As we mentioned for a hot minute back in this post, Clara picked her party theme this year. What does she love more than monkeys, ice cream, firetrucks, and the mailman? Worms.
So the first thing on the party agenda was settling on a date (this Saturday the 12th, two days before her actual b-day on the 14th) and figuring out the guest list (our closest family and friends totaling about 30 people, ten who are kiddos under the age of four). Then it was the fun part. Invitations! We made three versions of them before picking our favorite (yes, making invitations is our idea of a good time). For the first one we used some shots from her 22 month photoshoot and although we loved the shapes and the fabric and that cute smile, it just didn’t have any worminess.
So we played around some more and came up with this guy, who runneth over with worminess:
As cute (and worm-ish) as we thought it was, we just kept playing around (yes, we’re nerds, and we only get to do it once a year) and came up with this more graphic – and just as wormy – alternative:
Third time was the charm. Yes, we made chevron worms (maybe worms are the new chevron?). Of course we thought any of the options above would be great (and some folks might prefer #1 or #2 more), but we just loved those three little worms inching their way onto the number two with our smily girl in the middle of the number and the promise that “there will be worms.”
So we ordered just enough to send out to our crew, and even saved $15.77 thanks to googling around for a Winkflash coupon code:
It ended up being $1.58 per invite including an envelope ($28.54 for eighteen 5 x 7″ invites on matte card stock – not photo paper). Which isn’t pennies, but definitely was a nice discount from the original price of $2.19 per invite. As for why we went with Winkflash, we used them for last year’s invite and were really happy with them. A lot of services offer templates for folded cards but it’s hard to find postcard-ish offerings that are completely blank (so you can upload your entire design without them putting a frame or some type around it).
And when they arrived? Love! They do such a good job- no weird printing lines or cheap-o feeling – we liked going with the larger size (5 x 7″) and the thick matte card stock paper. So that’s probably more than you’ve ever wanted to know about a two year old’s party invitation, huh? Haha.
But now for the party deets. Of course we’ll be back with a post after this weekend’s festivities, but just like last year, we thought a little sneak peek of our supplies might be fun (here’s last year’s). This is our table o’ stuff, some of which we had around already, like the yellow napkin dish ($2 from a thrift store a few years back!) and the fabric banner I sewed for Clara’s first birthday (we’ll re-use the runner I sewed too) along with a paper one I made for that party as well and some cute bird napkins we grabbed from Ikea about a month ago (birds like worms, right?). Some of the stuff is new of course, like the plates, worm-ish candles, some balloons and streamers, some paper lanterns, etc (all hailing from Party City or Target).
Oh and see that pink arrow in the top left corner of the picture above? It’s pointing to this ice tray that we picked up at Ikea last month, because we thought we could even make some worm-ish ice. Or fill it with jello and make little jello worms.
So that’s on the agenda along with blowing up some polka dot balloons and some worm ones too (there is close to zero actual worm paraphernalia at Target and Party City, so when we saw worm balloons we couldn’t believe it).
As for all of the worm-related ideas, here’s what’s on our crazy brain dump list:
- Make pipe cleaner worms to hide outside for a worm hunt
- Make a grass runner with gummy worms (or plastic worms) on it
- Collect paper towel rolls for some sort of worm craft…
- Use streamers taped in little swags to look like worms (maybe across the beams in the living room and out on the patio somehow)
- Serve apples with a gummy worm coming out and other worm-ish snacks
- Cut peppers, cucumbers, and cheese into worm-like sticks and serve with dressing (worm crudité? how fancy)
- Skewer grapes or other sliced fruit onto straws (less pokey for the kiddos than skewers)
- Worm pizza (we’ll serve regular pizza for adults but put some cooked spaghetti on the slices for the kids)
- Worm dogs (these are just hot dogs, haha, but we could make ketchup or mustard eyes and a smile)
- Make white frosted cupcakes with oreo “dirt” sprinkled on top with a gummy worm (we thought about “dirt cake” or “dirt pudding” in a mason jar but it’s just too messy and hard to eat for all the 2-3 year olds)
- Worm jello (we could just toss some gummy worms into jello sort of like a jello mold but instead of fruit it’s worms…)
Who knows what we’ll end up doing (definitely not everything!) but it’s fun to write down a bunch of things to see which ones stick. Oh and check out the favors I love so much that I assembled them a full week before the party. Nerd alert.
