::THE DRIVE IN MOVIE PARTY::

Lily's birthday fell on a Friday this year.  We had 8 balloons and her present ready for her when she woke up.  We don't go huge with presents usually - this year it was some slippers she requested and a little makeup kit.  Then while she went off to school I spent the day getting her party set!

The goal this year was to stay under the $150 budget and to not kill myself to put it all together.  I am 20 weeks pregnant and I am trying to not wear myself out.  After much thought I came up with a Drive In Movie theme.  But now I had to pull it off. 

I had a bunch of art supplies out and ready to get used to make the cardboard box cars.  

I pulled out this old cabinet that I can't decide how to redo and used to to show art supplies too. 

A nice big tub of hard core Cokes and juices kept the kids cranked up like crazy people.  

I did something that I don't usually do - I had the cake made.  

That is usually the most stressful party of the whole thing for me and I knew I wanted something wonderful and 3-D.  So I had the lady that did my gender cake make this glorious cake.  It was PERFECT!!!!! 

Wonderful and affordable - if anyone wants her number I am happy to share! 

Since it was a drive in movie we had trays and jars of candy.

So we didn't have a stampede we got the kids in their cars to watch the movie and then went around with trays offering candy. 

We also had popcorn and hot chocolate.  

 

My Emma acted as the hot chocolate girl.  She was so cute.  

She customized every ones cups.  Including her own.  

Lily assisted with the sound check before her guests arrived.  

 I tried to sneak in a quick photo shoot before her guests arrived...

 But it ended up like this.  

I love this picture.  

Lily needed a refill so she helped herself.  

My little Max had a cute car that Emma helped him make.  

All the kids spent lots of time perfecting their cars.  

And then we watched a few Disney shorts.

The kids sat and watched while downing candy, popcorn, and drinks. 

 Lily felt she needed to put on her slippers and serve her guests.  I thought it was adorable.

Not much was left by the end.  

The money part of it -

Supplies = $125

Cake = $60

The rest was free or borrowed

Now - I did go over budget a little.  The cake pushed me right over, but it was a splurge that I loved.  

GRAND TOTAL: $185

 

::movie party invite::

Let's recall that I did not have the energy or funds this year to go insane for Lily's party.  But I still wanted to do something fun.  We are doing a drive in movie party.  I broke my usual handmade/labor intensive routine and bought invites off etsy.  They cost $13 for the art and $18 at staples to print off 35 copies.  Total invite cost was 88 cents each.  I can live with that.  

I highly recommend the etsy shop "Cutie Patootie Designs".  She had cool designs for many themes and her prices were very reasonable.

::new party plan - drive in movie::

 After along talk with Josh from my party budget and funding department I had to make some major changes to Lily's party.  My total budget is going to be $150 and not a drop more.  That sort of funds is not going to work for the bubble party.  So after throwing a mini fit - followed with looking at the calender and realizing Disney World and unpaid maternity leave were coming up - I came up with a new party plan.  

A Drive In Movie

I will gather up boxes from the hospitals (for free)

The kids will arrive at 6pm.  They will spend about 1/2 hour making these boxes into cars.  I will already have them started with wheels, lights and the tops cut.  The kids will add stickers, decorations, etc.  I will also have little snack baskets strapped to the side.  

Then I will have a concession stand set up.  When the kids get there they will get a little paper wallet with some coins in it.  The kids can buy popcorn, sodas, and little candy bars.  I will then play a movie on a sheet posted against the house.  Just something like a collection of Mickey Mouse cartoons.  I am borrowing the projector from my brother inlaw.  

After about 45 mins or so of cartoons we will stop and do cake and presents.  (Which I really want to make it a no presents party.)  Then I have one little craft for them.   They ink their hands and place prints on a star.  Then they sign their names.  Just like in Hollywood. 

Budget:

     Box's - Free

     Car decore - $30

     Candy/food - 40-50

     Craft = $10

That puts me WAY under budget.  I can't WAIT!!!!!  Here are some of my inspiration images.

Image from here

Here