I Need Help W/ Birthday Itenerary

A.,
I am the mean woman/mom who has done away w/ goodie bags. When the kids are a bit older we have done crafts and everyone takes theirs. Most of the "stuff" ends up in the trash anyway.
Since everyone is so young I would do cake and gifts first, watch Elmo and leave- that way people can still get home to make dinner.
The cutest Thank you Cards I have seen were ones made by a mom w/ a digital camera and a color printer. She took pics of the guests w/ the b-day child and printed it, folded the paper into quarters and wrote a nice note inside.
Keep it as simple as possible so you can enjoy the party too!

A.,

I think I would start the party at 3.30. Everybody comes 15 min late, so you have 45 min for the cake and presents.(you will need that) They watch Elmo, and everybody is free to leave or stay for another 20 min.
You definitely don't have time for playing games.
And I don't think there's time for fingerfood. You start with cake, and after Elmo everybody is leaving or prepares to leave. Do something to eat in the goodie bags.

We also always do a craft they can take home. But you chose for an entertainer so you won't have time for it. I agree most of the stuff from a goodie bag ends in the trash. But my sons favorite always are bouncing balls and kazoos.

Good luck, I.

Party City has a great variety on Party Supplies(plates,cups,and things to put in goodies bags)
How many children/adults will be there. That's where you need to start then you'll know how many plates, cups to have.
I wouldn't put any finger foods if you decide to do so something really small cause the part is after lunch and before dinner so this is more like a snack.
Goodies bags depends on what are the ages of kids. I would give the infants something that they can enjoy and the 1 yr old and 2 yr. 3 yrs olds as well.
I think party city has personalized invitations as well or you can go online just do a google search.

If I think of anything else I will let you know but Elmo should be entertaining enough unless you want to expand the times and then that will go into dinner time and you will need to serve food.

Good Luck!
I think the rule is a Bday party shouldn't be more han 2 hrs.

My twins turn 2 in December. I know how they fight with each other over toys, so I would not open presents at the party. All the kids will want to play with them- and take them home- and they will not understand why they can't have them. To avoid alot of tears and frustration I would wait until after the party. Also, it will make it easier to keep track and write thank you's. On that note.... a cute suggestion: I bought plain note cards and I am going to have the twins color and put stickers on one side, and I will write the note on the other side. That way it is sort of from them. Hope this helps!!