Our son, Jack, turns 4 this week. Since his second birthday we’ve let him choose his party theme. At 2 it was Pingu (please, have a look at this adorable Swedish claymation penguin show), last year it was the Lorax and when I asked him this year what he wanted, he chose the Grinch.

During the holidays we took Jack to a local restaurant to see the outrageous film based on the Dr. Seuss character. It was his first big screen experience so it must have left an impression on him.

Now, when I say we have a “themed” party, I don’t mean a Pinterest-worthy event where every dish is labeled with cute names (let’s remember, his guests can’t read). I usually choose a theme color and run with it.

Jack decided the main dish was to be bagels with green cream cheese. Easy enough. Just mix some green food coloring into the cream cheese.

Although his party theme is a bit out of season, I just wanted to share how we do birthday parties because it doesn’t have to be perfect. Kids are happy to just run around so I don’t feel pressure to be organized.

And I want the parents to have fun, which is why we had a mimosa bar. Champagne and fruit nectars — easy peasy.

We saved the strawberry tops and remaining cucumbers from the veggie platter and steeped them in water overnight for a non-alcoholic alternative.

I did Pinterest out a tad when it came to the cupcakes. I made banana bread with green food coloring and made mini cupcakes. Then I topped each cupcake with green frosting and skewered a strawberry and mini marshmallow on top to look like Grinch wearing a Santa hat.

It was a miraculously clear, warm day and all five kids ran around and played for a couple of hours while all 15 adults (not sure how the math worked out on that one) chilled and drank mimosas.

We had a few stragglers who joined us for an after-party picnic on the lawn.