Olivia's 6th Birthday Party -- Mock Sleepover

My 6 year old, Olivia asked for a sleepover for her 6th Birthday Party........and there was NO WAY she was getting that.....especially with her list of 13 girls.    I finally convinced her to go for a "Mock Sleepover"....with all the fun stuff of an actual sleepover...BUT everyone goes home to their own beds when the fun is over!  She loved the idea.....and I ran with it!

This was actually one of my favorite party ideas yet -- and we've had some great "home parties" in the past, which I will have to blog about some day.  I just love home parties and I lucked out with 2 girls born in the warmer months of the late Spring and Summer.   Don't get me wrong, we had a Cookie Party for Olivia last year out at a bakery/party place....and it was WONDERFUL and I didn't have to a thing except show up with Olivia, my camera and my money......but I really enjoy entertaining, so home parties are right up my alley! 

To set the theme of the party....I made THESE invitations.  I got so many raves about them.....and I think they turned out pretty cute, if I must say so myself.    They are sleeping bags made of felt with card stock pillows that slide out with all the info about the party.  I did them in Olivia's favorite colors and the colors I'd carry through the party -- pink, purple, turquoise, lime green and orange.   And threw a "stuffed animal" OWL on them......to go with "night owl" theme!

All the girls (Did I mention we had 15 girls -- including my own 2) were asked to wear their pajamas, bring a sleeping bag and favorite stuffed animal.  When they arrived all their stuff was laid out in the living room........and off they went to play on the bounce house and on the swing set (part of the day was beautiful) and get to work on the activities I had set up for them! 

They decorated pillowcases..which was a HUGE hit!  And each girl signed a separate pillow case for Olivia......I got a GREAT deal on Amazon....20 large white cases for $35!  SCORE!   And they used fabric markers!

They also decorated book marks.......I got the pre-cut bookmarks (in different colors) from Michael's and hole punched them and tied ribbon through the hole!  Then set them up with colored pencils!
Another HUGE hit!

And all the girls got their fingernails and toenails painted.  I got a TON of different nail polishes....in colors I didn't even know existed and everyone had a blast!   We also had some fun party games.....set up inside for when it started to get dark and rainy.   We played "Hot Stuffed Animal" -- Just like "Hot Potato" but using a stuffed animal instead....all the girls sit in a circle on their sleeping bags and pass a stuffed animal to music.  When the music stops whoever had the animal is OUT.......but they didn't mind....the kids who were out did a Conga Line around the girls still in!  :)

We also played...."Which Stuffed Animal is Mine?"  All the stuffed animals the girls brought got thrown into a pile in the middle of the sleeping bags and mixed together......each girl took a turn wearing a sleep mask (of course).....and they had to figure out which one was theirs, by feeling through the pile of fluffy friends!

I served pizza and juice boxes......and also had little bowls of Teddy Grahams (little teddy bear cookies)and teddy bear, moon and star lollipops all around for them to snack on!  

And of course I made cupcakes (recipe to come)!    And on the cupcakes I made cupcake toppers (post to come later), but they were very simple, I put them together the night before and it only took me like 30 minutes)!  Just some colored card stock, toothpicks, glue and owl stickers!  I would've made them so much better, but I literally threw them together!

After cake....we ended with popcorn and a movie "Gnomeo and Juliet" and some snuggling before the parents came to pick up! 

And we can't forget the favors!  At 8:30 when all the little angels went home....they each got a favor box!
I spent a WHOPPING $8 on each kid and they came out adorable!  I founds pencil boxes at Michael's for $1 each.....and I decorated them with each child's name on it (using Sharpie Paint Pens).  And then stuck an Owl sticker on each one!

Inside each girl got -- everything you'd need for a sleepover!   A flashlight ($1 from The Dollar Store), a toothbrush and travel toothpaste ($1 from The Dollar Store),  a Hello Kitty mirror compact that turns into a hairbrush ($1 from Target), chapstick (I got 5 for $2 at Target),  nail polish and a glittery key chain nail file (each .50 cents), nail separators for their pedicures ($1 from Harmon's) and ADORABLE personalized bottle cap necklaces which I had made by a friend of mine....with OWLS on them and the first letter of each little girl's name (these were $1 for me.....but they are normally a little more expensive, but sooo worth it).

Closeup of the necklaces.......TOOOOO CUTE!  I got some plain (non-personalized) in case I got some late RSVPers!

