It is that time of year

When I have to semi abandon my Halloween visions of grandeur and delusion and focus on the annual Birthday party for me wee lass who isn't so "wee" any longer... She has informed me that she will be "double digits" this year.. yes 10.. when did that happen? TEN?

Over the past 4 months is has been quite apparent as she has had one massive growth spurt from a size 6x to a 12... and has grown over 12 inches... I put her to bed one evening a shoe size 1 and she woke up a 3.. no kidding.. thank goodness I buy clothing in advance when I find it cute and irresistible in larger sizes or she would have gone to school in a Halloween Costume that day.

So I started perusing the web this am, in search of the perfect "theme" party ideas.. which I might add is slightly difficult when I have been given the bullet point list of everything that needs to be included as...

1. lime green
2. sonic the hedgehog
3. chocolate covered pretzels
4. Lemonade
5. dragonflies
6. tootsie rolls
7. Marshmallows
8. balloons
9. mint chocolate chip ice cream
10. a transforming eve

Not exactly what I had in mind when I asked her for a list of 10 things that would make her Birthday the best ever...I should have been more specific, after all, she isn't exactly 10 yet..
what was I thinking?

So on my relentless search to figure it all out I had a light bulb moment.. WAIT a minute...
MY birthday is so 2 weeks before hers.. why am I not focusing on the things that would make MY birthday rock out? So I have thought about it in my antibiotic altered mind..
and these are a few of my favorite things I would like on my wishlist....

1. A totally rocked out Desert table featuring these little

Tootsie Roll Steam punk cupcakes featured on Bakingdom

and a fabulous cake like one of these.

2. Someone else mixing the spirits all night long other than me and the list would include: A vodka martini with blue curacao pearls, Bleeding Heart Martini's and some kind of punch served in a really terrific punch bowl.

Recipe featured on Martha Stewart Serves 4

• 2 ounces dry vermouth
• 8 ounces premium gin
• Ice cubes
• 4 Pickled Baby Beets Recipe

Directions

1. Chill 4 martini glasses in the freezer or fill with ice water and let sit until frosty, about 5 minutes (pour out water). Add the vermouth, dividing evenly; swirl to coat the glasses, then pour out. Add gin to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously until chilled; divide among chilled glasses. Garnish each with a skewered pickled baby beet, and serve immediately.

3. A fun container of masks and mustaches provided for guest keepsakes and would be perfect for photo props during the evening.

4. of course this means I would have a Live Photo Booth because it is virtually impossible for anyone that I know to attend one of my parties and be able to remember to actually take photos of the event... including ME.

5. PERFECT weather so we could be inside and outside maybe even have a nice fire in the evening. Of course with a February 17th birthday living in North East Ohio the only way I am actually going to get that wish is if I transport my party out of state and somewhere south or out West. But oh what a lovely wish.

6. Decorations that would include Air Dimensional Designs
and preferably from the tentacle collection!

and last but not least, my guests leaving with a feeling of total party satisfaction.