Sweet Sixteen

My Rebecca Kate is turning 16 in a few weeks. She's madly trying to finish her online driver's ed course, and, at the same time, she's working her parental magic on Sterling and I towards a Sweet 16 celebration.  

When my kids were younger I was a birthday party maniac. We had artist parties, dress up parties, American Girl parties, mad scientist parties, snake parties (with a real-life snake handler and real-life snakes). But as the kids hit their teens I thought they might be done with birthday parties. 

Not so much. 

Still, if my big kids want a birthday party, they have to drive the process. They are management; I work in party support.  But don't fret, I'm really uber supportive (which means that I do pretty much everything, I just make sure they really, really want it.)

Apparently Becca really, really wants a Sweet 16 party. (Yay! Yay?) 

She has eschewed the teen-favored Facebook group in favor of the printed invitation. [Don't tell, but the invite design is a mash up of some invites Becca found online. I hope I'm not violating any copyright laws. I don't plan on selling them. I'm just APPRECIATING the talents of real graphic designers.] Here's what we have so far: 

Obviously, some of the details are omitted. Not to keep things from you. Just from stalkers.

Currently, we are percolating some ideas for the party itself. That means 94% Pinterest, 6% our own brain power. That's how we roll. 

This is probably too juvenile for a Sweet 16, but I do love this Pinterest party. I'd at least like the big camera. 

My other idea is to do a big outdoor movie. Our tiny backyard is pretty much all pool, but if I could swing it, I'd rig up a big white sheet, set up a projector, and have a cool popcorn bar like this. 

An Italian soda bar could be fun. (I'm really into 'bars' -- popcorn bars, soda bars, omelette bars, smores bars. It's a theme with me.) 

via OurBestBites

For decor I'm thinking lots and lots of balloons. If you scroll to the bottom of this post, you'll see a bank of blue, helium filled balloons. I'm also quite taken with the simple, pastel-colored cakes. We've talked about cupcakes . . . but multiple cakes could be cool. Different even. 

Or . . . even though the rainbow cake has seen its day, I still think this version could be really fun. 

Just as a side note: Could someone please plan this party? And invite me? Pretty please? 

Any suggestions for Becca's party would be greatly appreciated. Also, real-life, working volunteers. I'll be passing around a sign-up sheet shortly. . .