I made a panda cake and panda sugar cookie lollipops. We served a variety of sandwiches (including sunbutter and jellies shaped with cookie cutters for the children), dips, cheese and crackers, and fruit.
The agenda was primarily for friends and family to visit but we had a coloring table and a playdough table going on to keep boredom and restlessness at bay. The only scheduled activity for the kids was a panda pinata (a doctored soccer ball pinata). For favors we had Chinese takeout boxes to collect the pinata booty. We also customized some party blowers by adding a paper panda head (a Martha idea). While planning I was tempted to throw in color left and right but ultimately the black and white made for a nice visual impact. And that little boy had a ball.
Thanks Darcie! (For more panda party fun see Chloe & Noi's party)
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another great boy party! they seem a little trickier for me than a girl's party would be.
I ADORE THIS, and think this "boy" party is even great for girls! My daughter loves animals and would have a blast with a party like this. Not only is this great for kids, but it is a fun atmosphere for adults!
now, i'm really sad i missed this party.
ok i'm super curious cause i've never seen it before, but how do you pronounce the name Kjell?
It’s pronounced “shell.” Here’s some info: http://www.babynamewizard.com/namipedia/boy/kjell
Really like this party. Could translate to a lot of different ages and gatherings.
What a cute idea for a kid's party. Nice work.
emily @ http://456eleven.com
looks just a bit like it's in an insane asylum...
So fun, I love it! Hooray for fresh ideas!
Rebecca @PrettyPartyStudio
@lab director, sadly, I didn't get to join the asylum, but the party was actually held in a natural light photography studio with white walls as a backdrop to match the black & white theme. :)
natural light or not, it looks stark and cold. especially with everyone wearing colorless (i realize that's the theme) clothing. that's just my opinion.
Why oh WHY did you NOT call this (the party OR the post) "Pandamonium"???
But, and maybe it was just me as a kid, but cutting into a panda's head would have freaked my @ss out.
And ditto on the panda head piñata.
I love it!
Boys parties are so hard sometimes, without going the "character" or truck/car/train route.
At 2, a party is as much for the adults as it is for the kids (sometimes more so), and I love the studio setting. I didn't once get an "asylum" feel, everyone is looking super cool, and Kjell looks like he had a good time... and I bet the kids loved all that space to run around in!
lab director: what is the point of criticising the party, after it has happened? Different to something that can be changed, but this is in the past, so if it's not your thing... move on?
Well, if the post is showing the party after it happened, and its open for praise, is it not also open to criticism?
(And I am reminded of the total lashing the poor parents of the "indian themed" party got a while back... yet marvel that no one but myself apparently seems to be disturbed by the odd imagery of bashing open/slicing into the head of the very symbol for vanishing wildlife... and I'm not usually that ardent a tree-hugger... I'm the one usually defending cowhide rugs over on AT...)
I will say I'm not a fan of labdirector's specific comments or delivery, though.
...*it's* open for praise...
Well, I'm gonna have to agree, it's a little psychiatric looking for me (and this isn't intended to be criticism- just my POV- after all, isn't that what the comments section is for?). That said, as long as the birthday boy liked it, that should be all that matters. To each his own!
http://thesweetest3.com/
No Patrick (the other one) you aren't the only one disturbed by the slicing/bashing into the panda head-- and my kids at that age would have FREAKED out. Pinata parties were always touchy, even when it was just hanging there, prebashing.
I just googled "bamboo cake," and got SUCH cool interesting and potentially "boy" results (there are girly ones too, though, clearly). The green and carmelly brown would have been nice in all the black and white....pandas also eat mice apparently too in case more animals for symbolic consumption would have been welcome ;)
This is a very interesting symbolic/ritualistic/primal moment here on the blog!
Agreed, catcam.
None of anything I posted was intended to take any joy away from the happy moment! Just always fascinated what does and doesn't set off the audience around here.
skybox--
Thanks for the assist!
I could never even eat my oatmeal when my mom made a smiley face on it out of raisins! My poor mom!
traumatic day in preschool, my daughter, crying: why do they eat ants on a log-- they can't swim.
Apparently she thought somehow they had sought refuge on the log...and then were eaten. :/
Ooooh, that story is adorable, sweet, and sad!
So, I guess no Elephant Ears or Bear Claws either, huh? :)
Ha ha! Party host here. I was totally worried about my son not wanting to eat the panda. Would have been such a let down as we all sang if he burst into tears about it! Fortunately he and the other kids were all eager to devour cake and jumped at their turns at the pinata. But I hope there's no long term damage done! If so, they've already visited the psych ward for this party so they're covered.
I hope it wasn't red velvet cake, at least.
(thank you, Steel Magnolias, for the root of that joke.)
"That looks like an autopsy". LOVE that movie.
The panda head thing doesn't bother me. I think probably the same can be said about all the other multitudes of edible animal shaped kids foods. I've seen people hack into birthday cakes with zoo animals on them and nobody bats an eye. Elephant leg anyone? It really just depends on the kid and I think two is too young to get the connection. At least my sensitive two year old wouldn't.
Could have been worse. Could have had a John the Baptist theme.
The invite just reminded me how much I want a sandwich...miss that place.
I personally love the idea and execution.
@patrick--I don't LOL only because my laugh is more of a shake, but if I did LOL, it would have been loud and hearty for the "worse" suggestions (i.e. red velvet & J the Baptist). Twisted, but funny.
I'll take that shaking as a compliment. :)
That jug/pitcher/vase/container thing holding the juice in the picture with the cake. Where did you get it? What is it? I must have it!
it has a spigot on the side. we got it from costco about 6 years ago for our wedding but i've seen them carry it several times since. :)