Sunday, February 10, 2008

Welcome to the Jungle!

Franny turned four last week and we really wanted to celebrate her this year. This was the first year we felt that she could handle all the excitement of a birthday party and she worked really hard to get here, so we felt that she deserved a great big birthday bash! We decided on a jungle theme because of her love for the Jungle Book and the cute catch phrase she invented: "Stay in the Jungle."

Now, I don't consider myself a very fun or creative Mom. I'm being sincere- I'm sort of a deadbeat that way. But that's the beauty of the internet- you can totally fake it! All these wonderful ideas right at your fingertips! I also enlisted the help of my friend Melody- I told her I wanted to hang jungle vines from the ceiling but I had no idea how I was going to do it. She told me exactly how to do it. (Buy rope, spray-paint it green, and tie construction paper leaves to it.) I told her that I was going to paint a lion face onto a box and make it a lion toss. She told me to cut strips of fleece for the lion's mane. She sent me directions on how to make a fondant cake with lots of helpful tips to make the process go smoothly. She was a total lifesaver. Thanks Melody!

I also made tissue paper pompoms for the kitchen in yellow and orange, and then I made smaller versions with the leftover tissue paper for tropical flowers on the vines. Making the cake was a lot more fun than I was expecting. I think from now on my kid's birthday cakes will always be covered in fondant. I decided to keep it nice and simple and just cover a two-layer 9-inch round cake.




I got the idea for the cave online as well. I called a local furniture store and they told me where they store their large furniture boxes, so I drove my car behind the store and swiped four very large cardboard boxes. Although this operation was carried out in broad daylight, in front of a store employee, and with the blessing of the receptionist I spoke with on the phone, it felt very covert and sneaky. I liked it. Bobby made the cave and I think he did a great job. I hung crepe paper inside and taped up a big picture of a hippo I drew inside. Then we drew a picture of each of the kids on butcher paper and taped it on the side. I told them they were ancient heiroglyphs from an ancient jungle party. I'm a nerd.



Franny loved the party. I was so happy. She loved having her friends over, and she LOVED all the attention. It was really fun to watch. I am happy it ended up being such a positive thing for her. That was just what I wanted. I sincerely wish I could have invited everyone in her life, all her friends, classmates, therapists, teachers... everyone! We are so grateful for all the wonderful people in her life who love her and have helped her to come so far.

Our present for Franny was a new big girl bike. I had to go to the church to take care of some Relief Society stuff, so we decided to give her the bike there, so she would have somewhere to try it out. She already knew how to ride her big wheel, so it wasn't very long before she had her big girl bike figured out. It was pretty cute.

24 comments:

Lisa said...

How fun! I bet Franny had a blast.

Anne said...

So cute, everthing looked perfect and Franny looked so happy!

Julia Holmes said...

Wow Katherine that party looked awesome. You are such a good mom. Franny looked like she was having a blast. What a cute theme. I love that video. That was so fun to watch :)

Melody said...

Way to go! You are a fun mom. I'll be honest, sometimes when I am feeling too stuffy or boring I think, "what would Katherine do?"
I want to end my comment with a plea: "Take me back to the jungle with you Franny!"

Jill said...

What a great party, you are an awesome mom. Happy birthday Franny, how in the world did you grow up so fast.. 4 I can't believe that!

Lacey Guy said...

That is so cute! I bet Franny loved it! Great job!

jayne said...

wow-de-zow Katherine! You went all out! You are a way fun mom, no matter what you think. Jack had a blast, looks like all the other kids did too.

Erin said...

that looks so fun! the cake turned out great, and the cave is so cool!

Chrissie said...

Great birthday music video! That looked like a fun party. Good job Katherine! Happy Birthday Franny!

Jodie B. said...

I am soooo sad we missed this! It looks like they had so much fun. You are so good!!

Natalie said...

AWESOME!

The Wilkins' said...

Makes my heart melt seeing how happy Franny is! You're an amazing mom! Love the cake too - I'd love to learn how to make a fondant cake.

Julia said...

Way fun Kath!

I especially love the video/clips.

Unknown said...

You are such a COOL mom!!! Thank you for having Brianna, she had such a fun time in the jungle!

Cari said...

Hi! I don't think you know me but we're kind of cousins. My mom, Susanne, is your dad's cousin. (Your Grandpa Warner's sister Helen's daughter.) Anyway, I kind of stumbled upon your blog from a friend of a friend of a friend (I don't remember how I found it) and made the connection when I saw pictures of your awesome parents. I have always loved them! You actually were at my wedding reception 20 years ago. :) Anyway, I thought I better comment because I was feeling like a blog-stalker.

What a fun party! You are so creative! And your daughters are darling! So much fun!

Chantel said...

Happy birthday Franny! What a SUPER CUTE party!!

The Posse said...

Seriously, "not a fun mom"? "Deadbeat"? Ummm... not at the last party I was at! So cute, and I loved the pics.

murdockspencer said...

That's awesome. We can't wait to meet Franny and Sophie, even though we feel like we know them already. And what do we have to do to get our blog put on you page?

christine said...

You are a cool mom! You know you're a cool mom when you have movies of your kids with music from Fall Out Boy.
That cake was adorable.
By the way your awesome recipes saved my butt this Valentine's Day. Thanks!

rebecca said...

Happy Birthday Franny!!!! What a fun birthday party to celebrate her wonderful accomplishments this year!!! It was fun to see pictures of the other kids there too :) I miss those cuties!! You are such an awesome mom!!!!!

sara said...

My favorite part was seeing that video. That looked like such a fun party and I'm glad Franny had a blast. What a great mom you are!

TerriLyn said...

What a rockin' birthday party!! I love it. Thanks for sharing!

Johanna said...

So cute, Katherine! That turned out great. I love the cake that you made -- you are amazing! So much fun. Abby keeps asking to play and replay the video of the kids over and over. :)

Johanna said...

So cute, Katherine! That turned out great. I love the cake that you made -- you are amazing! So much fun. Abby keeps asking to play and replay the video of the kids over and over. :)

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