Stormy

[Shell]

Hey there, does anyone know how much it cost to have Stormy appear at an event? I looked online but their forms are broken. I emailed my rep too but figured you guys would be faster lol.

Thanks!

[Guyute]

I emailed my rep too but figured you guys would be faster lol.

Or people here might reply in the first place. ;)

[Shell]

I stand corrected, they got me the information quickly and nicely :D

[Shattered]

For some reason, and it could be utterly unrelated to Stormy considering my current mental state, lol...but $250 comes to mind. I do know it was $50 for an in-seat visit in 05-06.

[Shell]

Thanks Shattered! $250 is for the wedding proposal via the tux, jumbotron, and DVD. An in-seat appearance is now $100 and a bday party appearance is $120 for 45 minutes. :)

[Shattered]

Thanks Shattered! $250 is for the wedding proposal via the tux, jumbotron, and DVD. An in-seat appearance is now $100 and a bday party appearance is $120 for 45 minutes. :)
Wow, that's a deal for the bday party, especially compared to the other per minute charges. :) I take it Cole is getting a surprise visitor this year?

[Shell]

yeah, I am sure Guyute will balk at me but Cole will flip out and his excitement will be worth every penny!!

Off-topic but does anyone have any suggestions on good places for a birthday party? I have looked at Pump It Up and Playspace.. what else works well? The cheaper the better. I wish I could depend on nice weather, I would just have it at Anderson Park behind our house :)

[Guyute]

Hey, I buy a PS3, you spend $120 on a short visit from a glorified pig... it all works out. :p

[Shell]

yeah, but mine is an 1/8th of the cost!! well, 1/16th after I add your half to the monthly bills :lol:

[Guyute]

/mumbling

[corylav]

yeah, I am sure Guyute will balk at me but Cole will flip out and his excitement will be worth every penny!!

Off-topic but does anyone have any suggestions on good places for a birthday party? I have looked at Pump It Up and Playspace.. what else works well? The cheaper the better. I wish I could depend on nice weather, I would just have it at Anderson Park behind our house :)

We just had Izzy's 4th at Pullen Park and it was awesome. They have tons of covered areas for rent, in case of bad weather, and if it's nice you have the train, carousel and the whole park to entertain with.

http://www.raleighnc.gov/portal/server.pt/gateway/PTARGS_0_2_306_209_0_43/http%3B/pt03/DIG_Web_Content/category/Leisure/Parks_and_Facilities/Pullen_Park/Cat-2CA-2005309-130951-Picnic_Shelters_at_Pulle.html

We got the No. 4 shelter (the big pavilion looking one) and it was cheap ($55 for a half day) and plenty big for tons of people.

[livinthedream]

^ I like Cory's idea, especially for spring/summer, I love outdoor parties, and Pullen is a fantastic park. And wow, Stormy sounds like a good deal!

Cam's birthday was in early March so too early for an outside activity. Our local community center (part of Town of Cary) offers a kid's fusion party which was a combination of games, sports, music, etc. The kids had a blast, and the instructor kept them busy for a full hour, then all I had to do was the cake and party favors. Reasonably priced and close to home, you might want to check to see if your local center has something similar.

This year was Cam's first "organized" party. He's 5, and birthday parties for 5-year-olds seem to be a very big deal (I guess before the kids go off to kindergarten).

He's been to Pump It Up, Bright Horizons, My Gym, I'd recommend any of those for little kids. Bullwinkles, Buffaloe Lanes for bowling, Cary Ice House, all were fun but definitely better for older kids.

I don't think it's possible for kids to have a "bad" birthday party, as long as they have friends there and something fun to do (they usually could care less about the food or decorations, although goody bags are a must).

[nccanes]

I'm a "mean" Mom and only have "parties" for the 5th, 10th, 15th B'day (we had family parties when they were 1 and 2). I did both 5 yo b'days at the Little Gym. Seemed really easy and fun. One had a Stormy party at a Canes game for his 10th.

And for those that are wondering, this 5 year plan works great. By the time they are 10, they don't want those crazy run around parties and usually just have a few friends get together and do something. And my 15 yo didn't care anymore, lol.

