TOTALLY GEEKED!

chef · Guru

DS' Birthday Party

Southern_Belle · Nothing's Impossible

The children must all have whistles!

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

At Hobby Lobby, I found what looked like engineer hats, you could get each kid one and put their name on it.

I also saw wooden train sets that could be painted.

Where will the party be?

If you have a nice outside space, create a train station with a train ride.

A sign with departure times can list the days events.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Southern_Belle wrote:
The children must all have whistles!

Hobby lobby always has wooden train whistles in with their Christmas stuff.

chef · Guru

Southern_Belle wrote:
The children must all have whistles!

Check!

DS picked them out ... and got mad when he wasn't allowed to open the package and play with them.

chef · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
At Hobby Lobby, I found what looked like engineer hats, you could get each kid one and put their name on it.

I also saw wooden train sets that could be painted.

Where will the party be?

If you have a nice outside space, create a train station with a train ride.

A sign with departure times can list the days events.

The party will be at my grandma's house.

A train track is already in the works for her backyard. Complete with signs and such. If it rains, her living room is big enough for the train track. Worst case, the garage can be used too.

I learned my lesson with his first party about structured activities so this will be mostly a free for all. I have musical chairs (trains) and Pin the 6 on Percy for structured activities but that's it.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

Chef, good plans. Maybe one ongoing activity to keep kids occupied when pin the tail is going on or while waiting turns,

chef · Guru

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
Chef, good plans. Maybe one ongoing activity to keep kids occupied when pin the tail is going on or while waiting turns,

That won't be a problem. The track and trains will be there throughout the party. The kids can either push the trains around or "wear" them. There's also a bunch of toys that will be accessible.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I was thinking something like this

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Or rent the trackless trains for the party.

chef · Guru

I don't have access to a tractor or barrels. Not renting anything. The kids have plenty of energy to power the trains themselves :P

chef · Guru

I have ...

Activities:
Pin the 6 on Percy
Musical Trains
Railroad track + trains for the kids to burn off energy either pushing the trains around the track or "wearing" the trains and running around the track. I have whistles already that the kids can use for this activity and take them home.

Food:
Birthday cake (regular) + dairy free cupcakes (one guest has a dairy allergy)
Bell Pepper Veggie Train (bell peppers as train cars then filled with veggies)
Shipyard (candy, pretzels, stuff like that made to resemble coal, wood, etc. - stuff that trains haul)

Goodie Bags: (not fully planned yet)
coloring sheets and crayons
Percy power bites (Reese's pieces)

Possibilities:
pinata
finger foods that are more filling than snacks but not meal-ish

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

chef wrote:
I have ...

Activities:
Pin the 6 on Percy
Musical Trains
Railroad track + trains for the kids to burn off energy either pushing the trains around the track or "wearing" the trains and running around the track. I have whistles already that the kids can use for this activity and take them home.

Food:
Birthday cake (regular) + dairy free cupcakes (one guest has a dairy allergy)
Bell Pepper Veggie Train (bell peppers as train cars then filled with veggies)
Shipyard (candy, pretzels, stuff like that made to resemble coal, wood, etc. - stuff that trains haul)

Goodie Bags: (not fully planned yet)
coloring sheets and crayons
Percy power bites (Reese's pieces)

Possibilities:
pinata
finger foods that are more filling than snacks but not meal-ish

Pinata's are fun, but if all the kids are in the 3YO age group, you may want to hold off on that. Finger foods are always good, non sugary stuff. Those items for the goodie bags are perfect, you don't need more than that.

just Czech · Give Me Grand's!

Sounds like you are planning a fun party, chef. Good luck and have fun!

We are having DGS's second birthday party at our home this year. SpongeBob is the theme. We will have a house full of all ages.. in NOVEMBER! Praying we don't have a foot of snow.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Get a piñata that will actually break!

Caitlyn's 6th birthday, piñata would not break. My cousin finally hacked it open with a hatchet.

It had a heavy wire skeleton.

Had no clue that was inside it.

Your plans sound great.

chef · Guru

Age range is 2.5 - 5. There will also be a newborn there but she'll probably be sleeping most of the time. There's a possibility older kids may be there if any of his Church friends attend.

