LilSugar

Kiddie Soiree: Regal Cake Molds For a Princess

babysugar — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:00:37 -0700

Now that the theme has been set and the invitations have been sent out, it's time to start stocking up on the necessary items for my 3-year-old princess's royal affair. First on the list is a regal style cake pan. In the past I've ordered the dessert from our grocer but this year I'm thinking of making it so she can help me with the decoration. It may turn out looking like a mess but at least we'll have fun doing it. Now I just have to decide which mold to go with: tiara, carriage, castle, or cupcakes with crowns on top.

Which one wins your vote?

Nordic Ware® Castle Bundt® Pan - $36.00	Nonstick Castle Bundt Pan (10-c.) by Nordic Ware - $31.95
Castle Cake Pan by Wilton - $12.95	Fairytale Cottage Pan (9.75-in.) by Nordic Ware - $29.95

Kiddie Soiree: Planning a Regal Fete

babysugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:30:44 -0700

It's that time of year again - my daughter's birthday is on the horizon. I've got one month to pull a fabulous fete together and I'm bringing you all along for the ride. A princess adoring darling, I've decided to deck our home out with crowns, scepters, and bejeweled cupcakes. But before I can do anything, I must order and send out the invitations.

A popular theme to boot, the options are endless. The pink and purple castles would be enticing if we had a jumpy house but alas, we won't. The tiaras clearly indicate the type of party to expect but I quite like the silhouette with the pigtails and crooked crown to the right. It shows the playfulness of a 3-year-old best.

Which of the invitations below do you like best?

Mommy Dearest: Don't Want to Invite Troublemaker to Party

LilSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 06:00:55 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

There is a child in my daughter's pre-K class who is a bit of a troublemaker. When the session started, her mother and I arranged a few playdates for the kids, but I quickly discovered that we had different views on the type of behavior that was appropriate. Her daughter spent most of the get togethers hitting and scratching mine. I put an end to the playdates and tried to avoid engaging in conversation with the mom during drop-off and pick-up at school. My daughter's birthday party is coming up and I want to invite her entire class except the girl who will upset the other children. What would you do?

– Birthday Bash Mommy

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Birthday Bash Mommy,

While it was one thing to end the playdates due to behavioral issues and differences in parenting, it's another to single out a young child. It seems mean spirited to invite everyone in the class except this one little girl. It teaches your daughter that hurting someone's feelings is all right. I would extend the offer to the child and hope she takes a cue from the way the other kids are acting at the birthday party. Or, speak to her mother ahead of time and let her know what type of behavior is expected in your home.

-Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.

Mommy Dearest: Birthday Parties

babysugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Mommy Dearest,

My son's fourth birthday is coming up in six weeks, and I would like to have a small get-together for him here at our house with just a few of his closest friends. Another boy from his preschool class shares the same birthday and his mom has mentioned throwing a joint party for the boys. Unfortunately, her idea includes a petting zoo, inviting the entire class, a buffet, and swag bags for party favors. How can I decline the offer to cohost a party politely so I won't hurt her feelings or damage the friendship between us and our sons?

- Party Pooper

To see the response from Mommy Dearest, read more.

Dear Party Pooper,

Cohosting a party can be stressful no matter what the circumstances are, but when it involves someone with completely opposite ideas, step out of the equation and save your mental and financial states. Tell the other mother that you are thankful for the opportunity, but already made other plans for a low-key celebration. To lighten the blow, you may offer to help her set up for her son's party or bring ice cream for the fete. And, of course, I would invite her son to your small shindig and acknowledge his birthday by giving him a special cupcake or party favor.

- Mommy Dearest

Submit a question for this feature at the Mommy Dearest Group on TeamSugar.
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Kiddie Soirée: Sweet Spring Treats

babysugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 16:00:00 -0700

The idea of giving every guest a goldfish or a furry lil snow bunny for a party favor sure sounds cute, but is it practical? Not so much. At your Spring chicken's next birthday party, keep with the "new life" theme with frosted cookies and cupcakes to go. Check out the slideshow of my favorite Spring sweet treats that you and your child can make together.

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Lil Find: Birthday Candle You Won't Want to Blow Out

LilSugar — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:00:56 -0700

Singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing out candles is a welcomed (and anticipated!) tradition in houses with children, which means it's always a little sad when that flame goes out. You can bring hours of celebratory glow to your birthday table with this modeled porcelain Birthday Cake Candle ($10). It ships with a coordinated box of matches and two candles so you can use it on mom and dad's special days too.

What to Do When It's Time For Tots to Party!

LilSugar — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Birthdays are a big deal for the toddler and preschool set. When planning a party for your wee one get creative and involve them in the process. Whether your child likes solving small mysteries or expressing themselves on canvas, we've got a couple of themes and handful of tips that help you throw a most memorable bash!

Kiddie Soiree: Jackson Pollack Birthday Party

Five Tips For Planning a Kid's Birthday Party

Kiddie Soiree: Detective Birthday Party

LilSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:00:47 -0700

A friend of mine recently hosted a charming detective themed birthday party for her five-year-old son that highlighted his smart and cunning personality. She put great attention into the little details, but managed to keep the budget tight and the attitude light. The fete was held at a local park (she lives in very sunny Long Beach, CA), where she and her husband set up a fake crime scene mapped out by caution tape and a Nerf gun shooting range. Partygoers were led by adults through the course and encouraged to search for hidden clues that lead up to a rented jumper house. When detectives grew tired of their "work" they had the entire park to explore. Check out this slideshow for tips on how to copy this simple kiddie soiree theme.

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Kiddie Soiree: Cookies on Sticks

LilSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 09:00:34 -0700

What offers kiddos the crunch of a cookie and the fun of a lollipop? A fellow Sugar staffer was inspired by the website The Decorated Cookie and created what she promises is a simple party favor - sugar cookies on sticks. She says:

I am by no means an expert baker, but I'd seen this cookies on sticks phenomenon on a couple websites and realized they are the ideal bite-sized treat. The project took about two hours (I made about 50 cookies!), but the end result was a personalized, inexpensive and sweet party favor that elicited ohhhhsss and awwwwws from all the kids and parents at the party. I decorated the cookies with sprinkles, hearts and the letter "C" in honor of the birthday girl's name.

For recipe suggestions and tips, read more.

Don't be afraid to cheat a little. Instead of making the cookies from scratch, try a frozen pre-made cookie dough you just have to bake like Pillsbury's frozen Sugar cookies, which are sectioned into the perfect size for the sticks. Before you bake the cookies you skewer them with popsicle sticks (these can be found at a local craft or party store). The Decorated Cookie site has recipes for both the cookies and hard frosting. If you want to go natural, use natural food coloring from the health food store. The color of the cookies will be a bit pastel and muted (like the ones pictured here), but you can rest easy that there's no red dye.

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Five Tips For Planning a Kid's Birthday Party

LilSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:02:05 -0700

Your child's birthday comes once a year, but the memories made at their parties last long beyond the last streamer and paper hat have been tossed in the recycle bin. Whether you are throwing a pricey soiree or a budget friendly fete, there are five things to keep in mind to make sure the birthday boy or girl and their guests have a good time. Let the creativity and chaos ensue!

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