Let's Play "Guess Who's Coming to the Party!"

So, I don't know if you have heard the news recently about the dad and son over in the U.K. somewhere who received a bill for NOT going to a birthday party that they r.s.v.p'd to that they would be attending.  Seems that Jr. found he had other plans with Grandma, they didn't have a way to contact the people throwing the party, and didn't show.  Now there is a viral story batting around the universe about how they received a bill, and they're not paying the bill, and BLAH BLAH BLAH.

Regardless of where you stand on these people getting the bill, not paying the bill, or why stories like this go viral in the first place, it brought a dilemma to mind that plagues many a parent throwing a birthday party for kids. 

R.S.V.P. (ing)

If you are having a backyard party, while it may be inconvenient to have people not show up that you were expecting,or show up when you didn't expect them,  it's usually not the end of the world.  There is a general rule of thumb that I follow now for party favors bags/gifts that has developed from people with this habit.  I don't customize party favors anymore!  If you have someone show up that you were not expecting, I always feel bad for not having a gift bag!  By not putting names on the bags (or hats or whatever), you can roll with the punches.  Also, consider making up a few extras as siblings can, and often do, show up with guests occasionally. You can always keep leftovers for a rainy day (or donate them to a local charity to brighten someone elses!)

Here's my tried and true check list of how to deal with RSVP's and kids parties.

DO add an R.S.V.P. with YOUR name (not Caden's Mom) and best contact number/email.
DO consider using an online site to keep track of invites (like Evite or whatever).
DO expect that some kids are going to lose paper invites before getting home, that some kids are dealing with two households and the parent that has them that weekend might be clueless.
DO send out your invites a month ahead, if possible.
DO call the week of the party the kids house (or email) and follow up to see if they received the invite.  Say something like "I'm following up because I know that invites often get lost on the way home" because Mom/Dad may have just forgotten and are now horribly embarrassed. 
Do expect a few extra kids if possible.  If the party is offsite, they usually try to accomdate unexpected guests.  If not, perhaps that's not your site for next year!
DO relax!  In the big picture, a stressed out Mom is a sure fire wet blanket for any celebration.  Your kid is having a birthday!  Awesome!  Enjoy every minute, regardless of what anyone else is doing!
DON'T customize party favors/bag - roll with it as kids show up!
DON'T take it personally when kids don't show up.  You might be the most organized Mom in the world, but some Mom's are hanging on by a thread and they need a little love. Next time that Mom with cake on her face might be you!
DON'T send party favor bags for the kids that didn't show into school...it  is never pretty.

Have a wonderful party! Free party tips and themes on our Facebook page daily!  Love, from Party Jumpers!

Be a Doll and have a Matryoshka Party!

I may NEVER be able to pronounce these dolls, but we have a ton of them at the house!  I have ALWAYS loved them.  Matryoshka dolls have fascinated generations of kids and adults for years, which is why I was so excited to stumble across a party theme devoted to them today!  Check out our Pinterest page devoted to them - and feel free to snope around and find some OTHER great party ideas for your next birthday or other family friendly celebration! 

If you are in the Sarasota or Bradenton area - Friend us on Facebook for great discounts on party rentals! Party Jumpers Facebook or check out our fun inflatables online at www.partyjumpersinc.com.

Farm / Barnyard Party - the perfect fall party theme!

I love Fall - not like - love.  Growing up in New England, it was such a magical time of year.  I love it here in Sarasota too - we have so many fun fall festivals, it reminds me of home.  It also reminds me of what a great time of year it is to throw a "Farm" themed party - you have pumpkins/hay/scarecrows - so many things available to decorate the perfect backyard party (or festival - carnival!).  I've been busy working on some cute ideas up on our Pinterest board - check them out here!  Of course - we have the perfect bouncehouse to go with your theme - but check out all of the other great decorating ideas, cakes/cupcakes, invitations and food!  Perfect for boys or girls on any age - I hope you have fun planning!

Farm Bouncehouse - Party Jumpers

Last Minute Get Togethers!

Sometimes the best parties are those that have NOT been obsessed over for months!  This weekend, I was inspired to through a last minute cast party for some awesome Sarasota High School students while watching their final performance of "The Sound of Music".  For you, it might be an "End of a Great Season!" soccer party...or "Congratulations on winning STATES!" party!  In any case, finding ways to celebrate lifes special days dosen't have to take much time.

So in under 12 hours (most of which were spent sleeping!) - we followed this recipe for a great last minute get together!  

One Pool

One Awesome Waterslide (We set up the Raging River below!)

A Cake from Sam's (with Congratulations Cast! written in school colors)

Our Block Rockers - hooked to IPhone and Spotify

Food (grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, two salads, chips, drinks)

and about 20 great teenagers.....

And you know what? It was perfect! No stress! They all had a blast!  They had a wonderful time reflecting and relaxing after a stressful week - and we really did NOT kill ourselves in the process!  Don't be intimidated by last minute planning - enjoying the moment is the best! If you are in Sarasota or Manatee Counties, don't hestitate to call on us to "Bring The Party!" (941) 343-0370 or visit us at www.partyjumpersinc.com

Kids and Organization - the Essentials!