I have gotten so many compliments on this party......and was so glad we did this theme!  I am hoping to do it again for my little one when she gets older!  
HAPPY 6th Birthday, Olivia!!! (She obviously was on sensory overload!  HA HA)

~Gianna~

Recipe Swap #6 -- DESSERT!

I'm not a huge fan of dessert.....and as my oldest says, "You don't have a sweet tooth, you have a salty tooth" and she's right.  I really don't like chocolate and there are only a few ways I'll eat it...with peanut butter, with anything where chocolate isn't the main flavor, or in cookies.....oh and I LOVE Ghirardelli brownies.    And I don't like anything with fruit in it.....like apple pie, lemon desserts, etc.   AND I don't really like cooked nuts of any kind.   I am weird....and I can admit that! 

Sooooooo I was so excited when I got my recipe swap recipe......S'Mores Bars!  THIS was a perfect recipe for me, AND it fitts all of my (crazy) dessert rules.    I decided to make them during Olivia's birthday week for her dance class party (yes, when you have children you have to have "birthday parties" with everyone).   It was a win-win-win for everyone......my recipe would be made on time, I could taste it and love it, and then I could give them all away so they don't sit in my house for me to taste s'more, s'more, s'more!  I kept the recipe exactly the same!

The S'mores Bars recipe is from Lishie over at DeLish!.    And that's exactly what these bad boys were....DELISH!!!!   So easy to make too...one of those recipes that my kids could help out with, without getting in the way (which is always an added bonus) and one that everyone could enjoy!   Everyone in Olivia's dance class loved them, I loved them and my family loved them!  I plan on making it again soon for a BBQ I am having in a few weeks. This recipe will be kept around for a long time since finding one that meets my criteria is hard to find!  Plus it puts a little spin on an old, oooey, goooey, chocolatey, marshmallowy classic......perfect for a BBQ, a picnic, a beach trip or just a dinner party dessert!

Thanks Lishie!!!!!!

Lishie's S’Mores Bars


1 & 1/2 sticks butter, room temp.
2/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups crushed (food processor) graham crackers
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups chocolate chips
3 1/2 cups mini marshmallows

Pre-heat oven to 350°, grease or spray 13x9x2-inch baking pan (or two, 8x8 brownie pans).


Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. In a separate bowl, mix together crushed graham crackers, flour, and salt. Stir the graham cracker mixture into the butter/sugar/egg/vanilla mixture. Should become one, big crumbly clump.

Press about 1/2 cup or more, if needed, of the graham cracker mix over the bottom of the greased 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Sprinkle half (1 cup) of the chocolate chips on top. Sprinkle 3 cups of the mini marshmallows on top. Crumble, by hand, the rest of the graham cracker mix on top. Sprinkle last 1/2 cup of the mini marshmallows on top and finally, sprinkle the rest (1 cup) of the chocolate chips on top.


Bake for 25-30 minutes or until brown.

ENJOY!

  
~Gianna~

Recipe Swap #5 -- Better late than never.....

I must apologize in advance to Melissa for taking so long to make and post about this recipe!   Every year the same thing happens right around the middle of May and continues til the end of June......  the circus comes to town..and it does, literally....but it also happens under MY big top (my usual one ring circus turns into a 3 ring)!    And it's the same every year since Olivia was in nursery school at age 3....

Teacher Appreciation luncheons,  Olivia's birthday (normally falls on Memorial Day Weekend) and she gets 3 parties....a school party, a family party and a friend party, PLUS this year we are having Ava's "fake" birthday at school b/c the poor kid gets screwed in the "school party dept" with a July birthday, spring concerts, dance recitals, end of year parties.....I can keep going, but I won't.....and then add a little (well BIG) stomach virus to the mix for all of us clowns.......here we are, like 2 weeks late in the recipe swap! 

The theme for the week's swap was "GRILLING" which is one of our favorite things to do!  Plus it allows Joe to help out with the cooking......he's the grill master of the house!   I was a little nervous for the swap because I don't eat much red meat at all.....but I was very happy with the pork tenderloin recipe I received!  THAT....I EAT.....And boy did I eat it.  It was delicious!  The recipe is from Melissa over at I Was Born to Cook and I've made a few of her recipes....she's never disappointed!     The tenderloin was yummy, full of flavor and smelled so good (even while marinating).  Both of my girls ate it which is a HUGE bonus and Joe and I loved it!  It was simple and something we will be keeping around under our BIG TOP!    The only thing I had to change was the cook time......maybe it was because we used an outdoor grill and cooked it on medium (I didn't want to burn it) but it took more like 10-12 minutes on each side!   Other than that I followed the recipe exact!    THANK YOU MELISSA!!!!  And so sorry again! 
I served it with rice and regular salad. 

