2.5

Now that Aiden is 2.5 the party planning is in full gear. His birthday will be right around the time I return to work, so this momma will be extremely overwhelmed. So I'd like to have my ideas/plans done.

At first I was thinking something simple for me...like going to a bouncy place, Children's Museum, or Incredible Pizza where they take care of everything, but then reality sank in I don't want to shell out that kind of money and not have both boys enjoy it. Plus we will have another <1 year old at the party too, so that's not making it easy on us. Maybe when Aiden turns 5 we will do one of those ideas.

Then with his birthday in February you never know with weather....is it going to be warm or are we going to have snow?! So that limits any ideas of something outside. Since our core group seems to be always growing our little house won't cut it anymore. So I then thought of why not get one of those inflatable bouncy things to put in the church gym. Then it came to me......

I've been seeing all these really cute pins on Pinterest for Paint Parties. And I was sold! Especially since I know Aiden loves to paint and he's getting an easel for Christmas it was just perfect!! Destiny haha!!

Invitation. Use paint chips for the invitation. Who doesn't like Free!? I'll just grab a bunch of different colors one day.

Food. This is where I tend to go overboard, but this year I want(need) to keep it simple. Instead of making a cake I'm doing cupcakes. The most work with that is going to be exchanging the frosting color for the different colors. The board is just a cake board cut down to size.

Activity. Have an area where the kids can paint a picture. Don't worry washable paint only and smocks to wear. Under this area lay out painters brown paper or plastic sheets (which I already have). Contain the mess ;-)

The biggest cost of this will be the canvas. I saw one pin where the person used boxes. They are the boxes paper are mailed in to printing shops, so tall and skinny....so I'll have to call up a few stores to see if they can save them for me. If so then it's free! And I like free!! Another person used those giant Post-it Sheets but that would require putting plastic on the walls too. I'll keep brainstorming ideas....

Decor. I saw one fun and simple idea. Spatter paint on a white sheet to use as a back drop. And you know I have paint cans in our garage so I'm gonna pull those suckers out and tape some construction paper around the label! Hello free centerpieces.

Favors. Let the kids take their smock home if they want and a package of watercolors. Simple and fits in with the theme.

Our tax free weekend is coming up so I might buy some supplies then since they are considered school supplies! Yah for savings!
Other good news about him turning 2.5 is now he's eligible to graduate to the 3 year old class at Preschool! He just needs to stay accident free for 3 weeks and then he's ready! YAH! Let's go Aiden!! Let's keep saving (as you move up the tuition goes down)!