Dear MK South Puget Sound Partiers,

We have been promising a birthday party edition for our newsletter but have found there are way too many great locations, vendors and ideas to fit in one newsletter so we will be profiling all of them over the next month in our weekly newsletters.  From 1st birthday parties to your baby's 18th, we will be providing information, ideas, locations for every age in between and for all budgets! 

In this week's party central edition, we'll be profiling Roach Gymnastics of Sumner (who graciously hosted my son's 3rd birthday party) and we provide 3 great ideas for at home parties for your child - slumber party theme, pirate theme and tea party theme.  We are still running the contest for the Family Overnight to Great Wolf Lodge so scroll all the way down for more details on that too!

I want to also take the time to thank Tiffany Dirks, Rae Friis and Jen Belding for their awesome potty training advice (and prayers!) - they will each be awarded a $10 gift card to Starbucks for their trouble.  Remember, when I seek your advice and use it, I will reward you. :)  Now send me those birthday party ideas and if I use them or profile them, you will also receive a $10 gift card too.

Have a Happy Day,

Sarah Beyersdorf

Publisher

Macaroni Kid South Puget Sound

www.south-puget-sound.macaronikid.com

Roach Gymnastics

1627 45th Street E, Bldg. D-103
Sumner, WA 98390

253-826-5999

www.roachgymnasticsinc.com

If you are looking for a FUN and ENERGETIC environment to celebrate your child’s birthday, ROACH GYMNASTICS in Sumner is the place! 

I was concerned on where to have my son's birthday party this year.  My husband and I come from very large families with varying ages and temperments of children so I am always faced with that daunting question each time I plan anything - what is going to entertain a 1 year old as much as a 10 year old so the parents enjoy themselves too?!?!  I found that Roach Gymnastics delivered more than I could have ever imagined on all counts, for both the boys and the girls, and all ages of the kids in attendance!

Owned and operated by 2008 Weightlifting Olympian Melanie Roach, who is South Puget Sound resident, you are not remotely surprised by the quality, organization and efficiency of the environment and staff when you book your child's birthday event at Roach Gymnastics.

When you book your party at Roach Gymnastics in Sumner the entire gym is yours.  For the first hour the kids will play games and learn gymnastics from qualified staff, then they'll make the birthday child the center of attention and allow them to "be the leader" by choosing which event they'll do next. The last half hour will be spent eating and opening gifts. 

Roach Gymnastics and their staff provide a fun and organized gymnastics environment and a great party room - they serve, write the gift list for you, and they clean up too!  Roach Gymnastics offers birthday party or private events every Saturday at: 1PM, 3:30PM, or 5:30PM.  For more information on private events, including corporate, family, schools and birthday parties please click this link - http://roachgymnasticsinc.com/website/controller.php?pg=bday

I know this will be a regular venue choice for our family and friends going forward as we plan events for our children.  I am happy to have discovered it and hope you will take the time to check Roach Gymnastics out for you and your family!

Check out this local business and help support our local community!  For more information on the SHOP LOCAL 3/50 Project click www.350project.com

This Week's Picks:

Teen Scene:

Plan Ahead:

A slumber party can be the perfect celebration for your little social butterfly. Our fun and creative slumber party ideas -- including slumber party games, slumber party food and more --  will be a blast for the attendees and easy-as-pie for a parent like you.  

Best For..

While girls are usually the ones who insist on slumber parties, boys enjoy this kind of fun as well. Slumber parties should be kept gender-specific; girls aged seven to 12 will enjoy them while boys aged eight to 11 will also think they are fun.

Sleepover Party Planning

For peace of mind, begin planning your bash six to eight weeks in advance. This will allow you time to gather all the supplies that you need, including slumber party decorations, gifts, and menu items. Planning ahead also gives your guests time to RSVP and make travel plans, if needed. Don't panic if you find yourself short on time; you can still plan a great party! Planning ahead simply reduces the risk of conflicts with guests' plans and may increase your party’s attendance.

To simplify the rest of the party planning process, check out our Party Planning Timeline.

