When a mom becomes a party planner

Hi, my name is Tiffany, and I have an addiction to Etsy. 

I'm planning Paityn's Minnie Mouse themed third birthday.  It's going quite well, from my perspective, at least.  I think Dan is ready to check me into Etsy rehab.  I can't help it.  There are some seriously creative people on that site!

So far, I've accomplished most of what I listed when I first told you about the party.

My husband is drinking Starbucks drinks at an alarming rate.  I fear that the ingenious idea to use the cleaned containers as a substitute for more expensive glasses has created an addiction.  Our nanny loves them, too, so I am now responsible for getting two people hooked on Starbucks frappucino and  mocha coffee drinks.  Which means I am also now responsible for maintaining their supply.

Oy.

I'm still pretty satisfied, though.  Those glasses are going to be cute.

A couple weeks ago, my daughter went to a friend's birthday party at Chuck E Cheese.  I'm not much of a fan of The Cheese.  I will never forget how excited I was to go when I was little and how disappointed I was when I finally went to a party there.

The ball pit smells like feet.  The pizza tastes like cardboard.  The prizes require three hundred tickets you have to win by being skilled at video games, which I have never been.  Besides, they are all cheap, plastic junk.  Like a miniature yo-yo.  What are you supposed to do with a mini yo-yo?  The string is too small to actually yo (is that the right word?).

Anyway, Paityn was so excited when she came home.  "Mama, can we have my birthday party at Chuck E Cheese?"

I'm not going to lie.  I was seething.  Ungrateful little mini-me.

I tried to keep my tone from being too peevish, but I'm afraid I was fairly unsuccessful.  "No, you may not.  I'm planning you a really nice Minnie birthday.  Besides, Minnie's coming.  Don't you want Minnie to come?"

Reflective pause.

"She can come with us to Chuck E Cheese."

Grrr.

I told her that only Chuck E Cheese is allowed there.  They have to split the characters up and not have them all in the same place because they have a lot of kids to make happy.

She didn't really buy it.  I'm raising a child who is far too smart.  I really should be scared.

Instead, she asked Dan if we could go to Chuck E Cheese for his birthday.  He of course said yes.  Short of wearing a full face of makeup and a pink tutu to a Browns game, I don't think there's anything my husband would deny his girls.

It doesn't help that he's a giant kid who I know I'll have to drag whining out of the foot-smelling ball pit when it's time to go.

Back to my Etsy addiction.

I couldn't resist sharing some of my purchases and ideas so far.  I am sharing links to the Etsy stores, too.  I have had fantastic experiences with all the stores and highly recommend them.

1.  Ribbons purchased to make these cute topiaries.
2.  Cute clip in ears purchased for both girls (although now Paityn wants party hats... sigh.)
3.  Adorable invitations sent.
4.  Minnie dresses purchased for both girls.  (Perfect with the ears for our trips to Disneyland in September!)
5.   Fondant ears and bows purchased for cupcakes.  (Paityn's latest request is for banana cupcakes... from the girl who only eats the frosting.)
6.  Minnie inspired cookies for dessert and the adult party favors.

Get an update with my after-party posts:

It's a Minnie Party: Favors! 
It's a Minnie Party: Decorations!
It's a Minnie Party: Outfits!