More party angst...

[aloha]

OK, ds's 4th birthday in Sept. Have drawn up a list of invitees - will check with nursery that have included the children he plays with most. Should I put invites in the children's trays? Is that the done thing?
Also I have a punch and judy man arrivign at 4pm to do his thing for up to an hour and a half (I think). Should I ask kids for 3pm or 2.30pm and what should I between their arrival and the punch and judy man starting? What should I do about food and cake? Are games appropriate at this age? HOw do I make this thing work and not just be horrible chaos and shambles and make me the joke mother of SE London?
Help!

When we did pass the parcel dh stopped the music by (surreptitiously) looking to make sure a different child opened a wrapper each time (important to have enough wrappers) and then for the final larger prize didn't look.

Party sounds fab, Aloha. Lucky ds, bet he has a fantastic time. You know my ds is a lot younger, but at his birthday I just left loads of 'big' toys around, indoors and out, which went down well. Easel, paddling pool, sandpit, tent, that kind of thing. Maybe have a few of those around for any kids who have so much energy they won't sit still for Punch and Judy - in the garden or another room?

aloha have you had it yet? if so how did it go?
We are having one on Sunday so would be glad to hear!

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my ds2 was 4 yesterday

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yes happy birthday to them - and dh as it's his birthday today.

BTW ds2 and dh got the same birthday present

and I'm really racked off with mums who tell me that little x is coming to ds2's party and then don't turn up - especially when I had to shell out £12 for little x's place

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ds1 and so far only is 3 today!

It's on the 17th. Party bag bits bought (party peices.co.uk) 4 cake tin ordered, punch and judy man confirmed and smallish number of children invited (verbally - have run out of organisation here). Now much remove all the crap from the garden. Thank God for this thread though.

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they both got PSPs

sympathy about the non-replyers - I hunted down all the mums who didn't reply at another child's party. Didn't do me much good though did it?

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Oh, well under control!
Mine is going to be as suggested for you so I'll let you know what happens on Sunday!

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PSP

good luck with teh party cod - I usually wimp out from organising stuff and go somewhere readymade like the local soft play - and I buy the cake - obviously too busy getting my nails done to be a proper SAHM

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not if I can help it

between the plasma TV, macmimi, PS2, portable DVD player, 2 x gameboys and now 2 x PSP, when would they find the time?