A Wizard of Oz Birthday Extravaganza

It started almost a year ago when I went to the Mattel Staff and Friends warehouse sale...

... one of the big bargains was the collection of 75th Anniversary Wizard of Oz character Barbie Dolls. In a moment of rash consumerism I bought the 3 dolls that were available. As my daughter already had far too many things in her allocation of Christmas prezzies, I decided to hold them over for her birthday.

If you've read other articles on my blog, you may recall that last year I had been planning to have a totally over-the-top birthday extravaganza for her, but that was cancelled a month out due to some poor behaviour. Well, I still wanted to throw that extravaganza so figured that it would have to be this year, given that it was her first year at school and all (we must celebrate these things, you know!). 

So I started thinking (some time around January or February) and decided that seeing I had the dolls, Wizard of Oz might be a great way to go in terms of a theme. All I needed to do now was let my lovely, independent-thinking, headstrong daughter come up with that idea. I didn't realise that a certain Disney movie that deals with some rather icy matters might put my plans in jeopardy. We will not discuss my underhand manoeuvrings here, but suffice it to say that after some protracted negotiations (which may have included some movie viewing), the daughter decided it was the best idea ever to have said Wizard of Oz themed party. 

What I forgot to factor in to all of this is that DD is notorious for coming up with her own ideas on the execution of things. No sooner did we have the theme nailed (somewhere around about May or June) than she says, quite matter-of-factly "we can make sock monkeys to be the flying monkeys". Given my guilt over my not-very-maternal manipulations to get the theme that I wanted, I said "yes, I guess we can" - I'm not sure whether my husband will ever forgive me for that one. 

That was the start of some really crazy brainstorming on ideas for props, decorations and food (not to mention trying to figure out how to make convincing flying sock monkeys as a kiddie craft activity). Google and Pinterest became my close friends.  The problem with using  the Wizard of Oz as a theme is that there are so many different sub-themes to choose from. Having a good (digital) look around at various party ideas, I decided that gingham themes and rainbows were not what I was after. Also, grandiose ideas aside, we really didn't have sufficient spare cash to go completely nuts so there was a bit of a challenge to do whatever I could myself ("myself" being a loose term that includes my very capable husband as well).

In the end I simply couldn't bring myself to eliminate too many aspects of the movie (yes, I know there was a book first, but most people haven't read that). Consequently, I ended up with a little bit of a lot. It was an interesting process figuring out some of the props and food, not to mention the whole sock monkey thing, so I am actually going to write about those things in separate posts to give you and idea of what worked, what didn't and things you might like to watch out for if you ever find yourself in a similar situation. 

In the meantime, I hope you like having a little look at my photo collection and don't forget to check out the supplier credits at the end.

Decoration/Props
Giant poppies, giant lollipops, yellow brick roads, witches legs and more....

Food
Yellow brick road, tornadoes, witches fingers, lollipops, rainbow fruit kebabs and ruby red raspberry cordial were on the menu along with some of the other standard party fare.

Party Bags
Included a Ruby Slipper cookie, Scarecrow Brain sweets, Tinman's Heart lollipop, Lion's Courage chocolate bar, Rainbow sour strap, a sticker sheet and a DIY themed Chatterbox (Cootie Catcher) template.

Cake
We actually had two separate parties so I wanted to make a cake that could be used for both. My friend made the figurines and topper for me because she is fabulous at that sort of thing (I owe you big time, D) and I just concentrated on the cake. Who doesn't like a rainbow surprise in the middle (apart from people with food colouring intolerances).

 

Supplier Credits:
Wizard of Oz clipart - Jazzy Patterns 
Cake Figurines & Topper - Bite Me Cakes 
Backdrop Printing - Little Dance Invitations 
Monkey Wing Embroidery Design - Urban Threads


And Most Important of All:
To my right hand man, super-duper helper and husband extraordinaire -I simply couldn't have done it without you.

Christmas Countdown 2013 - 17 Sleeps to Go!

Make a Picnic and go to the Carols

One of the key things for making these Advent activities a success in our house is being flexible. On the days that I get hung up about everything being executed in a certain way or exactly as the card says, the whole event is stressful and everyone is miserable. Today was one of those days where we simply had to let go of the plans - two exhausted pre-schoolers at a community Carol Service that runs until 10:30pm really wasn't going to work.

