your way home from work to make it easy for you to pick them up at the end of the day. Sleep-away camps can be anywhere you choose from 30 minutes away to across the country (even better if you have family in that part of the country). You could also ask your child where they want to go and then build on that.

5. What do you need to bring to camp?

Once you have chosen a camp, what supplies will the need to bring with them? Day camps usually have simple supplies much like school, such as: crayons, markers, pencils, paper, glue, etc. Sleep-away camps can have much bigger supplies, such as: bedding, food, different types of clothing and other things of that nature.

6. Does your child have special considerations?

If your child has allergies, asthma, diabetes or any other possible illness, these are things that you need to inform all of the camp leaders and counselors of. They will have the task of taking care of your child while you’re away and they need to know these things to ensure a happy, healthy time at camp.

 

Make sure you check back here on Thursday for a list of different camps to consider!

Real Events: Cooks in the Kitchen – A Baking Themed 6th Birthday Party

We love it when clients come back year after year, although it can present a challenge in the theme department. We have to kick the creativity up a notch so that each event feels fresh and new. This year one of our favorite Posh Kids, Parker Bella, turned 6 and her mom and I devised a girly, baking theme to keep the girls entertained.

We used a fun color palette of Parker’s favorite colors – lavender and turquoise adding a little yellow for accent. The tables took on a whimsical
feel with centerpieces that used baking supplies and mini “cookbooks”.  We kept it girly by adding  jewels to the place cards and goblets and little cupcake charms to the napkin holders. The water bottles were dressed up with mini wisks fashioned out of ribbon.

 

The party started with an apron decorating activity that the girls really enjoyed. Personalized aprons were embellished with glitter glue,
felt shapes and letters.

The cake was created to coordinate with the invitations and featured baking supplies made from fondant and finished with a satin sheen.

Each girl got her very own cloth chef hat to wear (and take home!) before we got to work on the food. Three stations were set up for the
girls to rotate through and they each made fruit skewers, tea sandwiches and best of all cookies!  The girls were able to immediately enjoy
the fruits of their labor as they sat down to eat the treats they had prepared. After the cake was served each guest received a set of mini
cooking tools to take home along with their chef hats. It was a delicious day of fun for Parker Bella and her friends.

Vendor Credits

Apron Decorating Kits: Sew Plain Jane

Chef Hats: Growing Cooks

Cake: Dot’s Delights

Event Planning and Design: Posh Tot Events

Card Carriers

With the prospect of your child coming home with a backpack full of  Valentine’s day cards and candy, why not help them make a little mailbox to keep it all in? Plus, they will be the talk of the classroom with one of these cute carriers. This is a great way to personalize a cute holiday.

Here is a neat way to recycle an empty cereal box. Disney Family Fun shows us how! Cover it in plain paper and decorate however you like! Click on the photo for even more instructions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All Things Heart and Home shows us a neat way to decorate a store bought mailbox. Their way is a bit advanced for a little one, so replace some of the extra paper with stickers and personal drawings.

Valentine’s Day Prep

It’s almost Valentine’s Day! The classrooms are filled with hearts and sparkles in pink and red and the kids are getting their cards ready. Here are a few things that you will need to make this Valentine’s Day easy and fun!

1. Make sure that you get a list of names for all of your child’s classmates. This way you won’t leave anyone out and you eliminate the guess work of spelling names correctly.
2. Get bags of small chocolates or candies for your child to pass out with their cards.
3. Also, be sure to find out if any of the kids in the class have any food allergies. If so, get a small bag of candy that they can have as well.
4. If you’re helping your little one make their own Valentine’s cards you’ll need a few supplies, such as, markers, stickers, cardstock paper and ribbon
5. You’ll need a package of envelopes big enough to fit the card and candy.

If you would rather skip the DIY V-Day cards, here are a some printables that you can have ready in a flash!

The Rubber Punkin, Paperboxpress, Catch My Party, Skip to my Lou

It’s Circle Time!