One of Clara’s favorite things to play with outside is our watering can (filling it with leaves, rocks, sticks, you name it) so when we saw cute green ones at Ikea for 99 cents we grabbed one for each kid (hoping they’ll like them just as much as our girl does). Then in the toy aisle we came across tiny stuffed worms for 49 cents each! Just kidding, they were snakes, but we cut off the pointy red tongues and voila: happy little worms. We also tossed a bottle of bubbles in each watering can along with an orange or pink scoop from Target (50 cents each). Brown tissue paper (aka: dirt) finished things off and gave us a spot to stick our scoops full of worms. We’re so excited for Clara to see hers. We’ve been hiding them all (I made them during a nap and stashed them all in the guest room) so it should be a pretty good time when she realizes that everyone gets a watering can, bubbles, a scoop, and a worm of their own at her party.
Oh and look at these candles we found at Tar-jay. Wormy, right?
This = a typical trip to Target. We thought grabbing two outside balls for kids to play with on the patio might be a good idea. And of course Clara picked her two favorite colors (orange and pink – which are one of the reasons we picked those colors for things like her invitations and her streamers).
So that’s the deal with party planning. The basic gist is that I’m wishing we bought one more watering can, scoop, and stuffed snake worm so I’d get one of my own. I’m totally 30 going on 2.
Any party prep going on for you guys? Do you have any tips for keeping it simple and fun? We generally like to order food (something inexpensive but crowd-pleaser-ish, like pizza) so we’re not slaving over the stove all day. But cooking is my mom’s favorite thing, so she’d rather cook for thirty people and just grab ready-made invites. So there’s definitely more than one way to get your par-tay on. Can’t wait to share pics from this Saturday! And we’re building Clara something for her b-day. Something big. Ok, I’ll just tell you – it’s a dollhouse!!!!!!
So excited to share the breakdown with you guys when it’s done (as expected, we’re just getting started so we’ll be working overtime!). And now for the general trite mom statement (but it’s painfully true). Oh my gosh, how is my baby two already??? Dude, she was just turning one like three months ago.
Psst – You know $herdog loves her some Eminem, Snoop, Dre, and Biggie, but the new Karmin CD is uh.mazing. Seriously. Anyone else in love? I’ve been “YouTube in love with them” for a while (since this) and adored when they were on Ellen. Their new songs make me want to finish that dollhouse double-time (while pausing for a few obligatory dance breaks).
Amanda says
The dollhouse is a wonderful idea! My grandfather made me a dollhouse when I was 4, I still have it and it’s truly one of my most cherished possessions.
I thought my grandmother was a genius because she used carpet and tile samples for the flooring. The best part is a miniature family portrait of my family hanging in a frame over the fireplace. Clara will be so happy with her birthday gift!
YoungHouseLove says
So much fun! I totally want her to have a cork floor or two!
xo,
s
Katie says
I am trying to make a inviation for my daugther’s second birthday party. We are doing hungry caterpillar because she loves the book and stuffed caterpillar!! I want something creative for her invite not all the typical ones you find on etsy. Did you use photoshop to make hers?? How do you make all the different designs? HOw did you do the chevron worms?? Sorry for all the questions just new to photoshop!
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, we used Photoshop! As for the worms, we just used a letter W and drew a face on it and then duplicated that layer and used the paint dump tool to make them different colors and just tiled them in that pattern. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Gaylene says
I found this catapillar craft and thought of you! You could make these into worms. I think a 2-yr-old could totally do this! I love the party theme–and your favors are too cute!
