My girls had quite the social calendar this weekend and ended up being invited to two birthday parties yesterday. Luckily they were both pool/beach parties so going from one to the next was easy.

One of the parties was held at the beach area of a lake community. The party was simple yet fun! The girls had a hula contest, played limbo, played in the sand and cracked open a pinata. Food was simple – hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill with fruit, chips and veggies.

I loved the cupcakes they served! The birthday girl’s mom said she had seen the recipe in Better Homes and Gardens magazine and that the cupcakes were super easy to make. Basically it is a cupcake frosted with white icing. You pipe blue waves on one half with blue icing. Sprinkle brown sugar or crushed graham cracker crumbs on the other side for sand. Add a paper cocktail umbrella for a beach umbrella and use soft peppermint candies as beach balls. Adorable!

The party favors were very creative, too. She took simple sand buckets and filled them with inexpensive beach toys – inflatable beach ball, crazy sunglasses, bubbles, silly straws and other cute goodies.

The other party was a basic pool party at a local community pool. The party was simple and the girls loved it. The best part was the creative party favor the hostess gave out - pool noodles! As each girl arrived they put their name on a pool noodle with permanent marker. They were able to use the pool noodles at the pool party and they got to take them home – definitely more creative than a goody bag!

Pool or beach parties are very simple, inexpensive and fun themes for kids summer birthday parties! Here are a few more items to help you get started planning your own pool party:

Beach Ball Pinata W/ Convert Kit Kit Flip Flop Deluxe Party Pack for 8 Aloha Luau Deluxe Party Pack for 8 Luau Party 3D Plastic Yard Sign Luau Party 18" Foil Balloon" Luau Party Confetti Summer Time Fun Deluxe Party Pack for 16 Fun in the Sun Square Dinner Plates (8) Hawaiian Girl Basic Party Pack for 8 Sun Pinata 1 pc Flip Flop Pinata 1 pc Personalized Surfboard Standees Set/3 Jointed Flamingo 45" Each Floyd Flamingo Each

Bored with burgers at every summer gathering? Kick it up a notch at your next summer party or Cinco de Mayo celebration by making it a Fiesta!

One of the things I like best about putting together a summer fiesta party is that rather than cooking over the grill the entire evening, we can actually enjoy visiting with our guests because everything for the summer fiesta party can be made in advance!

The Menu

Beverages

When you think about a fiesta, the margarita is the first drink the comes to mind! Go beyond the basic margarita with these awesome margarita recipes:

• Fine Living’s Margarita Recipes
• The Top 10 Margarita Recipes
• All Recipes has a large selection of recipes for Margarita’s too

For the kids, mix up some fruit punch and add some lemon lime soda or blend up some quick strawberry smoothies (blend frozen strawberries, orange juice and a banana) topped with whipped cream.

Appetizers

Start of the party with simple appetizers such as tortilla chips, salsa, guacamole and queso. Put out a tray of olives, jalepenos, red and yellow peppers and some fresh jicama strips for variety.

The Taco Bar

Use a long table or counter top to set up a taco bar for your guests. Guests will be able to build their perfect taco by mixing and matching ingredients to their individual liking. Suggested items for the taco bar include:

• Put out plenty of soft tortillas and heat up hard taco shells
• Seasoned ground beef
• Shredded pork
• Slow cooked Mexican chicken
• Depending on your guests, fish or shrimp might be a nice addition, too
• Put out plenty of shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, and shredded chees
• You may want to incorporates some chili peppers (visit Start Cooking for an excellent video on selecting and working with chili peppers)
• Don’t forget sliced black olives, salsa, guacamole and some sour cream for toppings
• Refried beans, black beans or pinto beans
• Spanish rice

Desserts

Quick and easy desserts are the perfect finish to a summer fiesta!

• Save time and mess by making yummy, no-fry fried ice cream balls in advance.
• Churros are a deep fried, doughnut like treat that are always a hit with the kids. You can make them yourself or find them ready to bake in the freezer section of many grocery stores
• Cinnamon crisps and fruit salsa are another simple and kid-friendly dessert – perfect for a fiesta party or any occasion!

Games & Activities

• You can’t have a fiesta without a pinata (learn how to make your own pull-string pinata)!  And pinatas are not just for kids. Mix it up and get a pinata just for the grown ups! Fill it with candy and grown up treats.
• Fill an inexpensive sombrero with inexpensive gifts. Have guests pass the sombrero while the music plays. When the music stops, the person holding the hat gets to pick a prize. Use your imagination – fill the hat with treats, tasks, challenges, and such depending on the age of your party guests. This is similar to a game of pass the present or hot potato.
• Organize relay races or if it is a nice day, try some fun backyard water games.

Looking for invitations, party supplies, and decorations for your Fiesta Party? Here are some of our favorites:

Personal Stationery: Party Invitations – Fun Fiesta – Ann Kelle Signature White Party Invitations – Fiesta Sombrero – Meri Meri Fiesta Party Invitations Fiesta Party Personalized Bag Tag Fiesta Party Personalized Invitation Fiesta Party Personalized Stickers Fiesta Party Personalized Thank You Note Fiesta Party Cutouts Assortment Pkg/3 Fiesta Party Mints -7 oz. Fiesta Drum Pinata Fiesta Five Point Star Pinata Fiesta Star Pinata 2lb Fiesta Candy & Toys Pinata Filler Studio basics: personal stationery party invitatio, Vibrant Fiesta Studio basics: birthday party invitations, Dora the Explorer: Fiesta Favors Fiesta Party Personalized Bookmark Fiesta Party Personalized Magnet Fiesta Party Personalized Luggage Tag