I got the pinata idea from the birthday party last month. DS had a lot of fun whacking the pinata with the stick. After the candy was out, DS and the birthday boy pulverized the pinata.

I'm having trouble thinking of easy finger foods that I can tie in with the train theme. One of my friends suggested deviled eggs but I'm not sure how to fit that in with the theme. Hmm. Percy hauls mail according to the theme song. Maybe I can make sandwiches and cut/decorate them to look like envelopes. I dunno. Something will shake out. I don't have to finalize the menu until December so there's plenty of time.

chef · Guru

just Czech wrote:
Sounds like you are planning a fun party, chef. Good luck and have fun!

We are having DGS's second birthday party at our home this year. SpongeBob is the theme. We will have a house full of all ages.. in NOVEMBER! Praying we don't have a foot of snow.

I tend to overdo it with his parties but everyone has fun so it's worth it. I especially love seeing the smile on his cute little face!

You'll have so much fun with that theme!

chef · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
Get a piñata that will actually break!

Caitlyn's 6th birthday, piñata would not break. My cousin finally hacked it open with a hatchet.

It had a heavy wire skeleton.

Had no clue that was inside it.

Your plans sound great.

If I do a pinata, I will be making it. Papier-mache.

I would've loved to have seen the kids faces when the pinata wouldn't break. I bet they were shocked to see the wire skeleton!

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

What about a grilled cheese bar?

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Get a piñata that will actually break!

Caitlyn's 6th birthday, piñata would not break. My cousin finally hacked it open with a hatchet.

It had a heavy wire skeleton.

Had no clue that was inside it.

Your plans sound great.
If I do a pinata, I will be making it. Papier-mache.
I would've loved to have seen the kids faces when the pinata wouldn't break. I bet they were shocked to see the wire skeleton!

For that age crowd, don't do a pinata that has to be hit to break, use the ribbon kind; each kid takes turns pulling the ribbon to break the hole make for the candy to fall out.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Get a piñata that will actually break!

Caitlyn's 6th birthday, piñata would not break. My cousin finally hacked it open with a hatchet.

It had a heavy wire skeleton.

Had no clue that was inside it.

Your plans sound great.
If I do a pinata, I will be making it. Papier-mache.
I would've loved to have seen the kids faces when the pinata wouldn't break. I bet they were shocked to see the wire skeleton!
For that age crowd, don't do a pinata that has to be hit to break, use the ribbon kind; each kid takes turns pulling the ribbon to break the hole make for the candy to fall out.

That's a great idea!

chef · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
What about a grilled cheese bar?

That could be fun!

Whatever I do needs to be adaptable for guests with allergies. One guest has a dairy allergy so I'd have to find an alternate option for her.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Grilled tomato sandwich? I eat them.

If you include some deli meats, that might work.

Peanut butter, bacon, and banana? It was good enough for the king!

chef · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
Grilled tomato sandwich? I eat them.

If you include some deli meats, that might work.

Peanut butter, bacon, and banana? It was good enough for the king!

I don't know how Elvis ate that. Gross. DH has a cookbook based off Elvis' food likes. A lot of the recipes in there make me gag.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

There are some amazing dairy free cheeses that melt just fine. They even come in slices.

chef · Guru

Mellow Momma wrote:
There are some amazing dairy free cheeses that melt just fine. They even come in slices.

Would you list some brands?

Vette · Owl drink to that!

Daiya cheese is a popular vegan cheese brand

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

You could ask her parents how they substitute cheese and what they use.

chef · Guru

VetteGirl wrote:
Daiya cheese is a popular vegan cheese brand

This is probably a stupid question but would vegan automatically be dairy free?

chef · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
You could ask her parents how they substitute cheese and what they use.

The dairy free person is the mom of 2 of the guests. She simply doesn't eat cheese in her day-to-day life.

I'm making her dairy free cupcakes since the main cake won't be dairy free.

WYSIWYG · Guru

While making your plans, don't forget some adult liquid painkiller (alcohol) for after the party.

chef · Guru

WYSIWYG wrote:
While making your plans, don't forget some adult liquid painkiller (alcohol) for after the party.

Not necessary. We're not drinkers.