Sleepover Party Invitations

A simple invitation you can make is a pillow-shaped one. Just fold cards from white construction paper, and cut curves along the edges to resemble a pillow. Here are some other creative sleepover party invitation ideas:

• Print your party details in large block letters on clean, white pillowcases. Fold them and send them in manila envelopes.
• Cut out photos of traditional slumber party food, such as popcorn, pizza, and candy, and paste them in a circle on a piece of cardstock. Write your party details inside the circle of pictures.
• Punch a hole in the corner of a card-style invitation and attach it to a new toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste. Your guests can bring these items with them to the party! Mail your invites in padded envelopes.
• Send your invitation as a message in a bottle! Write your party details on a sheet of construction paper. Clean out old pop bottles, roll the paper into a tube, and slip it inside. Hand deliver these to your guests. To save time, consider our Message in a Bottle invitations.
• Include creative wording for your party details, such as:
  Are you ready for some giggles and gossip?
  Maybe some pizza, and some chips and dip?
  Then come to [birthday child’s name]’s party and bring your pj’s,
  ’Cause it’s going to be fun in so many ways!

If you're short on time, you can purchase personalized or pre-printed Slumber Party invitations online. 

Whichever invitation option you choose, remember to include what the children need to bring (change of clothes, overnight bag, sleeping bag, pillow), and what time the children will need to be picked up in the morning.

We recommend mailing your invitations three to four weeks prior to the party—any sooner and your guests may forget, any later and your guests may already have plans.

Sleepover Party Supplies and Favors

If you plan to use paper tableware and themed party supplies for your kids sleepover, our Suggested Party Supply List may be quite helpful. Please note that you may not need everything on the list; it is intended only as a guide.

In addition to the basic slumber party supplies (plates, tablecloths, etc...), you might also want to consider renting a movie. Here are our picks for perfect movies to watch at a sleepover:

• High School Musical (Rated G)
• Enchanted (Rated PG)
• The Love Bug (Rated G)
• The Princess Diaries (Rated G)
• Parent Trap (Rated G)
• Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (Rated PG)
• Over the Hedge (Rated PG)

Don't forget to send your guests home with goodie bags! You could give one large favor, such as a CD or DVD, or combine smaller sleepover party favors in a nice favor bag.

We all kow a little person that would love to celebrate "Pirate-Style" for their special day - below are some great suggestions to pull together a hearty time for your little mate!  ARRRRGGGGHHHH!

PIRATE BIRTHDAY PARTY DECORATIONS

The color scheme for this pirate party will be red and black. Use these colors for balloons, streamers and a tablecloth. Fashion a poster for the door that says "AHOY - WELCOME ABOARD!".
Transform your party room into a pirate's hide-out with pirate flags in various colors. If you're the creative type - paint brown boxes to resemble wood crates, add gold plastic beads and other "stolen treasure" to create the mood. Cover your table with a black table cloth and scatter gold chocolate (or plastic) coins and plastic jewels. Include a pirate chest pinata to the decorations and then use it as an activity later.

More Decorating Tips from Amazing Moms-- Add an inflatable shark and/or crocodile pool float toy. And if you really want to get creative hang some rope lines and rigging and place a few wood whiskey barrels in the party area.  As well, get your guests to create their very own pirate hats for the party.

ARGHHHH - A PIRATE WELCOME

Upon arrival bring the kids into the theme, by giving them a pirate patch, draw a beard with eye liner and tie a bandana around their heads or give them a pirate hat.

PIRATE PARTY GAMES AND ACTIVITIES

Walk the Plank
Use a 2x4 board to make the plank. The children take turns walking across the board. When they get to the end they all get a chocolate coin or a small prize. Repeat as many times as you wish.

"X" Marks the Spot
Play like Pin the tail on the donkey--Before the party make a treasure map from poster board and
mark an X for the location of the treasure. Also make a pirate flag (small squares of colored paper) for each child with a skull and crossbones on one side and double stick tape on the other. At game time cover the players eyes (one player at a time) with a pirate's bandana. Spin the player gently 2-3 times, then point him towards the map where he will attempt to find the treasure with his flag.
The player with the flag closest to the treasure wins!

