Recently, Larkspur sat down with our copy of Naturally Fun Parties for Kids and started flipping through the pages. I asked Lark to look closely, and see if she might recognize anything in the pictures.
I contributed to the Egg Dyeing Spring Garden Party, and it didn’t take Larkspur long to find my pictures there, including one of her!
When I asked her how she felt, seeing her little mouth above a basketful of eggs that we dyed, she replied with a shy grin, “embarrassed!”
But as she studied the photos some more, I like to think that she was aware that this is really special.
I am honored that a few of my photos made their way into this lovely book that Anni Daulter and Heather Fontenot created.
We think that it’s kind of hilarious that my need to organize and categorize (and Seth’s- he drew the little lines to create places for the green eggs!) is evident in some of the photos!
What about the book itself, beyond the fun of seeing our photos in it?
The truth is, I’ve never thrown a proper party. The mere thought has always overwhelmed me. But, as I read through the different party ideas, I found myself getting inspired. I started thinking that I could do this, and reading through these great party ideas makes me want to! Anni has a way of being that mom who actually makes fairy houses for all the kids coming to her daughter’s birthday party, without making me feel inadequate for not doing that sort of thing. Instead, she breaks down the components of throwing a good party into bite sized pieces, pieces that even “often overwhelmed me” could handle.
You can use the themes as guides to help you give a party exactly as described, or find inspiration to create your own celebration, letting the ideas be a springboard for your own creation. Each party is described in detail, from the title and theme to a supply list for projects, materials and food. The lists encourage using items you already have, or can be found secondhand. The theme of reduce and reuse is prominent throughout the book, and I love that. The supply list is even broken down into easy to read categories. For instance in the egg dyeing party the categories are: printed paper invitations, outside decor, table decor, games, and recipes. Then right next to that is a timeline (This feature really struck me as important. I would need the timeline.) There are tips for getting ready 2 weeks prior to the event, 1 week prior, the day before, and the day of the party. Seriously, with that kind of help, I think I could do this.
Each party theme is supported by instructions for making handmade invites, great recipes, crafts, and activities. Everything you need is included, but presented in a way that you can pick and choose what works for you. But if you really need a no brainer, it’s all there for you. Most of the parties encourage outdoor locations, which I think really cuts the stress level down and lets you use nature to help decorate!
The bottom line is that I am truly loving Naturally Fun Parties for Kids. Thank you Anni and Heather!
Anni is generously offering two of my readers a copy of Naturally Fun Parties for Kids. For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post. Be sure to hop over and “like” the the Naturally Fun Parties for Kids Facebook page for extra inspiration! Comments will close on Monday. Two winners will be chosen randomly and announced within this post.
Comments are closed. The winners are:
Open Roads Mama Amber: “Yes, please! The book sounds amazing, I always need inspiration in the party for kids department!”
and Brittany: “I would love to have a copy of this book! Thanks for the chance to win one :)”
Thanks Anni and Heather!
Looks great, thanks for the giveaway!
My oldest has been asking to have a party. This book would really help me out!
planning a fun “chicken themed” b-day party in May. This book would be sooo Fun!
LOVE your blog!!
I would love to win!
I have quite the party planning daughter who would put this book to very good use!
sounds so fun! would love it!
Would love to have this book in my collection. Thanks!
I would be honored to have my photos in a book- how exciting. I do enjoy party planning and the actual event. Last time we had a party I said I was going to keep it simple but ended up making all the food detailed and homemade (and delicious) because that is what I prefer and I find the prep and planning enjoyable.
My 11yod throws parties for any reason (or no reason at all). She would love this book!
I would love a copy!! Thanks for the chance! xoxo
We would love to have a copy of this book! My kids especially would be thrilled if I managed to get things together to have a “real” party! They are always happy with anything I do though, even if it’s nothing more than a cake with a few candles on top, they always seem genuinely pleased with our family’s celebrations.
Looks like a really beautiful book! I love your photos as always.
