https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:37:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2695142 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 20:58:28 +0000 808love 2695142@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: Youtube helped us a lot! I don't read directions carefully and need interpretation so we relied on multimedia and using the replay feature too many times to count. LO can probably do it if you are ok with being messy and imperfect. Being an outstanding artist, you probably made yours look simply beautiful! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2695138 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 20:54:51 +0000 irene 2695138@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@808love: Thanks and wow, I would like to know how to make an "easy" pinata! Everything takes forever with me. Maybe you will knock out that punch pinata in 2 hours :wink: And good for you that your LO is making everything at age 6! I wonder when that day will come for me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2694450 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 11:02:23 +0000 808love 2694450@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I love your artwork and the book series! For the first time, I made LO's pinata for her sixth birthday...well, she did most of it, I just had to blow up the balloon and cut the newspaper/ tissue paper strips! It was a pinata ice cream cone and it was much easier than I thought...and cheap! I really like the pinata punch idea for next year! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2694281 Thu, 09 Feb 2017 07:59:36 +0000 irene 2694281@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrs.shinerbock: Haha :) Check out the Baby Loves Quarks one which is already out - it talks about how quarks form protons, neutrons, then nucleus, atom, molecules. I learned so much drawing the books. They should carry it in any Barnes and Nobles.</p> <p>@ALV91711: Thanks! Yes I like a regular pinata too, just that I am not crazy about all the stuff that I have to stuff it with (mostly candy and junk that no parents want), and splitting between 6 kids it was just not very appealing. If I had 30 kids then that's a different story! I thought you can do a small pinata indoors? Just a lot of mess to clean up that's all :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2694236 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 22:18:48 +0000 ALV91711 2694236@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like a great party, you sure put a lot of work into it. I just looking you up on IG to see, and following you now. </p> <p>I love the punch pinata idea, might have to do that for DS for his bday in March. He really wants a pinata but the weather will not be good for that where we live. </p> <p>I do not like when people do not RSVP. Last year for our party two people out of 8 RSVP'd. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2694215 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 21:05:23 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2694215@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not to threadjack or anything, but OMG I did not know about the Baby Loves science books and now I have to have the thermo one. DH and I are both chemEs and had our thermo books in a few of our engagement photos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2694102 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 16:41:31 +0000 irene 2694102@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: aww thanks !</p> <p>@mrsbookworm: yes :heart: it is so surreal that people tell me they read the books. The 3rd and 4th are now available for preorder on amazon, and I am supposed to start sketching for the 5th one! I saw that you are a librarian- did you go to the ALA meeting? I was there signing the books :grin: </p> <p>@jhd: thanks and yes, tell me about it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2693903 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 14:10:22 +0000 jhd 2693903@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm glad your son had a good time! Thanks for sharing your Instagram. The pinata looked like a lot of fun and the party looked really beautiful.</p> <p>We have done parties for our LO at home with only family (both sets of grandparents, 4 cousins, aunts, and uncles) and I always end up with too much food. It's hard when you put in all that work and people don't eat much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2693888 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 13:59:06 +0000 mrsbookworm 2693888@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I just started following you on Instagram. I didn't know you were the illustrator of the Baby Loves series! I just read the Aerospace Engineering one today to my children. I find it funny that I said your name aloud to them and didn't realize I "know" you. Your work is beautiful! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2693833 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 13:08:51 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2693833@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: just started following you... gorgeous! :grin: you are really talented! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2693745 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 12:02:03 +0000 irene 2693745@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hellobeeboston: I know! We started the "home party" idea with the thought of a very low key, "play date" kinda deal, and it just got out of hand. I got stressed out and it is in my blood that I either don't do it or I have to make it perfect. I know the 5 years old could care less but it is an internal need for me lol. Argh. what's wrong with me.</p> <p>The bouncy house idea is super cool!! Only that the day of our party it was cold and rainy too (sucks to have a january birthday!). If I were to rent something like that, I'd triple my stress. Yes. I stress over nothing really. </p> <p>I threw away the food that's been out - eg. the trader joe's baked apertizers, the sandwiches with bananas I just thought they would turn brown and I didn't want to give them to DS the next morning, and I could only eat so much on the spot, so I just trashed them. Same with the hummus and spinach dip that was out for hours. Then a friend said she just recovered from the stomach flu and we didn't want to take the chances. I did keep all the fruits, veggies, cheese and bread, and we have been eating them since. But it was still a lot of waste.</p> <p>I also thought the no RSVP and not replying any of my emails was so odd and rude, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt that maybe they didn't get my email? They did tell their kid to tell DS they are coming but then they didn't show up. So I don't know. Maybe they got sick the last minute or something. The last time we were at a school thanksgiving party, it was the boy's nanny who showed up as the "family", not the parents. So I don't know how things work over there.</p> <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I know! Just that last time people were overwhelmingly saying I don't have enough food so I got scared and offer a lot of food. And I did post some pics on instagram @cenerie if you want to take a look .... I didn't post the pics and videos my friend took because it is a public account, but you can see the punch pinata :)</p> <p>@looch: good idea, so crazy and time consuming to make.I posted pics on FB, and then my friend commented, well I bought mine (a regular pinata) at toys r us and it took me 3 minutes. It's like someone knitted a sweater for their child and this other person say well I bought mine from walmart for $10. grrr.