WYSIWYG · Guru

Fair enough. Truly rich and decadent "Death by Chocolate" cake then. ;)

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
You could ask her parents how they substitute cheese and what they use.
The dairy free person is the mom of 2 of the guests. She simply doesn't eat cheese in her day-to-day life.
I'm making her dairy free cupcakes since the main cake won't be dairy free.

Oh. It's an adult and it's a choice, not an allergy?

I wouldn't wouldn't worry too much about it then.

As long as you have other things for her to munch on, she should be fine without a grilled cheese sandwich.

Vette · Owl drink to that!

chef wrote:
VetteGirl wrote:
Daiya cheese is a popular vegan cheese brand
This is probably a stupid question but would vegan automatically be dairy free?

Yes vegan is dairy free :)

FNW · Guru

The boys loved Thomas and Friends when they were that age. Now they cringe. LOL My mom saw a large truck hauling the Thomas Engine on I-10 going across the country last week. She got a picture of it for the boys. They did smile though.

Freeze Dance is always a good one to engage the kids if they get out of control. Also helps get the wiggles out in an organized fashion. Good to keep in mind if they start to fight among themselves.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
You could ask her parents how they substitute cheese and what they use.
The dairy free person is the mom of 2 of the guests. She simply doesn't eat cheese in her day-to-day life.
I'm making her dairy free cupcakes since the main cake won't be dairy free.

If she is the mom of the guests, I wouldn't worry about it. Have a veggie tray and a fruit option and be done. She likely eats before coming to these things and doesn't really on kid party food.

chef · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
You could ask her parents how they substitute cheese and what they use.
The dairy free person is the mom of 2 of the guests. She simply doesn't eat cheese in her day-to-day life.
I'm making her dairy free cupcakes since the main cake won't be dairy free.
Oh. It's an adult and it's a choice, not an allergy?
I wouldn't wouldn't worry too much about it then.
As long as you have other things for her to munch on, she should be fine without a grilled cheese sandwich.

Wow! What did I say that gave you the impression it was a choice and not an allergy?

It's an allergy. As throat-closing, hives, swelling.

And no, I accommodate my guests' allergies. Part of being a good hostess, imo.

chef · Guru

VetteGirl wrote:
chef wrote:
VetteGirl wrote:
Daiya cheese is a popular vegan cheese brand
This is probably a stupid question but would vegan automatically be dairy free?
Yes vegan is dairy free :)

Thanks!

chef · Guru

FNW wrote:
The boys loved Thomas and Friends when they were that age. Now they cringe. LOL My mom saw a large truck hauling the Thomas Engine on I-10 going across the country last week. She got a picture of it for the boys. They did smile though.

Freeze Dance is always a good one to engage the kids if they get out of control. Also helps get the wiggles out in an organized fashion. Good to keep in mind if they start to fight among themselves.

Is Freeze Dance like Musical Chairs?

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
You could ask her parents how they substitute cheese and what they use.
The dairy free person is the mom of 2 of the guests. She simply doesn't eat cheese in her day-to-day life.
I'm making her dairy free cupcakes since the main cake won't be dairy free.
Oh. It's an adult and it's a choice, not an allergy?
I wouldn't wouldn't worry too much about it then.
As long as you have other things for her to munch on, she should be fine without a grilled cheese sandwich.

Wow! What did I say that gave you the impression it was a choice and not an allergy?
It's an allergy. As throat-closing, hives, swelling.
And no, I accommodate my guests' allergies. Part of being a good hostess, imo.

Good grief! I misunderstood! Excuse me!

chef · Guru

Lawyerlady wrote:
chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
You could ask her parents how they substitute cheese and what they use.
The dairy free person is the mom of 2 of the guests. She simply doesn't eat cheese in her day-to-day life.
I'm making her dairy free cupcakes since the main cake won't be dairy free.
If she is the mom of the guests, I wouldn't worry about it. Have a veggie tray and a fruit option and be done. She likely eats before coming to these things and doesn't really on kid party food.

I have the veggie tray covered. Bell pepper veggie trains. Probably will have some grapes too.

