Welcome to the Place Under the Pine!
A Blog about our Life: Family, Renovations, DIY, Crafting, Cooking, Parenting, Gardening, and life in our little world.
Our oldest turned 12 (already!) and requested a cactus themed birthday party. Jen came up with some great ideas, found some awesome cactus decor, and hand made a few items.
Cactus hugs leave a mark
Apparently, cactus and holographic go together like peas and carrots. Therefore, cactus shaped holographic cupcake toppers are a go:
Holographic paper in cactus shapes - a hit!
And old pot, some pebbles, and a sink-scrubbing-sponge cut into the shape of a cactus make an ideal centrepiece for the party's table.
Cactus - scrubbing sponge style
Michael's is on trend with cactus shaped cups. Fill with 'catus juice' (aka lemonade) and thrill the tastebuds of your party goers.
Cactus shaped cups
If you have some skills in the baking department then sugar cookies - cactus shaped of course - are the way to go. Green icing and some spikes to top them off. Watch your tongue!
Cactus cookies with spikes!
Loot bags are easy with this theme, and can potentially last a lifetime. Real cacti are inexpensive and they really wow guests. It's like giving a pet - a totally unexpected surprise!
Give plants. The gift that keeps growing.
The party took place at the darkly named Boiler Room. No, there was no boiling going on, but, there was some hardcore rock climbing.
The new year begins with the birthdays of two PUTP citizens - Oskie and Elli.
Oskie is now three. He will tell you this by putting up three of his fingers. To celebrate this milestone a party was held. A couple of his little friends were invited over and they partied like the penguins do. There were balloons, games, and cupcakes.
A waddle of balloon penguins
Toss the fish...
...into the penguin!
If you recall, local resident Elliott is mad about snow. His two passions in life are shovelling snow and playing hockey. His favourite season is winter. And, we have never heard him utter the words, "I want to come in because I'm too cold".
Combine his love of winter activities with his friends and you have his ideal birthday party.
A few of Elli-bellies friends met at the local hill to celebrate his birthday. The weather was ideal, there was lots of snow, and the hot chocolate was warm. We partied for a couple of hours - fun in the snow.
The hill was covered in hard packed and icy snow - ideal tobogganing conditions.
Estimated speed 65 km/hr
Estimated speed 0 km/hr
After an hour or so everyone took a break to recharge with some hot chocolate and a cupcake.
The thermos worked great at keeping the chocolate hot
Maybe too much whipped cream Oskie?
A Minecraft Creeper cupcake
Creeper cupcakes...it's a Minecraft thing
Full of chocolate, sugar, and creeper?...they played in the snow.
Is that Frosty or did someone cover Oskie with snow again?!
Spray bottles filled with coloured liquid - endless fun...until the water runs out.
Back to the hill until your parents come kids. You're welcome parents for tiring them out.
There are so many people in the boy's life that one party was not enough. The next day a similar party was held with extended family to celebrate both boys birthdays. Sledding, back to the Place Under The Pine for hot chocolate, then cake.
30 YEARS AGO TWO MONUMENTAL THINGS HAPPENED - MATT WAS BORN AND THE 80's STARTED!
The
PUTP jumped into their Delorean and took a trip back 30 years in
celebration of Matty's 30th spin around the sun. Synth heavy music, the
smell of hairspray, lack of smart phone distractions, moustaches (or
whispy attempts at them), OV bottles, the dangling of bangles, pacman
around every corner...even the Kool Aid man bursting through a wall! All
these things and more filled the PUTPs. Fun reminders of the 80's were
everywhere.
The citizens of the PUTP dressed up for the occasion, of course. They are always up for a practical lesson in history - especially fashion history!
No, this is not a throw back Thursday pic!
Every other guest that came also showed their passion for 80's fashion! Totally tubular dudes (and dudettes)
80's ladies.
The men wore more headbands than the ladies!
Madonna anyone?
As a bonus, a few of 'celebrities' made appearances.
The infamous PBS 'happy trees' artist Bob Ross not only showed, but, came bearing a painting of a landscape. Thanks Bob.
Mr Ross & his businesswoman wife.
A young Corey Hart, Bryan Adams, or Billy Idol (nobody actually confirmed his identity) rocked the place with some heavy guitar riffs and speedy neck tapping solos.
Promo picture only - not to be reused without permission
Even that 80's 'game' RUBIX cube grew some legs and walked in.
The original mind-craft game.
Everywhere this motley crew of guests looked 80's decor assaulted the senses.
A random decorated door.
A mirror framed by cassettes
A rubix cube side table
A 'nobody puts baby here' sign and a dead plant (just like Mama used to do 'em in the 80's)
VHS tapes and 80's era candy
Pac Man
Records
Where is the beef? Outside on the grill.
No place was safe from the flashbacks...even the can.
Garfield and a 1983 Wayne Gretzky book - that there is some good readin'
Who hasn't tried that number?
The official birthday cupcake-cake was garnished with faces of the 80's. Of course, everyone wanted Tom Selleck.
Olivia Newton John, Wayne Gretzky, Vanna White, and Tom
How many faces can you put a name to?
ET, Twisted Sister, Madonna, Rambo, Qbert, Hulk
In the end, a Magnum PI look-a-like snagged the prized Tom Selleck cupcake.
Oh Magnum PI.
Pee Wee Herman
HEY YOU GUYS!
Thanks for stopping by
Extra extra: In an attempt to give you a feel for what the party sounded like...
UltimateEighties internet radio station - All you need to play when having a throw back 80s party. Hear the music we had on the ghetto blaster...also known as the bluetooth speaker (whoops).
