So we had a backyard party for 70adults and 40kids last weekend. It turned out to be super affordable.

Food: It was in the afternoon 2:30- 4:30pm so we catered 4 large pans of food, made rice; water cooler and passion orange juice cooler (made little VHC --Very Hungry Caterpillar themed-signs) ($3 a head)

Dessert:A friend's family made gorgeous 3D watercolor painted VHC cupcakes with the various foods from the book. The backup-adult-smash cake: Costco cream cheese cake and my aunty made caterpillar themed mini-cupcake push pops. And ice cream cones (like the book). (0.30 a head..more if I had to pay for the cupcakes myself, but didn't-thank God!)

Favors: We got creative b/c we had a strict budget. Kids got 4.5 inch lollipops and created some theme printable stickers with the kids names. We arranged them in a box wrapped with colorful paper. For pre-schoolers we had t-shirts using iron on transfers with their last name and a related pic and scripture. For babies, I gave them Very Hungry Caterpillar books (used Scholastic points) and personalized bag (luggage) tags which I made with my personal laminator (hello, Black Friday sale!). For adults/couples without kids they got a handpainted 4 inch flowerpot with purple flower plant or Manoa lettuce. We used those as centerpieces on the eating tables as well. (about $1 a head)

For decor, we bought a helium tank and blew up about 60 balloons. Most were floating attached to our fence around our yard, the others floated in the house, including one in the shape of the VHCaterpillar. A bubble machine was constantly blowing bubbles somewhat near the front entrance so kids had fun jumping through that. We hung a printable banner inside and covered the food tables with fitted green leaf tablecloths. I also had her baby book out but it got buried in her presents.($0.50 a head)

For entertainment, we had a friend do a speed jumprope show
(kinda like Ms. Hawaii's routine) and then we borrowed a bean bag toss, ring toss, plinko and mini golf setup outside for kids to run,jump and play. We also had all of our daughter's year's video clips combined in a 2 hour video running in the house for people walking in and out to catch a glimpse of her. My favorite part was when my husband gathered all the kids in a giant mesh tent, on mats for storytime. Parents looked on from outside and I tempted straggling timid kids in by promising a treat when they came out of the tent (granola bars, rice crackers and raspberry kisses.) Inside the packed tent, my hubby read a giant VHC big book (borrowed) with a caterpillar and butterfly puppet. That was my highlight because our baby (little toddler, now!) was hugging on him and turning the pages the whole time he was reading. I splurged and hired a photographer/digital CD deal through an awesome online Living Social deal. He stayed 3 hours-one of those hours was a bonus for us! ($1 a head for photographer)

Anyway....hope the Bees can use some ideas. I've learned so much from all of you. I'm so excited to share info with anyone who is getting ready for some fun.