I don't tell many people that I meet for the first time that I have five kids, but when I do, I get many wide eyes stares that range from the "Are you NUTS" look to the "You MUST be NUTS" look :)  Truth be told, because it's our life, it dosen't seem like a big deal,  but when I look at a friend that has eight kids, I am blown away.  "How do you do it?" is the most popular question - so I'm here to tell you the secret!  ORGANIZATION

A Closet Sweater fabric bin

Folders for each kid!

Really!  That's it!  My grandmother told me to do an extra 20 minutes of housework everynight - and that was a great piece of advice!  I call it "Getting my ducks in a row" - don't go to bed without the laundry flipped, the dishwasher running, the floors and kitchen cleaned.  Waking up to a mess is the WORST!  I'm including some crummy pictures (from my phone)  of some of the things that help my house look like it's not a warzone - the key is HIDE STUFF! No coffee "tables" - coffee "trunks" - that end table is - yup - another trunk (holds a Huge train set!)   The playroom - an 8 foot room divider holds board games and a small part of a huge book collection.  The laundry room has a bin for each kids clothes - comes out of the dryer and into the bins.  In the kitchen there is a folder for each kid that holds school info ( 5 different schools! Yikes!)  as well as a folder for each activity with the schedules, guidelines etc.  Online organization I owe to Cozi - an online family organization system really - it's our calendar, all my shoppings lists, to do lists, and more.  You'll love it trust - trust me!  Check out my Pinterest page as well for the board on Stuff with Kids!  If you are organizing a party in the the Sarasota or Bradenton areas - check out Party Jumpers - I'll help you organize your next best family friendly event or birthday! Here's to Spring and your organized home!

Coffee table or Train Set container?

There's alot of toys, games and craft in them there cabinets!

Ikea - a Mom's best friend!

Great Birthday Party - Great Mom!

I just posted about Do-It-Yourself cakes last week, a few days before tripping over some super cute pictures of a birthday party hosted by my friend Chanda.  She did just a great job, she really deserves a shout out!  Truth be told, she loves to do this stuff (outside of her regular profession as an eye doctor!) and it shows in her cute ideas.  But also, most of these could be done even by super un-crafty Mom ME!  She had a minecraft party for her 9 year old boy ( but my daughter would love this theme too!).  Check out her cute ideas here and the rest of them up on my Pinterest board.  Not into Minecraft?  There are lots of other great ideas on our Pinterest.  Need some fun party rentals? Call me at Party Jumpers (941) 343-0370 if you are in the Sarasota or Manatee Counties - We Bring The Party!




Minecraft Party Ideas

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Hot Birthday Party Ideas for Kids!

Baby, it's hot outside!  As the temperatures soar here in Sarasota, we change our focus on party planning to water sports!  A dry bouncer can get HOT (think slide in the sun at the playground HOT), so it's a wonderful time of year to include some water features into your birthday party planning!  It's great to have a pool party, or consider a Teen Beach Movie theme (still super popular with the pre-teens!).  There are lots of fun ways to cool things off while still having a hot party!  We've included some great pictures on the Party Jumpers Pinterest page, but here are some basics as well!

1) Have your party earlier in the day!  Late afternoon storms can put a big damper on your plans!
2) Include some cool treats!  While plenty of drinks are needed, maybe a fun sno cone machine as well!  You'll find some fun cool off treats on our Pinterest page!
3)  Include a water feature!  Sprinklers! Water Balloons!  Water guns!  Or one of Party Jumpers awesome waterslides or slip-n-slides!  There is cool fun for everyone!

Happy Planning!  If you have a great suggestion, holler out!

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Want a great party idea for everyone!  Try this new inflatable!  We call it the Octodome - you'll call it the best idea EVER!  It's Basketball - Jousting - Volleyball - Twister - or just a HUGE bouncehouse!  Great for all events and ages!  Check out this video while it was out for a youth group event at our church - We Bring the Party!  Party Jumpers!

Check out the fun on this link!

Kids Birthday Party Planning!

I spoke with a great Mom of twins yesterday, knee deep in planning their birthday party here in Sarasota. There are so many options available, it can get a big overwhelming!  Here are some basic considerations when planning your next special event!

 When!  While you can't change the time of year of your child's birthday, here are some things you might want to consider...

• Time of Day -  Do you need to consider nap times? If summer, morning parties are better because it often rains in the afternoon! Are many of your guests involved in activities that take up mornings instead?
• Day of Week - While most parties are on the weekend, if you have preschool children, there might be more flexibility during the week for certain venues or vendors.  Many people are very busy on Saturdays, but find Sunday afternoons more open.  Will guests religious commitments conflict with a weekend party? 
• Week of Year - Does your party date coincide with school vacations? Manatee and Sarasota counties often have different schedules for Spring Break - will that present a problem?  Are there other holidays that might conflict?

Next week, we'll discuss some of the great WHERE to have the party options.  If you have any questions about kids birthday parties here in the Sarasota or Bradenton areas - feel free to email me fun@partyjumpersinc.com