Treasure Toss
Before the party decorate a cardboard box to look like a wooden chest, or use a real chest if you have one. Leave the top off or open. Make or purchase five bean bags. This is a simple bean bag toss game where the children will take turns tossing the bean bags into the box from a pre-determined location.

Variations - For older children make Draw a map on a large box. Cut three large holes in the map/box and the children will attempt to get the bean bags into the holes. Just like a bean bags toss game at a carnival. 

Pirate's Treasure Hunt
It wouldn't be a pirate party without the treasure! Before the party, purchase a Pirate Treasure Chest, or fashion your own, from a box. Use paper and paint to decorate. Remember that this box has "been under water" for quite some time, so it doesn't need to be beautiful. Fill the box with treasure; candy and small toys and then hide it in a secret location.  To play:  Present a rolled up "old" treasure map to the Party Captain, other wise known as the birthday child. This map contains the first clue. For example, "Don't walk the plank to meet your doom, the first clue's in the living room" --where they'll find the next clue etc. Leading finally to the LOOT!  Kit's tip...use an crumpled brown paper bag to make the notes...much easier than tea staining paper!

PIRATE BIRTHDAY PARTY FAVORS

Chocolate gold coins, mini telescopes, plastic jewels, candy and a toy parrot (beanie) all tied up in a black bandana or muslin cloth sack.

PIRATE CRAFT IDEAS

Telescopes Making telescopes with paper towel tubes, colored cellophane and a rubber band. Decorate with stickers, glitter and markers. Your little pirates will enjoy adding jewels and glitter to black foam swords...This take-away craft will double as an activity and a party favor!

Make Pirate Flags Pirates are identified by the flags their ship flies. For this activity the children will use craft foam, markers, glitter glue, and other art supplies to design their own flags.Before the party, cut the flag shapes from the foam, purchase a bucket of craft foam shapes and some quality craft glue.You may be able to find craft foam shapes with a sticky back - that would be easiest.

PIRATE PARTY CAKE

Make your own pirate cake with a regular 9x13 sheet cake. Frost part of the cake blue for the sea. Sand is frosted light brown with toasted coconut on top. Stand "Play-Mobil" or Fisher- Price Pirate figures on top. Party supply stores will carry plastic palm trees and maybe a boat!

PIRATE RUBY RED PUNCH

Little pirates will love the tasty jewels in this drink. The night before the party, fill ice trays with red fruit punch. Serve the red ruby ice in clear plastic cups with a lemon lime soda. 

QUIET TIME

Read a Pirate Story to settle the children down before pick-up.

All little ladies dream of having a tea party, dressing up and sitting down at a beautiful table with china cups and flowery table accents. So get ready to put on your fancy dress and a tea party hat because the ideas you need to throw a beautiful Tea Party are all right here!

Transform your home or backyard patio into a pastel colored tea party getaway. Serve tea, lemonade or punch along with dainty finger sandwiches and fruit. Your little Tea Party guests will be over the moon. 

All the ideas you need for the perfect Tea Party are divided into the sections for invitations , decorations, activities, games, costumes, favors, refreshments and cake. Read through the ideas and use the ones that work for you!

Invitations

Tea party invitations can be a tea cup, a tea party hat or just a beautiful tea party designed card. Just be sure to make them really special by using a fancy font and graphics that support the theme. Be sure to give the start time, end time, date and location of the Tea Party

Decorations

Set the mood for your party with great decorations like a garland archway and play some fun soothing music. Cover the party table with a flowery tablecloth and a beautiful centerpiece. Create a beautiful tea party setting for your guests to enjoy the finger sandwiches and tea.

Activities

Sometimes the memories are even more special when guests get to take home the artwork that they've created themselves at the party. Whether they decorate tea party hats, tiara, or a special decorative item, it will be something special that helps them remember and share their event with others

Games

What tea party is complete without some tea party games and events. Games like hot teapot, pin the cup on the saucer, tea bag toss or sugar cube relay, add excitement to the party and provide a time for everyone to interact. 

Costumes

A tea party just isn't the same without all the guests dressed with some fancy tea party dresses. If you are throwing a tea party, be sure to include a hat or tiara!

