Timeless Sesame Street party

"Timeless Sesame Street party"

Sun.Star Davao, Jan. 24, 2009

“Sunny Day Sweepin' the clouds away

On my way to where the air is sweet

Can you tell me how to get,

How to get to Sesame Street”

Who isn’t familiar with the catchy theme song of American television’s longest running children’s educational program?

Before anyone heard of Barney, Dora the Explorer and Blue’s Clues, only one kiddie TV show reigned supreme—Sesame Street!

As a preschooler, I remember being glued to the show as I learned letters and numbers and became fascinated with Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Ernie, Bert, Grover, Oscar the Grouch, Count Von Count and Mr. Snuffleupagus.

So, it was with feelings of nostalgia and excitement that my kids and I attended the recent Sesame Street-inspired first birthday party of Rianne Shanice Lee Ong.

“We wanted the party’s theme to be classic so we decided to go for the children’s all-time favorite show, Sesame Street. Since it has already been around since the 1960s, not only would the kids be able to relate to our party’s theme but the parents as well”, shares Rianne’s mom Sharon.

“Also, Rianne’s first gift when she was 3 months old was a chattering Elmo stuffed toy. Until now, the toy never fails to make Rianne giggle every time she hears Elmo laughing”, discloses Sharon.

Sharon and husband Rad collaborated with one of Davao’s most sought-after party organizers, Annie Paz-Lim, and came up with a sensational Sesame Street affair that was truly delightful.

“Rad and I started planning out with Annie as early as June 2008. We wanted to avoid the Christmas rush on the “ber” months, so we already prepared and bought everything we needed two to three months before the party”, says the organized mom.

The Marco Polo Hotel’s grand ballroom had a cheerful atmosphere as Elmo, Big Bird and Cookie Monster in vibrant hues of red, yellow and blue were ingeniously used as the main party decorations in the form of mylar balloons, stage backdrop, table centerpieces, among others.

A fanciful four-tiered fondant Sesame Street birthday cake by Booboo Carandang-Maramba of Natalie’s Cakes was the piece de resistance featuring Elmo, Big Bird and Cookie Monster characters interspersed with colorful alphabet blocks.

Upon registration, kids received Sesame Street party tickets for “Shoot the Elmo ABC”, “Cookie Monster Cookies”, “Sesame Street Photo Me”, “Dart A Balloon” and “Shanice’s Favorite Fashion Accessories”.

At the coloring booth, creative children carefully colored their Sesame Street characters in the hope of winning a prize for their works of art. Meanwhile, other energetic tots had a blast playing non-stop at the indoor Bounce ‘N Round inflatable slide.

The guests were also treated to refreshing fruit drinks from All That Juice, crunchy popcorn from Popperoo and delectable Allegro Ice Cream as they watched Sesame Street DVDs on a big screen. Afterwards, a short audio visual presentation of Rianne’s precious milestones was likewise shown.

In-demand party host James Infiesto entertained the audience with his magic tricks, thrilling games and witty repartee.

For give-aways, kids received adorable Elmo stuffed toys and Elmo coin banks stuffed with all sorts of tasty goodies.

As the happy and contented faces of Rianne’s party guests have proven, the magic of Sesame Street is indeed timeless and will continue to enchant generations to come!

I am sharing to you the party photos courtesy of Imagine Digital Fotofun Express.

E-mail the author at mom.about.town.dvo@gmail.com. Visit www.mom-about-town.blogspot.com.