Shh... It's a Surprise! Or so I hope!

So I have also decided to throw one more party this year. A surprise party for my hubby Fred. Last time I did a party for him was 5 years ago, the year Noah was born. After his party he proposed to me. So sweet! It was a small party but he loved it. He loves UFC so I'm going to do his party on the night of the fight, 2 weeks before his actual birthday. It is so strange not being able to talk about the party with him. I am a little worried that he may know though. Yesterday I asked him to invite one of his friends to our house for the UFC Fight. I said something like he has to come. He chuckled, I may be paranoid but I felt like he knew. I have only told a few friends and my older boys. I know they didn't tell him?! I did order the invites using the pay-pal. Maybe they sent a receipt, and he went into the account to see what I ordered?! Hmm... I hope he doesn't know, I'm 99% sure he doesn't read my blog, so I'm safe here!
I ordered his cake from the same bakery as Noah's. I ordered a vanilla cake with fresh strawberries and cream. It going to look like the UFC octagon. I'm having the cover it in white butter cream with the logo and a black cage out of fondant.
I'm having so much fun planning 2 parties!
Here is his invite-

The back side says- Your invited to the most fabulous party of the year! Lets get ready to rumble! Shh... It's a surprise. He knows we are having a party but not that he is the main event!

Race Car Party Update

So my mil cannot make the cake after all. I ended up ordering it from a bakery. I have never bought a cake from anywhere but the grocery store. It smelled so yummy when I was there ordering. I can't wait to see how it turns out. I actually ordered 2cakes for the party. Noah really wanted his own personal cake, so they are making him a race car shaped red velvet cake with fondant. For the big cake I chose a 2 tier buttercream cake- top layer is red velvet and the bottom is oreo cookie. They are doing the track aroung the bottom cake. The cake topper is going to be a trophy made out of rice crispie treats and fondant.
I found a great deal on taco catering so I probably will do that for food. Yum! Tacos, rice, beans, chips and salsa. The kids don't really care about the food at a party, but the adults do, so what is better than a hot fresh cooked meal!
I ordered the invitations and hired a photographer.

Cake problem solved. Now Food?

The party is now 2 months away!
We'll my cake problem is solved! Hooray! My mil is moving back from Vegas!!! I know she could do a great cake for the theme!I just have to ask her. I'm also going to buy or make cupcakes for my candy bar. I found these sugar race cars.


Now I am trying to figure out food. I was going to take gable boxes and make lunch boxes. Sandwiches, chips, and juice. Thought it would be quick, easy, and affordable, but now I am thinking about hot dogs! I found this great place that cooks bacon wrapped hot dogs. YUM! Noah would like that a lot more than a boxed lunch. Just not sure if I want to spend that much more.

Cake for Noah's Race Car Party

I'm going crazy over Noah's cake. Should I make? Should I buy? Should it be a cake? Cupcakes? Both? Aghhh....
This was simpler when my mother in law was making them. I'm a pro at cupcakes but I haven't figured cakes out yet. I can bake them but they never look right when I try to decorate them!
We went into Cinderella Cakes last weekend and sampled their cakes. I took Noah and Abie. They loved them, especially the red velvet. So they can do the cake, but it is a little more than I would like to spend.
I love Susie's cakes in Newport Beach. They are an old fashioned style bakery so they couldn't do anything fancy with fondant. Another issue is the drive. Not sure I want to be driving to Newport the day of the party.
To save money I thought maybe I could make a cake and cupcakes. Now I am rethinking that decision.
I found an easy cake to make on familyfun.com and tried it today. I see why the bakeries charge so much. To make the cake look like a race track, you have to cover it in sprinkles. My kitchen is a disaster. It doesn't look all that great. And all those sprinkles do not taste good.
Aghhh...
To be continued...

My floor is a mess

Donavan's 10th Birthday Party 2008

So for Donavan's 9Th birthday we did a surprise reptile party. So the next year we unsure of what to do, so we did it again. The reptile show was a hit except that after the show the kids were bored. My friend Dani grabbed a toy guitar and we played a game of hot potato to entertain them. I learned that party that if you do a party with an hour show and don't get a jumper, you must have other things planned!

Kathie's Baby Shower 2009

Last year me and some friends threw a country western themed shower for Kathie. We found the baby only wearing a diaper, boots and a hat and knew that would be cute. Kathie loves country music too, so two of the girls made a country song CD for everyone to take home. They put country songs about motherhood or babies etc on it.
To keep it simple for food we did a chili/baked potato bar. I found these cute cactus glasses at the dollar tree to use for the chili. Party city has great western themed plates and napkins.
We all hung an item on baby clothing on a clothes line for decoration. I thought the bright blue and red colors were so pretty for this shower.

Sammy's 2ND Birthday at the Zoo 2010

We celebrated my son Sammy's 2ND Birthday at the zoo. It was so fun. Pizza hut delivered pizza to the zoo. For food we also did pasta salad, fruit, chips, dip and soda.
Everyone got tickets for the train ride. I filled bright buckets with animal crackers and other goodie. My mil made the a very cute cake. This was a great party with lots of friends and family there. Fred's Dad, his wife, his sisters, brother, along with their families all came from Utah!

Dani's Sweet Baby Shower! 2010

I threw a shower for my good friend Dani this year, I did a whole blog about it, but decided to add it here too. It was candy themed and so fun to plan!
We'll the shower was awesome, if I do say so myself. It was a beautiful day and Dani really loved everything. She had her baby on June 10 (day before my birthday!) I actually met him on my birthday. His name is Brayden and he is perfect.
Here is a look back on the shower...
Hubby went to Las Vegas the week of the shower and took our little boys with him. That made throwing the shower so much easier.
Here is the me and the girls that planned the shower (minus DeLacey, she was sick and did not come), plus Dani.

Noah 1ST Birthday, Bear Party 2006

So while planning Noah's 5Th birthday I decided to take a look back at his first birthday. I almost cried when I looked at the pictures, time flies!
So Noah's nickname is Bear, so for his 1ST, I had to do a Bear theme.
I had the same company that brought my storks, bring out bears for the lawn. It was so cute and all the kids loved posing with them.
I had Ralph's make the photo cake. I made the cupcakes and topped them with teddy grahams.
I hired a clown to entertain the kids. Noah was kinda scared of her and only let her paint a balloon on his arm.
Here are some pics off the day