Party Snacks

Don't forget the snacks and drinks for all of your tea party guests.  Tiny finger food snacks and sweet flavored tea drinks or lemonade are always top of the list. But it's also fun to have some sweet pastries and fruit

The Cake

A tea cup cake is always popular with those who like to bake. For those who prefer a simple and less complicated treat, individual cupcakes and ice cream in individual cupcake liners can reduce the mess of serving treats under pressure.

Favors

Party favors are loved by everyone and say thank you for coming. In fact, adding a thank you to every favor bag, or sending them out after a party is always polite and appreciated gesture.

In the South Puget Sound we have numerous local businesses that are vital to the charm, character and livelihood of our community.  With the current economic state local businesses are struggling to keep their doors open as families tighten their monthly budgets.  As a direct result of this nationwide situation, retail consultant Cinda Baxter came up with the idea for The 3/50 Project to inspire consumer loyalty to the independent, locally owned businesses and storefronts that directly fund our communities.

The idea behind the 3/50 Project is to commit $50 each month to locally owned businesses, total. Maybe that means rethinking where you currently invest your money, opting to pick up that birthday card or pair of jeans in a locally owned business instead of the big box you’ve been going to. Or maybe it means eating out once a month because you realize slamming the breaks on all spending stalls economic recovery. It’s just that simple.

No one wants to see their favorite children's boutique, restaurant, coffee shop, dry-cleaner, etc shutter their doors so here at Macaroni Kid South Puget Sound we will be featuring a local business each week in hopes to support these deserving "little guys" that are out there competing for your household dollars. 

The featured business will not be a paid advertiser - it will be someone YOU, OUR SUBSCRIBER, let's us know about by emailing in - sarahb@macaronikid.com - and letting us know how important this local business is to your life.  When you email us, you will not only be helping a local business you will also be entered to win a fabulous giveaway as well! 

Let's do what we can to keep our community thriving during these challenging times!

For more info on the The 3/50 Project visit www.the350project.net

Macaroni Kid is excited to announce our BIGGEST CONTEST YET!!!  With a generous offer from Shop N Swap Children's Consignment Sales Events (www.shopnswapsales.com), Macaroni Kid is giving you a chance to WIN AN OVERNIGHT, FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, AT THE GREAT WOLF LODGE!!!
 
It's so easy to enter.  Sign up to subscribe to one or more of the Macaroni Kid sites below and you will be entered to win!  To subscribe, click on any link below and click on the "subscribe now" button, enter your info, and where it says "how did you hear about us", please write: CONTEST ENTRY AND WHAT SITE/S YOU ARE CURRENTLY SUBSCRIBED TO - it's that easy!!!

www.south-puget-sound.macaronikid.com (Auburn, Tacoma, Lakewood, Kent, Renton, Sumner, Federal Way, Gig Harbor, Bonney Lake, etc)

www.mercerisland.macaronikid.com   (Mercer Island)
www.northsound.macaronikid.com (Edmonds, Brier, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood, Mill Creek)
www.snoqualmievalley.macaronikid.com (Issaquah, Sammamish, Snoqualmie, North Bend, Fall City)
www.the-eastside.macaronikid.com (Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, Woodinville, Kenmore)

We would like to thank each of our loyal subscribers for your support, and we would also like to thank Shop N Swap Children's Consignment Sale for supplying such a generous prize!  Please visit their website for more info on their Children's, Women’s/Home Décor & Bridal Consignment Sales Events, Next Children’s Sale - March 20 & 21: www.shopnswapsales.com.

*Contest info: New subscription must be to a different site than you currently subscribe to.  No limits to how many sites you may subscribe to, up to four.  Up to four total entries per family.  By entering the contest, subscribers understand that their email address may be used for marketing purposes solely by Shop N Swap Sales, and Macaroni Kid, but will NOT be sold to any third parties.  Overnight is to be used at Great Wolf Lodge in Grand Mound, Washington.  Winner will be announced at the end of March on the Macaroni Kid sites, as well as each night at the Shop N Swap Children's Consignment Sale, March 20th and 21st, 2010.