https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 04:48:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2846016 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 06:34:02 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2846016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Hypatia: yes, those are available on the catering menu. I love those too! For this party I want more of a lunch menu.</p> <p>I know it’s super early to plan all this, but I’m excited and need to think everything through to utilize my “new” help. My dad used to help me execute dinners and parties. I have already jotted down wording ideas for siblings/ safe play/ parking. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2846004 Tue, 18 Sep 2018 00:15:19 +0000 Hypatia 2846004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you get a platter of CFA chicken minis? They're nuggets wrapped in a sweet bread. It's my favorite breakfast ever. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2846001 Mon, 17 Sep 2018 22:04:38 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2846001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Madison43: ha! Just read the fine print on the rental company. I doubt I have enough items to rent to meet the delivery requirement. I’m going to scour FB and see what I find.</p> <p>@Mommy Finger: I’m okay with lingering guests. We have the climbing gym and slide until 2 pm. The longer people stay the more they’ll eat up the finger food. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845863 Mon, 17 Sep 2018 12:38:46 +0000 Mommy Finger 2845863@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The only thing that I would add is that I've noticed that parties at the home never end when you think they will. :) Usually people are just hanging out and having fun so some things will take longer than they would at a party outside the home. For instance, my friend just had a party that started at 10 am. Per the invite, it was supposed to end at 12 and lunch and cake would be served. She didn't get lunch out until 11:30 since that was the flow of the party. So if you want things to end at a certain time, you'll need to keep things on track. If you're fine with things going long, no worries, just enjoy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845757 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 22:52:37 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 2845757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow! Lucky kiddo. When my daughter turned 3, we had 4 family members over and cake &amp; ice cream. Ha! I’m feeling a bit inadequate. :wink: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845756 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 22:20:34 +0000 peaches1038 2845756@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds perfect! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845736 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 18:46:06 +0000 Foodnerd81 2845736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: that schedule and menu sounds great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845732 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 17:55:32 +0000 meadow 2845732@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: gotcha!! That's awesome! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845731 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 17:54:23 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2845731@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Madison43: no, that was definitely an assumption on my part. I don’t know how many of LO’s friends are only children. For liability purposes I will have the unfront convo with all the parents that the activity is intended for smaller children. Although I’ll have stuff for the bigger ones to do I don’t plan to advertise it since this party is truly planned with LO in mind. If there’s more daycare related people it’s not a big deal, but certainly I’m going to try my best and get a firm headcount.</p> <p>For the OOT family, I plan to give them a Save the Date around Thanksgiving and that’s 11 adults. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845730 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 17:52:06 +0000 crazydoglady 2845730@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Sounds perfect! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845728 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 17:45:45 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2845728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>You all have been so helpful!!! I also reached out to LO’s God mom, she’s around kids all the time to tweak some details.</p> <p>Start time 10:00 am, hopefully wrapped up between noon-1 pm.</p> <p>Menu-<br /> CFA nuggets with CFA sauce, Sriracha, and Polynesian<br /> Fruit Tray<br /> Veggie Tray with Green Goddess dip<br /> Rainbow Goldfish<br /> Yellow &amp; blue corn tortilla chips with store bought Guac, homemade black bean &amp; corn salsa, and mix of storebought Pico de Gallo &amp; salsa (chunk it up a bit!)</p> <p>Vanilla birthday cake<br /> Sprinkle cookies*<br /> Chocolate chip cookies*</p> <p>*will also package for taking home too! Baggie with monster sticker.</p> <p>Party/ order activities<br /> - As people arrive: Sidewalk chalk, Temporary Monster tattoos, Slide for the LOs<br /> -Monster paperplate &amp; popsicle craft<br /> - -Chips &amp; Dip out, Lemonade w/ crazy straws/ booze out- -<br /> - Open garage door to Climbing Gym for LOs<br /> - Big kids can do Corn Holes and Twister (might even do this solely in the backyard)<br /> - Serve lunch (nuggets, fruit and veggie trays, Goldfish)<br /> - Slide “parade”<br /> - Sing Happy Birthday, eat cake<br /> - Play more, go home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845726 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 17:37:27 +0000 Madison43 2845726@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: one guest list question. Are you sure that only one daycare parent per child will attend? That could dramatically increase your headcount if 2 adults per kids (and maybe younger siblings came)? I have found that at that age, you tend to get the whole family at a party, as opposed to just one parent and one child. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845724 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 17:23:31 +0000 Foodnerd81 2845724@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I would rather include everyone in the neighborhood than potentially offend one of them- like the parents might understand why you didn’t include their older kids, but the kids might still be hurt. And parents will use their judgment about bringing older kids to a 3 year old bday party. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845715 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 16:16:03 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2845715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: </p> <p>If I invite everyone that I listed above from the different groups- coworkers, daycare friends, neighbors...</p> <p>22 kids, 14 would be age 3 or 4, the target for the gym and slide.</p> <p>20 adults, assuming 1 parent only for the daycare friends, assuming all family that would have to drive 5+ hours or fly would come.</p> <p>The list can be shaved down. For instance LO has only ever played with one of the neighbors although their are 5 kids that could potentially get the invite. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845713 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 16:06:12 +0000 DesertDreams88 2845713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: can't really tell from your original post, how many invited adults and kids? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845708 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 14:55:28 +0000 Foodnerd81 2845708@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I have been to two parties that has both cake and cupcakes (including my LO’s 5th bday) and the majority of the kids wanted the cake anyway. Mine was hectic because Dh ordered the pizzas for half an hour later than I said! </p> <p>If you personally would rather the chips and dip, and it’s not too much work for you, do that. Although you can’t go wrong with goldfish. We did the rainbow goldfish in the goody bags for our rainbow party. But for me I would have no problem doing blue and yellow corn chips with store made guacamole and jarred salsa and calling it a day. Veggies, yes adults will at least pick at or put on the side of the kids plates even if the kids won’t eat it anyway. And definitely fruit! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845707 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 14:44:52 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2845707@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@DesertDreams88: what would you tweak on the menu to reduce leftovers? </p> <p>CFA nuggets<br /> Fruit tray</p> <p>Chips &amp; dips could be subbed for Sun Chips and Gold Fish (I’m thinking of the serving dishes I have would accommodate both)</p> <p>The adults will eat the Veggie Tray, right? </p> <p>@Foodnerd81: pre-scooped was my plan :silly: You bring up a good point about having to slice and serve up cake quickly. I did have a thought to let LO blow out candles on a small smash cake and then serve cupcakes. We would have the cake for dinner. But, then do I buy cupcakes just for the kids or all the guests? The adults could have a cookie if they really wanted a sweet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845705 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 14:05:22 +0000 DesertDreams88 2845705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with the others about timing at age 3, you will have guests ages 2-4 it sounds like so a lot will still be napping 1-3, give or take an hour. So I would do 10-1, serving a lunch, and then menu can stay the same. </p> <p> I think your amount of food sounds fine as long as you guys are cool with eating the leftovers for lunch and dinner the next couple of days. Or be ready to send home some of the food at the end with family.</p> <p> I would ditch the word search, I don't think any kid would do it with all of the other options, which all sound great. I would keep the corn hole for adults and older kids. You need 2 to play. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845700 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 13:40:18 +0000 Foodnerd81 2845700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I just mean to pair down on what you have to do so you can relax and enjoy the party more. But I also know you love hosting and I’m pretty sure a casual get together for you is still a well thought out affair, not the thrown together stuff I end up with. </p> <p>So personally for me, I would cut back on what you need to do the day or the party. I opted not to get any helium balloons for our last party because I didn’t feel like dealing with that the morning of. Same for outside decorations- I tried to keep t to things I could put up the night before. So in your case, while I love the idea of balloons lining the driveway, I probably would run out of time. (Which is another reason people do like afternoon parties, but my kids are too grumpy in the afternoon so oh well). </p> <p>I agree with you on keeping the craft- I think that’s nice for kids to do when they arrive and are warming up and for when they need a break from running around. </p> <p>Does CFA deliver the nuggets hot or do you have to cook them? Make sure you have plenty of ketchup for the 3 year olds. </p> <p>Oh and i decided not to do ice cream because I didn’t feel like scooping it. It’s hectic enough cutting the cake fast enough. But I have seen on Pinterest where people pre scoop and freeze in cupcake trays to make t faster on the day of. </p> <p>It sounds like your LO will have a blast! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845699 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 13:31:44 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2845699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@meadow: no! An ad popped up on my Instagram feed and I crossed my fingers the company was local and they are!!</p> <p>@crazydoglady: ok, thanks I’ll omit the word search.</p> <p>@Jennibenni: thanks, that was my old favorite. One time I let LO dip in into and then he bypassed the chicken and just wanted to drink the sauce.</p> <p>@Madison43: Yeah, I definitely don’t want boo boos and tears. We don’t have to invite the coworkers and local family. 