Wednesday, April 10, 2013

How to Throw a Doggie Party: Adorable Decor

Let's just say that Milton's birthday party was the very first party that we have ever thrown, other than our wedding!  Neither Jeff nor I was prepared for all the work that goes along with putting on a party.  When I was stressed out, people would remark, "Why are you so nervous?  It is just a party for dogs."  Well, of course, it was a party for dogs, but those dogs didn't just walk here on there own; they came with all their human friends! 

A lot of intense preparation was needed so that everything could go just as planned.  Over my spring break, prep work was the bulk of what I did.  For each little event, food item, decoration that I wanted to incorporate, it required multiple trips to many stores - JoAnn's Fabric, Target, Wal-Mart, Dollar General, PetSmart, Starbucks, Kroger, Party City... The list goes on and on.  After all of the buying (I blew my budget!), there was all the early morning cooking and the trifecta of cleaning - vacuuming, mopping, and dusting.  Remarkable.  Milton had a ball, but I think for his second birthday, it will be a more subdued family event, meaning Jeff, Milt, and me.

Regardless of all the grueling work (ha!), I am very pleased with what we managed to pull together.  See the below:

I chalked our sidewalk to greet guests as they arrived!


Follow the doggie paw prints to reach the paw-ty!





Guests were greeted by balloons and a festive balloon wreath on our newly painted red door!

As guests entered our home, humans received party hats and four-legged friends got bandannas


Table display with pinata front and center!


Up close shot


Another one























Our next door neighbor, Anne, won this one, although I promptly forgot the exact number of bones, so I "think" she won...!




















As guests departed, they received a treat bag of homemade sweet potato treats (sliced and baked in the oven) along with Snoopy Snacks for their owners

Birthday boy - the reason for the celebration

As much as I grumbled, during my many crying jags, this party was completely worth it!  We have amazing friends, and it was the perfect event to showcase our new home and spend time with them.  Milton had a fantastic day too, which was our intention.  From now on, whenever I attend a baby shower, Halloween party, or backyard barbecue, I will genuinely appreciate much, much more all of the time, effort, and money these events take.  All in all, it is really people who love people who keep throwing and loving parties.  For Jeff and me, I see many more dinner parties in our future, but another full-blown party will have to wait probably 5 - 10 years!

Stay tuned for tomorrow for How to Throw a Doggie Party: Events and Food!

8 comments:

  1. WOW!!!! That really was a Party! I am glad it went well... :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Lynne! It was a blast. You still need to come down and visit.

      Delete
  2. Very cute. I hope your guests don’t give the snoopy snacks to their dog!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I need a nap and all I did was read about the party! YOU....are a gem!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Goob!

      Jeff was messing around with MY blog, and he attempted to make it so people do not have to have a certain type of profile to post comments. In doing so, he accidentally made it that comments need approval. So this entire time that I thought you lost interest in reading my blog, your comments were piling up in an Approval section that I didn't notice.

      I am SO happy to have you back! Each time I post, I will be about 10 minutes into my drive to school, and my phone will ding announcing the arrival of your comment. I missed that. Welcome back!

      Delete
    2. I missed you, too, and tell Jeff he's in the dog house.

      Delete
    3. I missed you guys, too, tell Jeff he’s in the dog house!

      Delete