It is good to have a couple of contingency plans up your sleeve in case the planned activity needs to be scrapped. Thankfully Santa helped us out on this front by giving the kids some money boxes to paint when we had the photos taken the other day. Unfortunately, DS was too tired for even that so he gave up on his painting very quickly. DD enjoyed it though, and was very thorough with what she did.

To finish the day off we hired some Christmas DVDs, watched one all snuggled up on the sofa together and then sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".
We don't even have many pictures to show as it really wasn't a day where happy snapping was appropriate. 

So to make up for that, here is the Hoff.....

Christmas Countdown 2013 - 18 Sleeps to Go!

Decorate the Mantle

One day we will have a beautiful hall table to decorate, but I have been looking for one that is just right for a couple of years now and still haven't found it. Until I succeed on that front, the rather unattractive mantle above our unused fireplace gets the attention.

It was a good day to do this activity today. The little ones were tired and fractious so having an activity that didn't require too much of them was perfect. Last year we had lots of decorative items that the kids had made at daycare which were ideal for the mantle, but this year it was rather slim pickings. So we had to make do with stuff I had in my decoration stash. 

  
But first off, I had the kids string their decorated cones from the other day. I had some spare beads lying around so we knotted on on at the end of some gold cord and threaded on a cone used a large upholstery needle (because I couldn't find the kid-friendly plastic craft needles that I put in a safe place recently). Another bead was knotted on about 10-15cm above the threaded cone and so we continued until there were 3 cones on a string. 

We hung the cones and then continued with placing the rest of the decorations. Somewhat conveniently I happened to have a box of 3 red felt sleighs that I had bought at Ikea last Christmas. They went perfectly with the little reindeer that I *ahem* splurged on when I took the kids shopping for their decorations the other day. Throw in a few mini candy canes and hey, presto! Decorations sorted.

The most difficult part of this activity was getting the kids to smile for a photo. 

Christmas Countdown 2013 - 19 Sleeps to Go!

Make Gifts and Cards for Teachers

Well, it was mainly a card making exercise as I have been having problems figuring out what to give approx 10 teachers that isn't just junk for them to surreptitiously dispose of. Having said that, I think we are about 75% of the way there now. 

First off the rank today was the fairly boring job of designing the cards. I got the kids to choose some graphics and frames from the same sources as mentioned in this post. They then chose the colours for the frames. At that point they went stir crazy waiting for me to print and cut or trim the various bits and pieces. Due to some very poor organisation on my part, when I was finally ready for them to resume doing their bit, I was unable to locate the very important double-sided foam dots for layering the images. If the activity was to be finished today, we were now required to go to the local crafting superstore.

Before leaving on our expedition, the kids completed one other task - making the artwork for some of our gift packaging (thanks, Aunty Jane, for the clever idea).

While out at the shops, I decided to pick up some "Merry Christmas" stickers to add to the cards as well as procuring the all important foam dots. Once home, it was a hive of industry as the children engaged in some elementary paper tole. I was impressed at how accurate their placement was given their diminutive size.

Applying the "Merry Christmas" stickers was not quite as impressive, but that was one of those things that I tried to let go of (not 100% successfully I might add). I should have realised that if some wonkily (yes, that is a word in my world, I think) placed stickers were bothering me, letting the kids write in the cards was just asking for trouble. My inner-control-freak had a really hard time letting go of the wrongly placed words, even though I know that is what makes a handmade card from a child worthwhile. I ended up hurting my son's feelings and I am not feeling the best about today's efforts.

I am glad that today's activity is over. I think the kids are too. These Countdown Activities are supposed to be fun and this one turned bad in the end. I hope the teachers like their gifts anyway, because even though my mood spoiled the fun, the children still made them with affection. 

Finally, there is no Christmas Song today. After a long and inspiring life, one of this generation's "greats" achieved his final freedom today. 

RIP Nelson Mandela - thank you for all that you have given humanity.

Christmas Countdown 2013 - 20 Sleeps to Go!

Colour in Christmas Cones

Months ago I found these really cool colour-in Christmas cone printables doing the rounds on Pinterest. They appeared to be the ideal activity for a girl who has just spent 7.5 hours at preschool, so they were slated for today. Only problem was that when I went to download the files, I discovered that not only were they not free (just cheap at US$4.49) but I would also need to set up an account with all my contact details etc in order to purchase them. Really! I am not willing to give all my details for a digital download purchase of $4.49. 

So, what to do? Go and consult with my friend Google, that's what. And that is where I found these cool AND free cone decoration printables. The only drawback is that they come pre-coloured, so rather than a "colouring" activity, it became an "embellishing" one. Did the kids care about the change of plan? Absolutely not!

