Jenson’s 4th Birthday Ice Cream Party

This time last week Jenson turned 4 years old! Even writing that down seems odd because I still keep saying to people, ‘oh yes but he is only 3’! Well, that is no longer correct , of course, because he is now 4 and one week. 

We had a lovely couple of days as the day before his birthday, on the Sunday, we had a little birthday party for a handful of friends, Burton and his cousins – just 8 in total including the birthday boy and his brother so quite mangeable compared to other parties I have hosted! (Yay!).

While I got the food ready, Daddy and the boys set about inflating and putting up the helium balloons .Remembering the house which flies away with lots of balloons tied up on its roof in ther film Up,  Jenson wanted to see if this would work with him!!

 

My two LOVE balloons so we always have to ensure we have some at every party we hold, and to be honest sticking some up with a birthday banner is a cheap yet effective way of decorating a home, and getting everyone in the party mood 🙂

One quick change later, and the (almost) birthday boy was ready to greet his guests in his new monkey tee shirt, which he was allowed to have a day early.

 

Jenson decided early on what theme he wanted for his party this year (I think he made his decison last summer in fact!), an Ice Cream Party, because after his monkey, and baked beans and yogurt, ice cream is his next favourite thing!

 

Before the party tea was ready, the children decorated an easter bonnet each and then played some party games of Pass the parcel and Sleeping Lions .

   

 

Then it was party food time!

 

 

So rather than make a cake shaped like an ice cream, I decided to make various cupcakes as part of the party tea, and then serve up ice cream for the finale with lots of different toppings for the children to choose to top their ice cream with instead. They all loved this especially when the toppings were all served on a special ice cream van stand.

 

It only lasted 2 hours but it went by so quickly and very smoothly aswell – woooo hooo! The party bags went down well with the guests especially as each one had a balloon attached to take home

On his actual birthday, Jenson woke up very excited and not too early,  and was down stairs opening his presents and eating some birthday chocolate before breakfast! Burton found it hard not opening anything himself, so Jenson was kind enough to let him help!

 

 

 The day was spent at home with family popping in throughout and lots of presents being unwrapped and played with.

 

I made him a number 4 shaped birthday chocolate cake covered in mini, mini chocolate eggs and instead of candles, I added a number 4 sparkler. Bless Jenson though, because he kept trying to blow it out, but, of course, it didnt work!! It made is all laugh.

 

 

 

Happy 4th Birthday Jenson – I know you had a great time because you got teary at bedtime protesting that you did not want to go to bed, because you did not want your birthday to end!!

Now all that is left to do is get on with sending out some thank you cards – featuring, of course, a monkey!!

 

Some thank you’s :

A party would not be a party without some balloons and the ones featured in this post are helium ones which you can blow up yourself at home, which is just genius. Available from most supermarkets (mine came from my local Asda in the end as Tesco had sold out!), the Balloontime kits come in a small box complete with a small heluim tank and 30 vibrantly colourful latex balloons and ribbons with which to tie each one. We have actually used these balloon kits before and they always get admiration from the party guests at how fab they look.  

 

The only downside with helium filled balloons, is that they are only really at their best on the day on which they are inflated, as by the following morning they do not stand as proud!! However, considering they cost less than £25, I think this is such good value as 30 helium filled balloons from a balloon supplier would cost considerably more (trust me, I know from experience).  Such a simple accessory for a party, yet these beautiful balloons will always ensure that a party has that wow factor! 

“I’m working with BritMums and Balloon Time as part of the “Celebration Club”, highlighting inventive and fun ways of using balloons. I was provided with a Balloon Time helium kit and have been compensated for my time. All editorial and opinions are my own. Visit www.balloontime.com for more information and party inspiration.”

The wonderful monkey tee shirt which Jenson was modelling and the funky monkey thank you cards were from Zazzle, an online site which specialises in personalising gifts and stationary. You name it and you can personalise it! The site is very easy to use and the quality of the items is very good, the tee shirt for example is made from 100% cotton and the transfer looks like it will last well too. So far after its first wash, it looks as good as new still.

Jenson loves his tee shirt and although a little on the large size at the moment, he will soon grow into it – I just hope his love of monkey’s will still be as strong!!! 

I was allowed to order some items from Zazzle for the purpose of a review. All opinions are my own and honest.