Becca
So many of my favorite bloggers are in this book. I would love a copy!
That book sounds amazing! I’d love to be entered, thank you!
Ooh I would love a copy of this book! It looks like it might just cut thro’ the wall of terror I feel even thinking about kid’s parties! Thank you for the chance to win.
I’d love to win this book!!
It looks beautiful, thanks for the chance
Awesome! My oldest turns 4 in 2 weeks…I am still trying to figure out what I am going to do 🙂 Thanks for the chance!
I love the idea of this book and can’t wait to see more of it.
that looks like a wonderful book! thank you for the giveaway!
I love parties!
Lisa
What a neat book! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
This sounds awesome! I would love to win.
I also feel overwhelmed by all the planning nice parties seem to take – I would love to take a look at a book like this!
Oh count me in! I work in an afterschool program and we are always looking for creative ideas for celebrations. My mother always planned the greatest birthday parties for us. I still remember my 3rd grade luau themed party 🙂
That’s my kind of book!
I’ve heard about this book elsewhere and I think I need to check it out. We’ll be having our first real party here later this summer too. Loving the ideas and photos I’ve seen so far 🙂
Sounds exactly like the inspiration I need! Would love to read this book.
We just had our first friend party last weekend. The actual party itself was great. The planning was a little overwhelming. I would love to have a book like this for feature parties. By the way I LOVE the eggs!
This book looks wonderful!
Woohoo! Gotta plan another 1st birthday party in 12 days! Eek!
Your pictures look so pretty in the book. It really does look like a nice book. It must be so nice seeing your photos in print. I think I am a better stand back and let someone else organize and I’ll take pictures instead type of person 🙂 But really beautiful pictures and the book really does look very inspirational.
This looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance. I have two parties coming up and this would be a great reference!
Does this mean you will be hosting a party soon?? LOVE that idea. Ha! I was thinking I need to get a lady’s night together sometime soon too.
count me on this book!
Would love a copy of this book. Great photographs!
With 5 (soon to be 6) kids in the house we are always up for some great party inspiration! Looks like I fun book!
Looks like a great book, and I would love a copy! I’m looking for fun alternatives to plastic and cartoon characters.
What a lovely book! The photos look amazing and I would really like to read about all the party ideas. We recently had my daughter’s birthday party at a nature center (her first friend party) because I could not stand the thought of Chuck E Cheese or some other loud, flashing venue. This book sounds right up my alley. Thanks for the giveaway.
Hi – sounds fab! I would love to have a copy of this. I’m in Scotland – if it’s ok to enter.
It looks like a perfect book to help in an area that always seems lacking in my home. Thanks so much.
That IS something special and a big congratulations to you! I would love to have a copy of this book. Thanks for doing a great giveaway!
How lovely! Hoping it’s ok to enter from England :0)
Oh, I have heard so much about this book. My daughter’s first birthday is coming up — I don’t think we’ll be throwing a bash for that one, but we could definitely use it for later celebrations…and maybe even my birthday?! 🙂
“that mom who actually makes fairy houses for all the kids coming to her daughter’s birthday party, without making me feel inadequate for not doing that sort of thing” I think that I need some input from this marvellous woman! Count my name “in the hat”!
I would LOVE to win a copy of this book for our home library! Please please oh PLEASE! We have four boys ages 5 and under and two of them have birthdays coming up. One will be a first birthday and the other is a fourth birthday, BUT I’m pretty sure it will be the first party he’s ever had. Both of these boys are our foster sons (the youngest soon to be adopted by us) and it would be sweet to do something special for them.
Ooh I need to do my first kids party in June (daughter is 5 and I can’t get away without doing one this time). I am feeling a bit daunted so this book would be great !
Sounds fun!!
Looks like a wonderful book. I would love to own it!
Looks like a beautiful book! Please enter me, and thank you! 🙂
It seems to be a very nice and interesting books. I would love to own it too!