a lot of children....

Some days I think that two children are a lot of children.
Today I had 30 or so in my back yard for Rose's Jungle Treasure party.Usually I keep it to 6-8 children but decided this year decided that we might as well just ask the whole class, since they're such a nice bunch of kids. Add a few close family friends and a neighbourhood child or two and bingo! Party time!!

I kept the decorations simple..this is the jungle that you walked through to get to the back garden. A bit of raffia, plenty of ballons and a host of paper bag monkeys.The boys all had a great time pretending the paper bag monkeys were punching bags! (There is one just above Rose's head ...so easy to make and such fun. The kids loved them...and all mine seemed to have mysteriously disappeared...)

I finally had an excuse to make a few of the Martha Stewart pom poms - loved making these and they looked so beautiful. Not really jungle but I couldn't resist a bit of bright colour to hang in the trees.

Jungle treasure party cake- made a simple icecream cake and borrowed a few jungle animals from the toybox. I was busy trying to make little tree things from fondant icing, toothpicks and a lot of hope when I suddenly had the bright idea of using real bits and pieces from the garden stuck into marshmallows.

Note to self: check freezer space vs. size of cake board before you start assembling the cake. I had to do a bit last minute  juggling with frozen meat and soups. If you have ever had a family- size frozen chicken leap out of the freezer and hit you squarely on the hip bone, you too will appreciate the sense in paying attention to this bit of detail.

I decided to follow Jo's lead and go for quality rather than quantity when it came to the party bags. I put in Rose's favourites- a packet of smarties, a lolly pop and a Fredo frog. Each child also went home with one of my favourites - a succulent in a small pot. Easy to look after, needs hardly any water and loves the sun. I always loved when new little 'baby' buds grew and I could break them off, stick them in some dirt and watch them grow as well. Maybe it will inspire any of the budding horticulturists  in the class!

By all accounts a big success.
No tears.
No blood or broken bones.

Rose said it was the best party ever in all her life.
And guess what- I enjoyed it too!

Comments

[Biff]

Wow - what an excellent party & so brave to invite the entire class!

[Belinda Kwan]

What a fantastic party! I like what you did with the icecream cake too!

[Violet]

Sounds like a wonderful Party was had. And I love that you gave each child a succulent..what a great idea. :-)

[Shireen]

The jungle theme looks like a lot of fun. Looking after 30 kids doesn't sound very fun. You should have charged for daycare with those numbers. Nice idea for the presents. Better to have one toy she will cherish rather than 30 that will easily be forgotten, even if the one has to be a spooky Bratz.

[Tara]

WOW.go forth and rest now. you have excelled in all areas. Rose is also very wise. I love party bag plants! yes!!!! yes! and yes.

[ingrid]

What a fabulous party! I am sure Rose will remember it for a long time. I love the Martha Stewart pom poms. I may have to pinch the idea for Lotties party in a few weeks. We too are doing the whole shebang this year. I am up to 35 kids so far :o

[julie]

Oh Marianne - it sounds wonderful - well done and hope the hip isnt too sore. Rose looks gorgeous and so does that cake!!

Any ideas for a 5 yr old party of thirty without a garden?? xxx

[tracing]

What a beautiful birthday girl! Happy birthday Rose!

[Tiel]

OK Rose, now I want an invitation for your 7th! what a great day.