Gaylene says
Forgot to add the link! Sorry
http://scatteredthoughtsofasahm.blogspot.com/2012/05/kid-craft-clothespin-caterpillars.html
YoungHouseLove says
That’s adorable!!
xo,
s
Liz M. says
those favors are too freakin’ cute, i want one too! hope the party goes well! :-)
Ashley says
Oh, how awesome is this party going to be!!! Too cute. I love all of the details and honestly love the third invitation the best of all of them. Awesome job!!!
Becky says
As a chevron lover, your invite is the CUTEST!!! I love it! What a fun party theme. I hope my little guy has a ‘favorite’ thing we can use for his 2nd birthday. Right now it’s water, but man that is going to be tough to swing in December…hope he find something else soon. :)
kristin says
My little one is a month behind your daughter, so that means I am party planning. We’re going with an Elmo theme, and will probably keep it very low key – some balloons, rings, and plates/cups. I like the fruit skewer idea. Will also have a fish bowl full of goldfish crackers (might even buy a gold fish).
We’re having to do it early in the morning because of the heat (at a local park), so we’ll probably just do fruit and bagels. Otherwise we would have done pizza too.
I keep reminding myself to keep it simple, but then it gets bigger and bigger… have fun!
Chris Wilson says
OMG I loved this post and laughed when I saw so did 745 others!! I just told my husband how I’m not the only one who obsesses over party favours and the invites ;) Love it! One year for my son turning 5 we had 2 pirate ship pools with water guns on them and then gave all the kids a bubble sword and they had a blast playing pirate splashing and having a good water fight. Of course there was treasure boxes, hats, swords, etc…a great theme! I am working on my daughter’s 4th and am inspired by your creativity…was thinking of rainbow but maybe I can be more creative…okay too long!
YoungHouseLove says
That’s such a fun theme! I bet the kiddos had a blast! And a rainbow sounds adorable and fun too!
xo,
s
MJB says
Nancy Carlson, the picture book author and illustrator, posted a worm doodle on her blog this week “Worms are cool.” http://blog.nancycarlson.com/?p=3265 I see this on your gallery wall. She sells her doodles, I think.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- that’s adorable!
xo
s
Angela says
Did you all see this on Apartment Therapy? http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/best-kids-parties-dirt-my-party-171039 It has some really cute dirt-themed party stuff that might translate well to a worm party.
YoungHouseLove says
Adorable!!
xo,
s
Jennifer says
I don’t know if either of you ever read the “Busytown” books by Richard Scarry as kids, but I always liked them and my sons have enjoyed them too. There’s even a cartoon I’ve caught before and my sons love to watch. One of the main characters just happens to be a worm – who drives an apple: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowly_Worm- Sorry if somebody else suggested this already, but I thought it might be a series Clara would enjoy!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, so cute!!
xo,
s
Christine says
Not sure if anyone else mentioned this, but my 2y.o. son has a Lowly the worm stuffed animal from Busytown. We got it at toysrus. They also had a bunch of figurines and games at nordstrom over Christmas. Toysrus might have more stuff now. It’s based on the book Richard Scarry’s Busy, busy town. I remember reading it as a child too. So adorable! Lowly rides around in an apple car. Clara would love it! Also I just remembered that they do have some Busytown party stuff in the birthday express catalog or birthdayexpress.com. Probably too late now but they have a giant piñata with lowly in his apple car. Happy birthday Clara!
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds so cute!!
xo,
s
Jen says
Not sure if this is timely enough – but saw cute grape “caterpillar Kabobs” on pinterest. Looks like cream cheese/frosting with mini choc chips stuck in for eyes – using green grapes! super cute! could totally be called worms instead! you can just search “caterpillar kabobs” and it comes up.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, they’re so cute!
xo,
s
Ali says
Ok. Totally not house related…but would y’all consider doing a worm chevron tutorial? That is totally cute!