</p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: I did too but 60% of the things we put out came out of the oven, so we just put everything out for the baked goodies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2693689 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 11:10:38 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2693689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For parties I try to do a mix of foods that I prepare just for the party and a few things I can put half out and save the other half to put out only if we need it. Like goldfish! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2693679 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 11:03:48 +0000 looch 2693679@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: What is a punch piñata?</p> <p>eta: nevermind, I looked it up. that is a good idea, lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2693677 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 11:03:00 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2693677@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: aww man about the food!!</p> <p>Someone else not too long ago said she learned people don't really eat much at parties. The usual advice on here is have a lot of variety and a lot of it too. From the NY"E" party for 25 I hosted the big lesson I learned regarding food is make enough of one or two main dishes (serving per person) and anything extra 8 is enough. People nibble. </p> <p>The punch piñata still sounds really cool. I'd love to see the pics your friend took. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2693633 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 10:24:44 +0000 hellobeeboston 2693633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>haha, you sound like you went through an ordeal... i think you might have placed a lot of unnecessary stress on yourself for a small party with only 6 other kids! It's supposed to be fun! Not pinterest-photoshoot-ready! ;)</p> <p>Kids that little don't really care as long as there are snacks and some fun things to do. Even going to a new kids house is fun for them at that age because they can play with all new toys.</p> <p>We had my son's 4th birthday at our house and just rented a bouncy house which was entertainment for a big portion of the time... Of course it rained on the party day and we ended up with 10 crazy kids in the house, but they still bounced outside in the rain for quite a while ;)</p> <p>Why did you throw so much food away? Couldn't you guys have eaten some of the leftovers? Maybe not some of it from sitting out I guess... always better to have more food than needed, but it does suck to throw a bunch of stuff out. After lunch is a tricky time, snacks are usually sufficient...</p> <p>and, i hate when people don't RSVP - SO RUDE. that happened with one kid from my son's class and I just thought it was very weird. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2693541 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 08:54:16 +0000 irene 2693541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: Thanks and Yes he did! I was so proud of him. He spent days building this lego fire station, the birthday gift he got from DH (his real birthday was on tuesday, party on sunday), but it was DESTROYED by his friends on the party lol. And he did not cry! DH said he scooted him out of the toy room when he noticed that it was happening or there would have been mayhem. lol The whole time there was no major fighting or arguing or tantrum or crying on my son's part and I am so proud of him.</p> <p>Good for you for inviting only 3 friends!!! I also decided not to invite people from school, I just can't. He hasn't made any real good friends yet at school (or I should say, they change on a weekly basis) so I don't know how to invite his "best" friends. :grin: We did invite one kid from school who is supposed to be his "best friend" (but it has also changed recently). It was weird. They didn't RSVP or reply my email but they asked the kid to tell my son he's coming. But they didn't show up in the end. I was a bit irritated but I am also glad they didn't show up because I have never met the parents, and it would have been more stressful for me.</p> <p>We invited 6 other kids. Only 5 showed up. One was late and was sulking at the corner the whole time, and another one would not participate at the party games and would rather stay in the toy room to play. I am thankful that the 4 remaining kids (including my son) had fun participating at the games I planned. But with the amount of work I put in and food we laid out, I could have invited at least 5 more kids.... but then our dining table wouldn't be big enough :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2693518 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 08:32:46 +0000 Silva 2693518@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did your son have fun? Sounds like a great party! Last year I felt obligated to invite everyone in the group of kids we hang out with- it was way too much and overwhelming for my daughter (and me!). this year we decided just to invite her three closest friends and risk hurt feelings on behalf of the parents we left out. I'm doing what will make my kid happiest, and need to stop trying to make everyone else happy! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-have-i-learned-from-hosting-a-birthday-party#post-2693508 Wed, 08 Feb 2017 08:09:40 +0000 irene 2693508@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just finished hosting DS' 5 year old birthday party at home. Gosh. I felt like I got beaten by a thousand sticks. It was picture perfect but so hard. Some things I have learned:</p> <p>- Apparently there is an option to order your helium balloons online (or in person) and you can pick it up at Party City on the day of your party. That would have saved us a ton of hassle - the day of our party was the day of superbowl and our city (Atlanta) was in the finals. Everyone was buying balloons and the store was like a zoo. I got yelled at by the sales lady and DH was upset at me for lack of planning.</p> <p>- The punch pinata took 3 days to make. But it was worthwhile and it was quite popular.</p> <p>- It was an afternoon after lunch party. I posted my "menu" here before and most people told me it is not enough food. It was WAY too much food. As I predicted, no one except one close friend actually ate because she didn't eat lunch. lol. I threw a massive amount of food away :(</p> <p>- Serving blood orange mimosa was a good choice. I would have gotten away with that with maybe a hummus veggie platter lol</p> <p>- I was almost not going to do a "popcorn + goldfish" thing, but I did it anyway because I heard one of the kids do not eat anything other than goldfish. Strangely everyone was munching on the popcorn + goldfish.</p> <p>- I spent time making these cute bear face open faced sandwiches with sunbutter, banana and blueberries. You know, the type you found on pinterest. None of the kids want anything to do with them. They all went to trash.</p> <p>- I will not do a home party again. If I were to do one, I would hire a professional entertainer (so I don't need to be the one entertaining the kids) and someone to clean the house prior to the party (I don't have a cleaning service). But if I were to do all that, I might as well go to a party place.</p> <p>- Remember to take pictures or ask a friend to take pictures. DH and I were so busy I didn't take even a pic of the cake and my DS :( Luckily my friend took a pic and a video :)</p> <p>Any other tips from you? </p>