The $ 100 Birthday party challenge- countdown begins........

The Birthday party is next Saturday and I have 8 days to go. I am doing quite Ok as yet only spent about $35 that leaves me with $65 for food,activities,cake etc.
will that be enough !!! I have 8 confirmed guests and 3 maybes. Any suggestions
on Princess Party menu can feed about 12 kids under $25 ??

Cupcake Stand

Found these videos will try to make them.

Home made Knights Costume for The $100 challenge Princess Party

We have quite a few Boys invited for our party so of course we need some costumes for them too as I lil girls are all dressing up in princess costumes. Here are my Knights
costumes

The $ 100 Birthday Party Challenge - Favors

The birthday parties are just 2 weeks away and I am in the middle of preparing for them. The first thing I did was to make spreadsheet of all the items I need for
activities,food,favors etc. Next step was shopping well (This is my favorite part)
for the three year old's Princess Party I decided to buy most of my favors the day after
Valentines Day,I got a lot of cute pink favors the were 50% off about 75-50 cents for a pack of 8 favors not bad!!

The Tiaras I picked up from the dollar store last year as I knew we'd be having a
princess party and I keep a look out year round for supplies. I also pick up these really nice Knights helmets and swords ,for the boys that will attend.

Lastly on my shopping trips I also picked up these adorable pink glass's just right
for a princess, 2 for a Dollar

The cost so far about $35

MY birthday challenge- The $ 100 birthday party

So I have two birthday parties coming up next month. My daughters are turning 9 and 4
they are just one day apart 13th and 14th!!Throwing one birthday party can be stressful
but two is insane! Lot of people ask me why I don't have a combined party for the two?
The problem is that my nine year old has nothing in common with the 4 year old, they have very different likes & dislikes. The 4 year old is a lil princess and miss preteen has long outgrown all things princess,and thinks its totally uncool!!
I believe a birthday is a celebration of the individual.and the party should reflect the child's personality.
Challenge # 1
The Princess's Castle party was a no brainer
I am building a Castle out of cardboard boxes
Challenge #2
The preteen party was s challenge. We had all but decided on a hiking trip with a picnic but realized that its rainy season here in California and doing anything outdoors is risky.My daughter suggested they do a Broadway style play at home!
Now I thought that was a neat Idea. So we are doing the Lion King.
All the guests get to dress up as the animals characters.We will set up a stage and they get a chance to sing dance and perform a mini play.

The Real challenge is this year, well I don't want to do a over the top party like I usually do.
This year I am setting a budget of $100 for each party. So lets see if I can throw a
fancy birthday party for under $100!!!

Oscar Viewing Party-table

Ray found this really cool

Oscar Viewing Party

The Oscars are on next week and I am throwing an Oscar viewing party at home

Found this great link On the Official Oscar website
Great ideas for a Oscar Party.
They have the Printable Oscar Ballots for this year and other games like the Oscar Bingo
etc everything you'd need for a Oscar party.

Here our our themed recipes

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

here is a Video for Shrimp Creole - A New Orleans Classic


For the movie Milk Here is the Baileys Milk Shake Recipe



For Slumdog Millionaire I choose Pav Bhaji a quintessential Mumbai street food
Its delicious and Spicy

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Large knob of butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon each ginger
1 heaped teaspoon garlic paste
1 green chilli, sliced
2 teaspoons pao bhaji masala/substitute with curry powder & Paprika
1 teaspoon coriander powder
Salt to taste
1 medium tomato, chopped
2 medium potatoes, boiled and roughly mashed
150g/5oz cauliflower florets,cut into very small pieces
1 large handful of frozen green peas, defrosted
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon garam masala
1 handful coriander, chopped
2-3 soft white bread rolls

Heat oil and a teaspoon of butter in a large non-stick frying pan. Fry onion until golden. Add ginger, garlic and chilli. Cook for 30 seconds. Stir in spices. Cook for 30 seconds. Add seasoning, tomatoes , cook for four minutes. Stir for five minutes, adding a splash of hot water. Add veg and 250ml (9fl oz) hot water, bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes, mashing. Add peas and two tablespoons butter. Cook for two minutes. It should be thick and sloppy, so add water as required. Season, add remaining ingredients. Cook for another minute. Lightly toast the rolls and serve.





Gluhwien for The Reader
Ingredients

* 4 quarts dry red wine (zinfandel, merlot, burgundy, etc.)
* 1 pint brandy
* 1 cup sugar
* 6 cinnamon sticks
* 12 cloves, whole
* 1/8 tsp allspice
* 1/8 tsp mace
* 2 oranges, sliced
* 1 lemon, sliced

Directions

1. Pour the wine into a large pot and begin heating over low heat.
2. As it begins to warm, add sugar and spices. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
3. Add the brandy.
4. Heat thoroughly, but do not allow to boil!
5. Add the lemon and orange.
6. Steep for about 1 hour over low heat.
7. You may add more sugar during this time if desired, stirring well so it disolves.
8. Serve hot and garnish with orange slices. A stick cinnamon could also be used.