Story time can be the best time of day for a child. Even though I know you probably love the 6 book circle time with your little one, why not have someone else read them a story for a change? There are tons of bookstores and story houses just waiting to read stories to eager little ears! The bookstore nearest to you may have some of their own weekly story times planned. So, next time you’re close by, stop in and ask them about their scheduled story times or if they have any (you may get to start a new trend!). In the meantime, here are some upcoming story times in the Atlanta area that you can head over to!

Barnes & Noble: Buckhead
2900 Peachtree Road NE Suite 310, Atlanta, GA 30305.  404-261-7747

- Saturday February 5th, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.
Children’s Hour: Falling for Rapunzel

“Hilarious text, clever page-turns and vibrant, eclectic art makes this a non-traditional Rapunzel kids will want to read about again and again.”

- Saturday February 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.
Children’s Hour: Ruby Valentine Saves the Day

“Will Ruby find a way to save the day, or will everyone in Heartland have to wait until next year to celebrate? Another heartwarming tale of a girl who discovers the true meaning of Valentine’s Day.”

* This Barnes & Noble has story time every Saturday at 11:00 a.m.! Check their website to see what other stories they are planning on reading.

Little Shop of Stories
133A East Court Square, Decatur, Georgia 30030.  404-373-6300

Storytimes:
Tuesday at 11am
Thursday at 7pm
Sunday at 3pm

Border’s: Buckhead
3637 Peachtree Rd. NE, Ste. C, Atlanta, GA 30319.  404-237-0707

Storytimes:
Every Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in February

Happy Reading!

Books to Inspire

Books are some of the greatest and easiest ways to inspire children. It gives them a sense of imagination, wonder and can even get them to try something new. Here are a few books that not only enhance the imagination, but can also inspire your little one to try different forms of arts and crafts, from doodling to decorating! It’s something fun and educational that you can both do together. You can find these books in most any location such as Barnes and Noble, Borders and even on Amazon. Happy reading!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Book

If your kids love the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, this an exciting way to make the books more interactive. It’s their very own journal to write down their thoughts and feelings and answer silly questions, a way for them to tell their own story. Plus there’s fun comic pages to read!

The Giving Tree

This book introduces children to the world of sharing and caring. This book is a wonderful story about growing to love, share and care. It will teach your children to grow in love.

Ed Emberley’s Complete Funprint Drawing Book

What kid does not love finger-painting? This book gives them tons of ways to turn those special fingerprints into to their favorite animals! It has colorful step-by-step instructions for your little one to follow. You can even help fill their book with yellow finger flowers and little green finger frogs!

Tear Up This Book!: The Sticker, Stencil, Stationery, Games, Crafts, doodle and Journal Book for Girls!

This book is exactly what it says, a big book of arts and crafts! As a part of the American Girl Series, this books gives little ladies and chance to get very creative with instructions on how to make everything from a cootie catcher to a gift box. The book has even more activities for her to do with you, with friends or all on her own!

Real Events: A New Orleans Inspired 4th Birthday

Using the Disney Movie “Princess and the Frog’s New Orleans setting as inspiration, we created this fun and colorful party for Imani’s
3rd birthday.  Her favorite color is lavender so we made sure to use that throughout the table settings with soft satin overlays and
sashes on the chairs.  2 playful jumping frogs showed up on all the printed items from the invitations to the favor tags.

To keep the little ones busy and happy, we set up a donut decorating activity that tasted as good as it looked!

Personalized favor bags were made for each guest and contained pralines direct from New Orleans.  The family served a traditional
gumbo for lunch in keeping with the theme and delicious cake for dessert.  The mom requested cupcakes with fresh strawberries for
the kids and they were a hit! A certain frog princess made an appearance and delighted the little ones with face painting and
magic tricks.

Vendor Credits

Event Design & Coordination: Posh Tot Events

Invitations: Whimsical Originals

Cake and Cupcakes: Sugarplum Visions

Favor Bags: Paper Nook

Photography by Kristen Alexander Photographer