She's not the only guest with an allergy. I have one that's allergic to black pepper and another that's allergic to shellfish and cinnamon. I don't making sure they just as many options as the people without allergies.

chef · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
You could ask her parents how they substitute cheese and what they use.
The dairy free person is the mom of 2 of the guests. She simply doesn't eat cheese in her day-to-day life.
I'm making her dairy free cupcakes since the main cake won't be dairy free.
Oh. It's an adult and it's a choice, not an allergy?
I wouldn't wouldn't worry too much about it then.
As long as you have other things for her to munch on, she should be fine without a grilled cheese sandwich.

Wow! What did I say that gave you the impression it was a choice and not an allergy?
It's an allergy. As throat-closing, hives, swelling.
And no, I accommodate my guests' allergies. Part of being a good hostess, imo.
Good grief! I misunderstood! Excuse me!

An allergy doesn't become a choice just because the person is an adult. As someone with an obscure allergy, it bothers me when people make a choice and call it an allergy just as much as it bothers me when someone assumes it's a choice rather than a real allergy.

Vette · Owl drink to that!

I didn't get that it was an allergy out of what you posted. You made it sound like a lifestyle choice

-- Edited by VetteGirl on Wednesday 12th of October 2016 04:40:31 PM

chef · Guru

VetteGirl wrote:
I didn't get that it was an allergy out of what you posted. You made it sound like a lifestyle choice

-- Edited by VetteGirl on Wednesday 12th of October 2016 04:40:31 PM

"Birthday cake (regular) + dairy free cupcakes (one guest has a dairy allergy)"

smile

I wish it was only a lifestyle choice for her. Her reaction to dairy is life-threatening.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
You could ask her parents how they substitute cheese and what they use.
The dairy free person is the mom of 2 of the guests. She simply doesn't eat cheese in her day-to-day life.
I'm making her dairy free cupcakes since the main cake won't be dairy free.
Oh. It's an adult and it's a choice, not an allergy?
I wouldn't wouldn't worry too much about it then.
As long as you have other things for her to munch on, she should be fine without a grilled cheese sandwich.

Wow! What did I say that gave you the impression it was a choice and not an allergy?
It's an allergy. As throat-closing, hives, swelling.
And no, I accommodate my guests' allergies. Part of being a good hostess, imo.

I'm thinking the bolded sentence above. "She simply doesn't eat cheese" makes it sound like a choice. Regardless, that was Lily's first question.

I know what to do_sometimes · Frozen Sucks!

chef wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
You could ask her parents how they substitute cheese and what they use.
The dairy free person is the mom of 2 of the guests. She simply doesn't eat cheese in her day-to-day life.
I'm making her dairy free cupcakes since the main cake won't be dairy free.
If she is the mom of the guests, I wouldn't worry about it. Have a veggie tray and a fruit option and be done. She likely eats before coming to these things and doesn't really on kid party food.
I have the veggie tray covered. Bell pepper veggie trains. Probably will have some grapes too.
She's not the only guest with an allergy. I have one that's allergic to black pepper and another that's allergic to shellfish and cinnamon. I don't making sure they just as many options as the people without allergies.

Now you see? I bet LL gasped when she read these bolded words.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

I'm sorry, chef. I really did misunderstand what you posted.

chef · Guru

I know what to do_sometimes wrote:
chef wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
chef wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
You could ask her parents how they substitute cheese and what they use.
The dairy free person is the mom of 2 of the guests. She simply doesn't eat cheese in her day-to-day life.
I'm making her dairy free cupcakes since the main cake won't be dairy free.
If she is the mom of the guests, I wouldn't worry about it. Have a veggie tray and a fruit option and be done. She likely eats before coming to these things and doesn't really on kid party food.
I have the veggie tray covered. Bell pepper veggie trains. Probably will have some grapes too.
She's not the only guest with an allergy. I have one that's allergic to black pepper and another that's allergic to shellfish and cinnamon. I don't making sure they just as many options as the people without allergies.
Now you see? I bet LL gasped when she read these bolded words.

I did too, honestly. Especially with pumpkin pie season coming up. I love cinnamon. I'll have to be extra careful when making Fall treats for her.

chef · Guru

lilyofcourse wrote:
I'm sorry, chef. I really did misunderstand what you posted.

It's ok :)

I was just taken aback at the notion that it's not an allergy if an adult has it.

It doesn't help that I really hate the people that claim it's allergy when it isn't. I don't care if someone doesn't like a certain food or prefers to avoid it. Just don't say it's an allergy.