Let's talk Parties + A Winner

One of my favorite things to do is to plan parties.

For some people, throwing parties is stressful to them, but to me, it is theraputic!

It gives me a chance to use my creativity (which I don't get to use that much teaching math. Ha!)

I always jump at the chance to throw or host a party, whether it is a birthday party for my kids, a bridal or baby shower, holiday with family or a special get together with friends.

Today I am linking up with Andrea for her Show & Tell Tuesdays

"Show us your Favorite Party You've Hosted"

Well....I can't just pick ONE favorite party....I throw/host at least 5-6 parties a year (3 birthday parties a year, our annual 4th of July party, our annual Halloween Party, plus usually a baby shower or other party!)

 Because I can't pick just 1 favorite, here are my Top 12 favorite parties that I have thrown (in no particular order!)

{ONE}

Luke's Nautical 1st Birthday Party

This party was so special. It was the LAST 1st birthday party I will have ever thrown.

When I was pregnant with Luke (and with the girls) we didn't find out if it was a boy or a girl.

I remember being 5 months pregnant and seeing nautical decorations at Target.
  Since I was due in August and it would be a summer birthday, I decided right then & there if this  baby was a boy, he would have a Nautical/Sailboat first birthday party and I BOUGHT the party supplies (there is a peak into my crazy...buying party supplies for my unborn child's 1st birthday party not even knowing if it was a boy or a girl!)

I had so much fun with that party! See the rest of the party details HERE.

 {TWO}

 Claire's Cowgirl Party

This party was so much fun because since Claire's birthday was a few days after Labor Day, I had it on Labor Day weekend (our court usually has a Labor Day block party, so we just made Claire's party the block party) I invited our court, plus tons of Claire's friends & our families.

I rented 2 ponies for pony rides around the court.
I also rented hay bales for seating in our backyard.....this party was 3 years ago & the hay is finally gone! Ha! Kevin will never forgive me for all that hay :)
This might be my all time favorite party. Loved the Cowgirl Theme!
See more of Claire's Cowgirl Party HERE

 {THREE}

Cookies & Milk Baby Shower

 My younger sister's last name is Baker, so I told her if she ever had a baby girl, I wanted to throw her a Cookies & Milk Baby Shower...last name Baker...get it?

 Well, last year she found out that Baby #2 was a girl, so I started planning the Cookies & Milk Shower!

This shower was simple & fun. 

We had it in the afternoon & had appetizers & of course Cookies!

See more of the Cookie & Milk Baby Shower HERE

{FOUR}

 Kate's Pizzeria

I loved this party because Kate had so many ideas & plans for this party!

 

 Now that she is 8, she has big opinions on her parties & I love it!

The amazing cake my mother in law made!

See more of Kate's Pizzeria Party HERE.

{FIVE}

 Claire's Tangled Party

This party was magical. Claire had been asking for a Tangled party for a year.

I had Rapunzel come to the party, Claire's reaction brought tears to my eyes. It was awesome!

I had a yellow braid going through our entire downstairs:

The "hair" was strung throughout the downstairs:

Another awesome cake that my mother in law made:

See more of Claire's Tangled Party {HERE}

{SIX}

Kate's Nail Salon Party

This was held at a little nail salon in town that specializes in little girls parties.

Each girl got a mani & pedi.

I did light bites since it was a mani/pedi party.

See more of Kate's Nail Salon Party HERE.

{SEVEN}

Luke's Train Party- Choo Choo Luke is Two

 This party was so fun because Luke was (and still is) obsessed with trains!

The baggage claim was one of my favorite parts!See the rest of Luke's Train party details HERE.

 {EIGHT}

Favorite Things Party

I threw a Favorite Things Party 3 years ago during December.
The invite stated to bring 3 of your favorite thing costing that costs $10 or less.
I have seen Favorite Things Parties where you bring 5 of something costing $5 or less, but because our party was small (only 6 of us) we did 3 presents.
You go home with 3 new favorite things that your friends brought!

So much fun, I need to do this party again this December. I forgot how much fun it is!

See more of my Favorite Things Party HERE.

{NINE}

 Kate's Pancakes & Pajamas Party

 This party was very simple to throw!

Kevin made pancakes, the girls added their toppings & we did some crafts! 

See more of the Pancakes & Pajamas Party HERE

{TEN}

Pioneer Woman Potluck Party

I threw a Pioneer Woman Potluck Party in 2012 & 2013.

It's so fun. You get a group of girlfriends and each person brings a dish from Pioneer Woman (her cookbook or her website)

 Each person brought a PW dish & I had them email me what they were bringing so there were no duplicates.

 I love PW & so do my friends, so this is a great way to try a bunch of her recipes. 

We didn't do it last summer because of busy schedules, but I want to make sure we do it again this summer since it is so FUN!

 To see more of our Pioneer Woman Potluck Parties, click HERE 

{ELEVEN}

Claire's Candy Shoppe Party 

Luke was only 4 weeks old when I threw this party...I was still running on adrenaline from having a new baby. 

To see more of Claire's Candy Shoppe Party, Click HERE 

{TWELVE}

 Claire's Mermaid Party

My favorite part of this party was the "ocean" that I made out of blue streamers:

 Phew! There you have it....as you can tell, I really, really, really love parties!

So, there are my Top 12 favorites :)

That doesn't even include our Annual 4th of July Parties (click HERE to see those), our annual Back to School Feast Parties (click HERE to see those) and our annual Halloween Party (click HERE to see those).

You can click HERE to see all the parties I have thrown in the past 8 years, I have a Parties Tab.

I'm already working on Luke's 3rd Birthday in August...a Construction Party.
And, Claire asked for a Tea Party for her Birthday in September.
Let the party planning begin :)

Do you like throwing parties? I know it's not for everyone.

For some people, throwing parties is stressful to them, but to me, it is therapeutic & an outlet to use my creativity. 

I know my parties can be a little over the top, but I that is my present to my kids. I don't get them a present, their party is their present.  

My favorite type of party to throw is birthday parties for my kids. 

I know once they hit 10 years old, they won't be into big birthday parties, so I am savoring these years :)

Several of my friends don't like throwing parties, so they keep it simple!

Do what's best for you & your family....To each her own!

And to those of you who host slumber parties....my hat is off to you!

I know my boundaries...can't handle a sleep over party just yet. 

I love sleep too much ;)

+++++++++++++

The winner of the $100 Amazon Gift Card is:

Jessica J.

Leave a comment with your email to claim your prize!