<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes"?><oembed><version><![CDATA[1.0]]></version><provider_name><![CDATA[Paper Dolls for Boys]]></provider_name><provider_url><![CDATA[https://paperdollsforboys.wordpress.com]]></provider_url><author_name><![CDATA[twlowenstein]]></author_name><author_url><![CDATA[https://paperdollsforboys.wordpress.com/author/twlowenstein/]]></author_url><title><![CDATA[Birthday Crazy]]></title><type><![CDATA[link]]></type><html><![CDATA[<p>About a week after the birth of my second child my foggy brain came up with an awesome  realization.  &#8220;I get to plan 2 birthday parties a year now!&#8221; I excitedly said to my husband (who humors me beyond belief).  I love love love planning my kids&#8217; birthday parties.  Usually I stick to it being all about them but I fumbled on my eldest son&#8217;s 3rd birthday.  I&#8217;m embarrassed to admit that I started planning for it about 8 months before his birthday!  At the time he was way into robots, I like the vintage kitschy quality of robots myself so I got busy. I hand sewed felt robot invitations with silver metallic thread:</p>
<p><a title="robot birthday invitation" href="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/robot-birthday-invitation.jpg"><img src="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/robot-birthday-invitation.jpg" alt="robot birthday invitation" /></a></p>
<p>I <a href="http://www.gocco.com/prod.HTM">gocco&#8217;ed</a> Thank You cards:</p>
<p><a title="robot birthday thank you" href="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/robot-thank-you.jpg"><img src="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/robot-thank-you.jpg" alt="robot birthday thank you" /></a></p>
<p>I print gocco&#8217;ed some paint sample cards to string together for a banner:</p>
<p><a title="robot birthday banner" href="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/robot-banner.jpg"><img src="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/robot-banner.jpg" alt="robot birthday banner" /></a></p>
<p>I sketched the cake, I  saved recycling and shiny things for the kids to make their own robot costumes, I&#8217;d even started on the robot piñata. Can you see where this is going? The whole thing became more about me, my vision and the pleasure I get from being crafty than about my son, HIS party and his CURRENT interests. So after some soul searching I asked my son what kind of birthday party he&#8217;d like to have, &#8220;Baseball!&#8221; he excitedly shouted.   So I acquiesced.  But I decided I wasn&#8217;t going to spend any more money on a second party.   So I tucked away my runaway robot creations (although I&#8217;m really hoping my youngest develops an affinity for robots) and happily planned the baseball party. This time I looked at it as more of a joint project. My husband came up with a great idea, to cut paper plates to look like home plate and have the kids decorate them. My son asked that he get to throw &#8220;sprinkles&#8221; and dance.  It was a  kickass baseball party.</p>
<p><a title="fenway bean bag toss" href="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/fenway.jpg"><img src="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/fenway.jpg" alt="fenway bean bag toss" /></a></p>
<p>I used popcorn containers I already had for the goody bags, filled them with stickers and a Red Sox bracelet (the Lance Armstrong kind).  The only bits I bought specifically for the party.</p>
<p><a title="popcorn" href="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/goody.jpg"><img src="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/goody.jpg" alt="popcorn" /></a></p>
<p><a title="banner" href="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/banner.jpg"><img src="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/banner.jpg" alt="banner" /></a></p>
<p>Swing battah battah!  We filled the inside with baseball cards and &#8220;sprinkes&#8221;.</p>
<p><a title="baseball pinata swing" href="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/baseball-pinata-swing.jpg"><img src="https://paperdollsforboys.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/baseball-pinata-swing.jpg" alt="baseball pinata swing" /></a></p>
<p>I have to see if I can find one of the invitations to photograph, I delivered each kid a baseball with the party info written on a sharpie.  I&#8217;m all about invitations that are also part of the favor.</p>
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