In a fit of uncharacteristic organisation, I actually prepared (almost) everything that was required for the blinging session before I left to collect DD from preschool. 

Fortunately I had the forethought to do a full set of cones for each child. I suspect there may have been blood spilt had they been required to agree on who got which designs. The industry was amazingly focused and there was a lot of glitter everywhere (there still is). DS demonstrated amazing precision dotting his Christmas Tree cone with my not-as-cheap-as-poster-paint Liquid Pearls. He then demonstrated some very "interesting" creativity when he stuck mini googly eyes on top of said Liquid Pearl spots (while I tried to not run off screaming words like "sacrilege").

We had to leave the artworks to dry before we curved them into their cone shapes. That was a pre-bedtime reprisal. If you are going to try these cones yourself, go straight for the double sided tape to secure the sides - I ended up just sticking my fingers together with glue.  

So, now me and my industrious little elves need to find a home for today's creations while you experience the Elves Lament....

 

Christmas Countdown 2013 - 21 Sleeps to Go!

Dress Up for Photos with Santa

There is something that I am not overly keen on with regards to Santa, but I can't tell you what it is. I spent the first couple of years of parenthood trying to avoid Coca Cola's Big Red Fella. But, as with a lot of my parenting theories, this was an epic fail. EVERYONE expects the kids to be au fait with Santa and his role in their consumer driven lives. So unless you want your kid to be a social oddity, it is hard to stand firm on principles that aren't entirely clear in the first instance.

I have now decided to not be such a grinch and I have even started letting my kids have overpriced photos with Santa. However, if I am going to relent to such ridiculousness, I am certainly not going to take it seriously. That's why I fully encourage the kids to dress up.

Last year they went in Elf suits which were very cute. This year, DD got to choose the Christmas Dress Ups back in early November. I was a little bemused when she went the way of the Reindeer, particularly as her costume involves a mask. But hey, we roll with these things!

So, dressed in Christmas T's (which me made as one of last year's Christmas activities) and reindeer headwear, we set off to Santa's "grotto" (well, that would be less "grotto" and more "stage"). Watching people do second takes as they saw DD go past with her mask on was very entertaining. Even Santa was a little taken aback by the outfits - he actually asked for a copy of their picture!

Following the strenuous activity of being photographed, we refueled on babycinos and Gingerbread Santas (there's something a bit wrong with that, huh) in one of the department store cafes. That involved passing another Santa who was equally as taken with my little reindeer.

Thanks to the Reject Shop for having such tacky but entertaining antler sets! Now over to Bon Jovi for the final word...

Christmas Countdown 2013 - 22 Sleeps to Go!

Make Paper Decorations

Today was a Preschool Day for DD so the activity needed to be relatively simple. Along with the two previous activities, this one is a repeat on last year. I have to admit that making paper chains and snowflakes wasn't a particularly engaging activity last year so I thought I might have a few other alternatives up my sleeve. In my travels I found a couple of fun sites:

• Snowflakes
• Paper Streamers

Thinking that streamers might be the way to go, I went out and purchased some crepe paper streamer rolls. I guess I had rather grandiose notions of the play room being heavily decked out in streamer goodness.

What I keep forgetting is that my children's memories are long and they are creatures of habit. As soon as they saw what the activity was they were off looking for paper to make paper chains. We have a good supply of coloured construction paper so they just chose the colours they wanted to use, I cut the sheets into strips, then they got stuck into assembling (stuck - haha, i made an unintentional pun). The construction paper is somewhat repulsive to sellotape so it was a good thing that we happen to have 2 staplers in the house!

  
DS, who is only 3, found the stapling somewhat tricky so he required a fair bit of help. DD fared better and both of them persevered until their chains were about 1/2 a metre in length. From there it was a quick segue into paper snowflakes before I had a chance to suggest anything else.

I hadn't really been prepared for Snowflakes, so I had to do a bit of a rummage in my paper stash. I found some lovely lustered paper and set to folding it, only to find that it was impossible for the kids to cut through. After a bit of head scratching, I remembered that we had kept the tissue paper from yesterday's Christmas ornaments - problem solved (with the added bonus that I now feel like some kind of recycling superhero!).

So, we made paper chains (I finished the rest) and snowflakes (DS required a fair bit of help with the scissors on that one) and there is absolutely no sign of those streamer garlands that I thought would look so pretty. 

Who cares! These activities are supposed to be all about the love...