2/3 coworkers invites LO to their kids parties, the other coworker has not. The local family has not invited LO to their three kids’ parties, but I have a feeling if my FIL comes they will know about the party/ want to come. As for my neighbors, the one with three kids, I’ll let the mom know it’s really better suited for her youngest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845694 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 13:12:14 +0000 Madison43 2845694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree that for 3 year olds, a morning party is best. 10:30 am - 12:30 pm is usually the window around here - for that reason, I’d probably not buy a ton of alcohol (and we are definitely social drinkers). Even when I’ve served mamosas at that time, they are barely touched. When we do house parties, I always rent a bounce house and it’s a huge hit. A word of caution though - my girls and their friends are all very close in age (3 and 5) so the bounce house works. They can be brutal if the ages are mixed - little kids always end up crying and it can actually get a little dangerous. Also, for the party rentals, if you plan on having a lot of parties at home, you might want to consider buying a kids table and chairs. We bought an adjustable table on Amazon (it goes from a kids table to a regular height) and a bunch of mini folding chairs and it was cheaper than renting them, and we’ve used them a lot. I’ll figure I’ll just sell them whenever my youngest has outgrown the chairs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845691 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 12:57:55 +0000 crazydoglady 2845691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think the word search is necessary. I teach middle school and the kids won't touch them. Even older kids will love sidewalk chalk. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845690 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 12:55:26 +0000 meadow 2845690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh my gosh....do you own that gym equipment....it looks unreal!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845688 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 12:51:13 +0000 Portboston 2845688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This all looks amazing!!!</p> <p>Our friends all have youngish kids, most of whom still nap. All the parties we go to/have start around 3pm and it’s never a problem. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845680 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 12:08:53 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2845680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: wait, am I doing too much with the chips and dips? This was definitely more so for the adults as I figured the kids would eat the tortilla chips without the dip. Initially, I was thinking Sun Chips, but that’s the same color as the chicken. Goldfish is for sure a treat for LO, he’s had it school and twice with us because we had to get snacks from a vending machine. Man, he wouldn’t let me forget that he still had some left over. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845674 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 11:38:20 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2845674@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: hmm,</p> <p>LO will love the gym, we visit a train museum that has the same climbing train apparatus. He always comes home with something on his arm- I think they are stamps, so the temporary tattoo will be a hit. He gets a kick out of drinking from straws and the crazy straws would be new for him. He likes crafts, but if he had to choose between craft and playing on the gym he would choose the gym. My thought was to usher the kids inside for the craft before opening up the garage door to the gym. Their craft creations would then adorn the dining room for snack and cake making it even more festive in there- that’s a me thing.</p> <p>In terms of foods, the veggie tray is probably his least favorite. He’ll eat tomatoes all day long, but uses celery and carrots sticks as a vessel for the dip. I could skip ice cream altogether. He hasn’t been exposed to it that much and definitely doesn’t know that “cake &amp; ice cream” go together. </p> <p>For the older kids, what else could they do if I eliminate corn holes and the word search. The rest of the house and backyard will be open and available for guests to roam. I’d like to avoid older kids just sitting on our couch watching TV especially when we bring the party inside and no one thinks to turn it off and I am preoccupied and cannot do it myself.</p> <p>As for the decor the garage can get a way with just streamers.</p> <p>The booze definitely stay. Is vodka still good mixer with the lemonade at 10 or 11 am in the morning? The sidewalk chalk is NBD. I could create Twister dots with the chalk and the big kids could play that. Do you have some trim down ideas? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845670 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 10:51:32 +0000 Jennibenni 2845670@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This party sounds awesome! Polynesian for your third sauce for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845668 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 10:48:59 +0000 Foodnerd81 2845668@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I love those plate crafts! I think that’s a great idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845667 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 10:47:34 +0000 Foodnerd81 2845667@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For 3 year olds I definitely think a morning party works better. Nap times vary so getting to an afternoon party can be tricky. I would plan on serving lunch at 11:30 and having snacks/ apps out before. </p> <p>I also think you can definitely cut down on stuff. I’d think about what your LO will like the most, what you care about the most, and then trim down a little. This is coming from someone who tends to go a little overboard 😊 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/3rd-bday-help-me-plan#post-2845666 Sun, 16 Sep 2018 10:46:22 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2845666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If the craft project wasn’t “Wild Thing” there’s still lots of other paper plate monsters the kids could make. </p> [attach=3033/18/pf5nta.378x600.5C989001-22D9-49F6-9C7A-A65E671E6B5B.jpeg] [attach=3033/18/pf5ntb.428x600.52514DC5-69E0-4DB1-885F-0C16EAADB863.jpeg] [attach=3033/18/pf5ntd.600x400.10FA5E31-4CCD-476D-9F31-A86296FD0091.jpeg]