Mom's Grilled Pork Tenderloin

1 boneless pork tenderloin (any size.....I used a 2 pound)
1/4 cup soy sauce (I use low sodium)
1/4 cup honey
5 garlic cloves, chopped
3 T. fresh ginger, minced

Combine all ingredients in a plastic bag and marinate for at least 4 hours.   I did mine overnight which made it so tender. 

Set grill to medium heat. When ready, place pork on grill and cook for approximately 20-25 minutes, flipping once halfway.  Mine was about 12minutes on each side!

~Gianna~

Sleepover Party Invitations for Olivia

One of the most exciting things in a little girl's life is deciding on a birthday party "theme".   This is something that Olivia starts planning on May 28th, the day after her last birthday........and of course like most little girls her ideas have changed throughout the year!  This past year wasn't any different....but she had finally settled on a "theme" and it was something I could get on board with...wellllll...kind of!  :)  She wanted to do a Sleepover...but the thought of 10-15 little girls sleeping at my house.  Let's also not forget those middle of the night phone calls and drives back home to Mommies and Daddies....because there is no place like home......

I was able to sway her to a "mock sleepover" and I'm glad I did!   With party date set and a VERY excited 5 (almost 6) year old......ideas started swirling thru my head!  I LOVE planning parties!!!!!   

First stop was invitations.......something creative........so I began my google search and stumbled upon these.....adorable invitations.  My only problem.....I DON'T SEW!!!!   But I am pretty crafty with the glue gun....so I set out to Michael's and got my supplies. 

Different colored felt, ribbon, stickers, glue sticks,  card stock and got right to work......and after a few hours I had 2 invites DONE!  Yes, they took awhile...and I had to make 14!   But I gave myself some time and was able to work on them a few different times.   And I actually had a great time doing them and I think they came out SUPER CUTE!   Going with the "Sleepover" idea we are trying to get "Night Owls" into the theme also...hence the owl "stuffed animals" on each sleeping bag!   The invites were done in the colors for her party....light blue, hot pink, lime green, light pink, orange and purple!  GIRLY AND FUN!

So how do you make these cute invites?

Here's What You'll Need.....
5x7 Card stock Note cards (any color is fine, but white is probably best)
4x6 Card stock Note cards (white)
Different Colored Felt (choose colors for the party)
Ribbon (again choosing colored ribbon you will use for the party)
Felt Stickers (really any kind of stickers will work......teddy bears would be cute too)
Scissors
Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
**You will also need larger envelopes if you are mailing these......and postage cost me 64 cents each!**

Here's What I Did....

On the felt, trace a 5x7 rectangle (using the note card)....cut out the shape and hot glue it to the note card the entire way around the card.  Make sure the glue is VERY hot...otherwise it won't stick. 

Trace another 5x7 square in a different color and cut it out.  Hot glue on top of the first piece, but this time you will only glue around the 2 sides and the bottom....leaving the top "free" of glue.

Fold the top over to create the sleeping bag look and hot glue it down. 

Cut a piece of ribbon and glue that on the folded over part of the sleeping bag. 

Attach a felt sticker onto the folded over part as well so it looks like the "stuffed animal" is on the sleeping bag. 

Either by hand or on the computer create the "pillows".  On white card stock......print:

Wear your PJs, slippers too. We’ll do all the things girls like to do!

Eat Pizza, ice cream, popcorn and cake, paint nails, play games and stay up late!

And when it’s time to go to bed, we’ll all go home to sleep instead!

And don't forget all the details.......WHO, WHEN, WHERE, and make sure you tell everyone to bring their sleeping bags, favorite stuffed animals and wear their pajamas!!!!

Cut the cards out into pillow shapes and slide them into the sleeping bags once they are dry!   Viola'...impressive invitations for a fabulous little girl!    I will post more details from the party as soon as it happens!  I have really been enjoying this party planning!!!! 

~Gianna~