My son and I share the same birthday, so planning a party that suits both of us has often been a problem. In past years we had two parties, but this year I just didn't have the time to do this so I came up with the perfect solution. A party for adults and children with the same theme, that theme being easy, buffet style fun food that went beyond hot dogs and hamburgers. The following is a guide to the party we chose to host and all the entire how to advice you will need. Have fun with this and substitute your favorites where you wish.

1. Chose a menu for the party with food that will please both the children and children.

Here is what we chose.

Appetizers- Potato chips
Fresh Cape Black Grapes
Fresh Strawberries

Main Course- Mixed Greens and Roasted Vegetable Salad
Steamed Asparagus with Garlic Butter
Oven Baked Potato Wedges (spicy and herb)
Barbecue Ribs
Breaded Chicken Breast Fingers

Dessert-Chocolate Cake
Individually Made Sundaes-various flavors ice creams
M&Ms, jellybeans, gummy worms, chocolate sauce, Cotton Candy and Caramel Apples.

2.Choose a color scheme.
- We chose neon blue, yellow, and lime green for the main colors because we had dishes in those colors. We mixed some other colors to complement these with balloons, napkins, tissue paper, straws and party favors.

3.Shop for food and party favors.
- If you are running short on time like, it is a good idea to check your local grocery stores to see if they have a shopping and delivery service. Some grocery stores have web sites that you can place your grocery order on and some will take your order by phone. Locally, Quality Foods has an excellent online service with a small service fee. I don't know about you but this is a very small fee for me if it saves me going to the store, doing the shopping and bringing the groceries home.

4.Decorate and Set table
- Arrange the table and chairs so that there is plenty of room to move freely around them. Remember children and adults both tend to get rather excited at parties!
- Set out plates, cups and napkins, and accessories along with a place card for each guest indicating where they should sit. We made simple place cards on the computer using card stock in the theme colors. We also set each place with a caramel apple, stick side up.
- Assemble all serving bowls and utensils in an area where you have room to work. Line bowls for potato chips and other snacks with colored tissue paper, letting it billow out the top of the bowl.
- Assemble candy for sundaes in clear bowls or jars and arrange in the middle of the table. Line serving bowl with tissue paper and place cotton candy (very full) in it. Set in middle of table. Set out a caramel apple at each place setting.

5.Assemble gift bags for guests.
- We chose to go inexpensive, but useful with the gift bags. The favors were placed on a piece of theme colored tissue and then bundled up in cellophane and tied with curling ribbon. We arranged the items so that the bag would stand upright on each plate. In each bag we placed: one Kit Kat Candy Bar, one dark purple or black sticky notepad, one gel pen, one crazy curly straw, one party favor such as a whirligig or party horn and some gourmet jellybeans. Place each gift bag on the appropriate plates.

6.Set out appetizers for guests to help themselves to.

7.Prepare food.
-It is a good idea to prepare as much as possible ahead of time. I was able to do everything except the asparagus before the guests arrived. Here is how I did things:
- Boil ribs in apple juice, cayenne pepper and onions for one hour
- Prepare homemade BBQ sauce for ribs
- Wash grapes and strawberries and arrange in bowl, place in fridge.
- Wash and cut potato wedges, place in bowls of cold water.
- Wash and prepare salad greens and arrange on serving platter
- Cut and roast vegetables for salad. Remove and arrange on greens.
- Prepare potato wedges with spices and olive oil and bake
- Drain ribs, start BBQ and quickly grill each rib. Remove, place in oven proof serving tray and pour BBQ sauce over all ribs. Cover and refrigerate.
- Remove potato wedges and place in oven proof serving trays, cover.
- Bake chicken fingers and reheat ribs and potatoes.
- Steam asparagus and prepare garlic butter, arrange on platter and pour butter over top.

8.Set out the meal, buffet style and have each guest serve him or herself. Sit and enjoy the meal with your guests.

9.Clear up main course dishes while children play and adults visit.

10.Arrange ice-creams, ice-cream scoop, bowls and spoons on the table with the candies, cotton candy and let each person serve themselves to create their own unique flavored sundae.

11.Move to another room or area you have designated for gift opening and proceed with the opening of gifts and visiting.

12. Be sure to send each guest off with a warm thank-you, their gift bag and perhaps pocket full of leftover candies.

*HINT: It is easy to use dishes, napkins and cups all in the same colors without spending a lot of money. Check out you local fun store for great bargains on trendy colored plastic dishes. Afterwards, you will have great picnic dishes. If you are unable to do this, just purchase tissue paper in fun colors and line bowls and platters with it to get a festive effect! Cotton Candy and Caramel Apples are available fresh at local candy stores. We got ours at a great local candy maker, called Coombs Candy. Preorder if possible. HAVE FUN!