A Happy Feet Happy Birthday

We celebrated Whit’s sweet sixteen with friends in a Happy Feet Happy Birthday celebration last weekend! I turned the back yard into a penguin paradise for our penguin loving teen.

Back when we celebrated John’s SUPRISE sweet 16, Whit looked me straight in the eye and said “Do not ever do this for me. I do not want a surprise party!” And so, this event was no surprise. Whit invited the guests and picked the menu but left the rest to me. :-)

I already had most everything to create the perfect penguin paradise, including the igloo, movie projector and snow machine. The Christmas lights were the perfect sparkle and I turned the lights in the pool a deep blue.

I didn’t plan any entertainment, as I know these kids just like each other’s company. I just created a special, memorable place for them to hang! It was an absolutely FRIGID night, so we had two heaters going in the cabana and a fire on the porch. They also popped inside here and there to play ping pong in the basement.

I furnished the igloo with the sofa from the porch, beanbag from the basement, and small tables from the pool deck. I layered in plenty of pillows and blankets, and hung balloons I didn’t use on the cake table. We kept a small heater going while the adults were out here monitoring.

Part of my vision included projecting a movie for ambiance. I had a complete mental block on it and thankfully my creative friend LH suggested Happy Feet. I knew the kids wouldn’t sit down and watch it in its entirety, but it was the PERFECT backdrop.

We moved the ping pong / dining table over against the wall for the sweets and treats table. I made the balloon garland earlier in the day and already had the lit snowflakes. I used clear packing tape to attach the penguin balloons to the table.

Whit requested a cookie cake so I had it iced in all white. On top I made an igloo of powdered mini donuts and added penguin figurines. I dusted the whole thing with silver edible glitter. It took NO TIME and was so cute. The kids loved it!

As for the rest of the sweets, I hosted our annual girls favorite things party the night before and put all the leftover sweets on trays. :-)

Penguin party ware completed the look!

The hit of the party food were the hot chocolate bombs! I made them a few days in advance. Before the party I heated up TONS of milk and it stayed hot in my bunn carafe (I have used this SO many times since elementary school parties!) The kids were absolutely in awe of them and formed a line just as soon as we finished singing Happy Birthday! It was the cutest thing to see their reactions as the bombs exploded. <3

Whit wanted to cook hibachi for their main course, and Honey was happy to help! We had so much food I thought they’d never eat it all.

Alas, the vultures descended and before I could blink this is what was left.

I planned to serve the main food up on the porch but it was too cold. I brought it inside to the kitchen.

After dinner and some intense ping pong, we called the boys back out to sing Happy Birthday and eat cake. Because I am not normal I changed into Whit’s penguin onesie for the festivities. He was only mad that he didn’t think of it.

They made their hot chocolate and hit the hot tub for the rest of the night.

It was such a FUN celebration of one amazing kid!

Sources

• Clear tent
• Snow Machine and Snow Juice
• Electric Balloon Pump
• Hot Beverage Airpot
• Hot Chocolate Bomb Mold | Instructions
• Movie Projector Details
• Penguin figurines
• Winter balloon arch kit
• Penguin plate and napkin set
• Penguin balloons
• Edible glitter for food & drinks

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