Hope her birthday is worm-tastic!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Ali! We just used photoshop to make a W and then put a face on it to make it a worm and duplicated that layer a bunch of times and then tiled then to make the zig-zag pattern. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Marissa says
Just catching up on my blog reading and saw cute Clara talking about worms. Super cute and now thanks to reading about wiggly worms and also knowing your love of all things rap/hip-hop I can’t seem to get these lyrics out of my head “i wanna see you wiggle it, just a little bit…” maybe there’s a birthday party remix cd in her future :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahaha, I love it.
xo,
s
Megan says
Happy birthday to Clara, and myself, we share the same birthday! Except I was born in 1990 lol..
YoungHouseLove says
Wahoo! Happy early birthday!
xo,
s
Baronica says
Happy Birthday Clara!! From a May 12th birthday girl too!!
YoungHouseLove says
Happy b-day Baronica!
xo,
s
maribel says
Cant wait to see how the party turned out…I have an off topic question only because I wasn’t sure where to post my question. I’m a little behind in the O-R-G department. Tonight I started going thru stacks of wedding, baby shower cards, kid b day cards (my son is 3 years old), and baptism cards. I decided to frame some favorites instead of having them stored.
In your case how do you deal with sentimental stuff..Do you have a box for that stuff. What is worthy saving for you?
YoungHouseLove says
Our rule is that we try to display a lot of what is worth saving (instead of hiding it in a box) so it might be framed on the wall or photographed and stuck in an album or framed- it also could be just placed on a bookcase (like a favorite sentimental object might be). We do have one shoebox of sentimental things that are tucked away- just favorite mother’s day cards and old ticket stubs and stuff like that. Once it gets full we weed it out so it’s always full of just out favorite things- and there’s no second shoe box allowed. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jaclyn says
Ohmigosh this party sounds like it is going to be ADORABLE. I want a worm party for my next birthday! LOL. Quick question – did you design the invites in Photoshop and then upload the whole thing to Winkflash, or did you do the entire invite on Winkflash? They’re so cute (the chevron worms just slay me) and I’m starting to think about baby announcements, but Winkflash just seems to have design templates (makes sense), so I was wondering how you did yours. Thanks, and happy birthday to Clara!
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, we designed the whole thing in Photoshop and just uploaded that jpg to Winkflash (using their blank template so we didn’t have their words, borders, or designs on our image). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kacey says
Ha! I was just imagining Clara on her 30th birthday in front of a fabric backdrop saying, come on mom, not again. Seriously though, I’m sad that I never got around to taking these pictures for my daughter’s first year. They’re such a wonderful keepsake!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I know right? We’ll be stopping in at her college to take her monthly picture.
xo,
s
Kimberly says
I forgot me and Miss Clara share a birthday! Happy Early Birthday!!
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks! Happy early birthday to you!
xo,
s
Jenn @My Southwestern Life says
I’m 21 years old and I’m freaking out over how cool this party looks. I’m also really excited to see the dollhouse!
PennySmith says
Ok, can’t find my original comment (about gettin’ on having another one)… Since I arm new to your blog, I am still catching up… And found your birth story. Ya link everything else up-ya could have linked me! :0) Makes more sense when you told you HAVE to wait! And not like a stranger will give you any comfort, but I was a doula… And had premature rupture (not as exciting) the first one, and a completely opposite experience with my second birth (a 10# 2oz water birth). You can go over every scenario and something unexpected can still arise. Here’s praying the unexpected is a natural, uneventful birth. And be sure to research the affects of stress hormone on developing babies neurology. It will help you chill! I promise. :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks PennySmith!
xo,
s
Kim says
I was wondering how long ago you bought the pink and orange dot plates? I saw them a while back at Target (I think) and wanted to use them for a baby shower, but now I can’t seem to find them.
YoungHouseLove says
Just a few weeks ago. They were in the party aisle if that helps- with all sorts of other cute plates and napkins!
xo,
s
Olivia says
Quick Winkflash question: Did they print any kind of logo on the back of the invitations? I’m considering using them, but I don’t want any mention of their company on the final printed pieces.
YoungHouseLove says
I think there was a very small signature on the bottom corner of the back- very subtle and not giant and crazy. You can pay extra to have it removed but we didn’t mind it!
xo,
s