Transformer Party

The 10-day celebration that was my son's 3rd birthday is finally over.  On Saturday, we hosted what was probably our first real birthday party, catered mostly to kids unlike his 1st and 2nd birthdays.  But who am I kidding, there was plenty of adult food, adult beverages and I even accidentally put a song on his playlist that featured the F bomb more than once.  Mom of the Year.  

  

We chose Transformer related colors of red, blue, yellow and black, and I tried to keep that consistent with the flowers, balloons, sweets and details - many of which were purchased at Etsy.  Here are some photos and links, if you care to see and you better...  

I found the banner at this lovely shop.  She will also customize it to include a name.  I bought plain goodie bags at Party City and stuck these decals on each to make them festive.  Yes, we had a fire, because the high was still only 60 degrees and yes, I know you live in the Midwest and it was warmer there.    

Straws for the bar in my Redneck Wine Glasses.  

A candy station, because what's a child's party without the mothers hating you for sending their kids home all jacked up on sugar?  Swedish Fish and Red Vines, Lemon Jelly Beans, Black Rock Candy and Blue M&M's, customized with Jack's face on them.  The goodie bags came from this darling shop, which I kept ordering more from as the guest list grew.    

A sweets table.  Because candy is not enough.  

I used a Martha recipe for the Whoopie Pies.  They were tasty, but did not come out looking like all the pictures of Whoopie Pies I see on the Internet.  WTF?  Why can't I be perfect like all of you??      

I used this recipe for the frosting, because I can't say no to marshmallow fluff.

Regular old blue jello served in shot glasses.  It never occurred to me to put vodka in half of them, but a few guests took it upon themselves to get creative with that.  

After making a Transformer Cake for his actual birthday, I was spent.  I can't do it all, people, I can't!  But Sweet Lady Jane can... 

Seven layers of yellow butter cake with French chocolate buttercream, I die.  I also still have a massive brick of leftovers in my kitchen if anyone wants to come over...

As I mentioned earlier, there was adult food.  A LOT, OF, ADULT, FOOD.  

No seriously, a lot.  If you're from the LA area, than you know how amazing Roscoe's, Bay Cities and Lemonade are.  So we decided on a spread of fried chicken with smothered potatoes and greens, a variety of Italian party subs with a make-your-own meatball sub station, and assorted fresh, seasonal salads.  The kids ate mac & cheese, dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets, pigs in a blanket and fruit.  I swear they ate fruit.   

By the by, have you ever seen a vat so big of mac & cheese?  5 boxes of the good old Kraft kind.  

And finally, a little favor dropped in each goodie bag - with the wrong date because we postponed the party - purchased here.  Check out the shop for all sorts of chocolate lollipops.  

Success!  Jack is already planning his 4th, p.s.  He has no idea what "a year away" means yet.