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The Oliver's Madhouse

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22/04/2016

Joshua’s First Proper Birthday Party

Joshua's First Proper Birthday Party The Oliver\\\'s MadhouseA couple of weeks ago my little big guy turned 5 and after starting school in September he had been invited to his classmates parties almost weekly ever since so we felt that this year we wouldn’t escape the formal party and set about brainstorming …. 

Ollie and I went through every options open to us and all Joshua wanted was a bouncing castle like several of his class friends so a bouncing castle it was to be. 

I am a massive party bag hater as in they are so expensive for very little so in January knowing whatever party Joshua had he would be inviting the whole class so instead of making party bags I made sweetie bags.

I bought big tubs of Jelly Babies in January from the Christmas sales on mass (with a best before date of September) for £1 a tub and bought super Mario stickers and cellophane bags and managed to do all the sweetie bags for less than £20! 

Joshua's First Proper Birthday Party The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse
A few weeks back Joshua informed me that he wanted a “bowsers castle’ from off his favourite game and with super limited funds and not being aware of anyone with time to make it I stepped up to the plate and said I would make him a castle. 

I must have personally been super insane as I am rubbish at baking and bound to be even worse with icing since I have never iced anything in my life! 

Joshua's First Proper Birthday Party The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse
A few days before Joshua’s big party I set about making my first proper children’s cake and all I can say is that it was one of the most stressful times over the last few months, I ran our of icing … I cried. 

Joshua's First Proper Birthday Party The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse
However after almost having a breakdown I did finish it, it certainly wasn’t anything to get excited about however Joshua was chuffed so I will take that as a win! 

So with cake, sweetie bags and party food all complete we set of for the leisure centre to finally celebrate Joshua’s birthday the way he wanted to … bouncing! 

Joshua's First Proper Birthday Party The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse
The bouncing castle was AMAZING … it was humongous and with his friends in tow they were bouncing on this one one side of the hall and playing football on the other!

Joshua's First Proper Birthday Party The Oliver\\\'s Madhouse
Joshua’s face was utterly priceless for the entire afternoon and I am so pleased even with the stress of the organising and sorting I would do it again in a heartbeat to see his little face so happy. 

It may not have been perfectly presented, or Pintrest friendly but Joshua said it was perfect…. and that will do for me. 

Filed Under: Milestones Child Development

About Jaime

Jaime Oliver is a multi-award-winning parenting and family blogger from Nottingham who has been sharing her parenting journey online at The Oliver’s Madhouse since 2012. Jaime writes about life with her 2 little boys from days out and adventures to milestones and moments there is no parenting or family topic she wouldn’t share to normalise and celebrate the differences in parenting.



When Jaime is not writing about her family she is can be found writing about her journey of self-discovery in learning to cook and fall in love with her home again on her food and interiors blog notTHATJaimeOliver.com

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Coombe Mill - Fiona says

    25/04/2016 at 9:11 am

    I think the cake is brilliant and that looks like a super fun place for a party #MagicMoments

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      26/04/2016 at 10:35 am

      thanks Fiona the cake still makes me slightly cringe lol … Joshua was happy so my job is done 😉

      Reply
  2. Mel says

    25/04/2016 at 11:03 pm

    I can’t believe you made the cake yourself! The stress of doing something like that and failing miserably on the day has always stopped me 🙂 Yours looks great! Brilliant idea with the sweetie bags rather than party bags. They’re always full f junk anyway! I always make mine myself too.

    Reply
    • Jaime says

      26/04/2016 at 10:37 am

      Mel next time i am going to buy one lol i can’t cope with the stress again lol

      Reply

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