The Larsen Log: What to do when your 4-year-old wants a penguin party

Back in January, Rhys' Primary teacher gave him a sticker with a penguin on it, and ever since then he's been determined, unwaveringly, to have a penguin-themed fourth birthday party. I kept thinking he'd change his mind, but no! He even requested a remote-controlled penguin as his gift (good luck with that one).

Well, after a few months of deliberation, and an extra two weeks of waiting (Rhys was sick the week of his birthday, so we had to postpone the party until April 29), this is what we came up with. Feel free to follow these simple instructions when the 4-year-old in your life wants a penguin party!

First, a super-cute cake! Those are Pepperidge Farm Milano cookies dipped in chocolate, with candy eyes and rolled Starburst beaks and feet. They have their eggs to take care of and fish to eat, and a few sad-looking ice pieces floating around the cool iceberg island. The icing is peppermint flavored for that icy effect.

When the children arrive, you have them decorate custom gift bags to use for a penguin egg hunt later in the party. Paint and stickers! Yay!

While the paint dries in the sun on the gorgeous April day it turns out to be (we got almost to 60!), send them to the kitchen to make their own pizzas.

We do this at every birthday party for the boys, and I just learned that it's now a REQUIREMENT. The kids in town look forward to it every time Rhys or Tallis gets a year older. If I ever didn't do it, there would be tears.

While said pizzas are being baked by awesome helper moms, have the kids pretend to be penguins walking around while holding their eggs on their feet. Don't drop it! Don't crack it! Keep it safe!

Play a little pin-the-beak-on-the-penguin!

Take them outside for an exciting game of duck, duck, penguin!

Ah, lunch is served. They really chowed down! (Thank you, beautiful weather! We love sending the kids outside to the deck to eat!)

Give the kids some free time while the adults eat their pizzas. Washable sidewalk chalk on the Trex deck and whatever other mayhem they can come up with.