Momfessionals: Party Planning

Two weekends ago I had the pleasure of hosting a baby shower for my sister-in-law, Diana, and the little boy she and my brother are expecting in September.

It was a morning shower and since I was doing "brunchy" finger foods I decided to put a couple of pub height tables in my family room so people could stand and eat while watching her open gifts. (This is one of those times when having a husband who does Food and Beverage for a country club comes in really handy. hahaha)

I picked up some bright and fun sunflowers and then added some baby pictures on skewers to "personalize" them :)

The baby pictures were a huge hit (I had them on an external hard drive from when I did the slideshow for their rehearsal dinner) and I had them printed 4x4 (with the square border) for less than $0.20 each at Sam's Club.

As guests arrived, they grabbed a permanent marker and wrote their "diaper thoughts" on the newborn sized diapers.

After everyone ate and while we waited for a few more guests to arrive before opening gifts, everyone filled out the "Pregnancy... How Sweet It Is" page where you match candy bars to pregnancy words (i.e. Hospital Bill matches up with Pay Day, anesthesiologist matches up with Mr. Goodbar, etc.). I found it online and then just typed it up in the same fonts I used on the invitation.

We had a few extra minutes so we also had fun figuring out these alternative names for popular Children's Book titles.

Emerald yolky food with accompanying pig product = Green Eggs and Ham

Evening Salutations to the Celestial Orb = Goodnight Moon

For decor, I didn't want to go so much with a theme, but more with an eclectic feel that speaks to Mark and Diana's taste.

The Hip Hip Hooray sign is from Vine and Branches and I love how I'll be able to use it for all kinds of occasions.

I kept the menu really simple, mini quiche, pinwheels, pigs in a blanket and donut holes (along with fruit and cupcakes).

These little chalkboard signs I found on clearance at Hobby Lobby. They were labeled "Spring" because they had a metal flower on stand, but I just twisted those off and tied a cute chevron ribbon around instead.

I made the cupcakes myself and kept them simple and then peonies were part of the very last shipment of the season. BOO!!!

I made cherry limeade punch and had lemon water available as well.

The Cherry Limeade recipe I found on Kellys Korner YEARS ago and it is so easy and tasty!

- 1 can frozen limeade concentrate

- 1 two-liter bottle of Sprite

- 1 jar of Maraschino cherries

- a few limes sliced up

Combine all the ingredients and that's it! I tripled the recipe to fill my drink container and I used one large jar of maraschino cherries instead of three small ones.

The wire arrow shelf I found at Homegoods and I used it for height and filled it with a few little visually interesting pieces from around my house as well as one of our favorite baby books for Baby B.

The wooden B came from HERE and the bulletin board used to hang in Griffin's room.

I moved the canvases that normally hang above my buffet to the wall across (on the right side of the picture), but left the nails in the wall to hang the pom pom garland on.

I decorated the bulletin board with baby pictures, a card, the invitation and a few ultrasound pictures I printed as well. I found the little hat at GAP and knew I had to snag it for the baby since Mark has one really similar to it that he's worn since toddlerhood (and continues to wear). I expect some serious #twinning this winter :)

The little chalkboard I picked up at Homegoods and wrote out one of my favorite quotes.

I used these same felt pom poms when I made the garland for Griffin's big girl room and, once again, the vendor was a delight to work with. I emailed her a copy of the invitation and she came up with the perfect color combination and I had them in hand about 3 days later. (this garland is 80 felt balls that I simply strung on a piece of embroidery floss using a regular needle).