[Guyute]

Hmm... very intriguing plan E. :)
I couldn't see Shell doing quite that... but, maybe only "bigger" parties on the 5's... that way you don't have to deal with a big "to-do" every year.
Course, I'm not big on b-day parties anyway. Shell is. I'd have to imagine she'd win that battle too. lol

[MeanGene]

email georgeb@carolinahurricanes.com. He can hook you up with anything stormy related!

[Shell]

Thanks everyone, very good ideas!!

and E, that certainly doesn't make you a mean mommy.. I can totally understand and get that. I think that is more common than the big parties anymore. But Jeff is right, birthday are big to me and I like to have something fun! But, hopefully it doesn't have to mean too much money... The community center is a great idea for sure.. fun playgrounds outside and a gym inside. I will look into that. Stormy will be invited regardless and now I am too excited to wait.. maybe I will book him for a Saturday night at home to play with Cole. ;) :lol:
Thanks for the link MG.. Both PJ (my rep) and George emailed me back very quickly :D

[kermelbar]

My friend K was one of three girls and they are about 2-3 years apart, I think. If I recall correctly, they did their birthday parties on rotation, so each girl got a big party every three years.

Obviously, that's a plan for multiples and may not work well with only children. =.)

[nccanes]

maybe I will book him for a Saturday night at home to play with Cole. ;) :lol:


Wouldn't that be freakin' hilarious? :lol: :lol: :lol:

[queenmerry]

My twin and I always got screwed. Our birthday is 12/23, so not only did we get quite a few combined-twin-birthday-Christmas presents, we could never have a party because it's so close to Christmas! As a kid I always wished my parents could have planned better so my sis and I could be born in May or June, but what can you do? ...after all, I have a feeling we were conceived in some sort of automobile and weren't exactly "planned"... ;)

[IceSun]

Shell (and Guyute) - if Cole would get into Pump It Up, but the park is more convenient (and in any case the air is much fresher), you can bring the slide or fun castle to there. We've done a few slide parties for our kids and have a place we're really happy with. PM or e-mail me if you're interested and I'll get you the contact and look up what they charged us...

[SouthernHockeyChick]

maybe I will book him for a Saturday night at home to play with Cole. ;) :lol:

You better invite my ass over if you do that!!! :lol:

[Kat]

Hey merry, I am 12/24. So I feel your pain! I got the infamous poinsetta cake every year...

My parents did occasionally do a party between Christmas and New Year's though.

Good luck with the Cole thing. One thing you might want to know about public parks, is that there is no alcohol allowed without having to jump through major hoops, permits, etc. Yes, it is a kid's party, but adults have to bring the kids...

[kermelbar]

My previously mentioned friend K is also 12/24 and so was her dad and he came out of the closet about 6-7 years ago. I think it took about 3-4 years for her mom, who is almost crazy religious, to kind of get back on track with K's birthday.

[Shell]

You better invite my ass over if you do that!!! :lol:

Sorry, too late.. we had him over for bacon and sausage this morning :lol:
http://www.tridead.net/images/StormyCole.jpg

OK, so really we just stalked him around town :p

[JaroFan]

Was that from today, Shell? Were you at the Duke walk, b/c he was there!

[Shell]

It is from today, but not Duke.. he was at the Fractured Prune as well (donuts are more my speed than 5 mile walks :lol: )

[nccanes]

Shell that is so adorable. He's clutching his little Canes bear and just cuddling up with Stormy! Awwwww.....

[livinthedream]

That is TOO cute.

[caniac369]

So cute!!

[Shattered]

Looks like naptime. :) too cute.

[Shell]

It was past naptime! plus he was getting a little frustrated because he is too polite sometimes.. it's hard for a big pig to notice a small one saying "Can I please have a hug?" when he has big kids stuffing frisbees in his mouth and pulling his hair.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Please tell me the giant purple thing behind them is a life-size prune!!! :lol:

Awesome pic, BTW! Stormy is lookin' a but rough, though. His nose looks really scuffed up.

[shill22]

the current Stormy costume has been around a while. I remember when he got a new one several years ago(about 5 maybe), I hated the new look-his eyes are so big that it looks like he is all doped up on caffeine or cold drugs or some hardcore drugs. we laughed about that for a while. And it's gotta stink-Febreze will only help so much!

[Shell]

That costume is in rough shape.. he has a patch missing out of his knee too. I started to mention the smell and Cole's face but didn't want to be too mean lol.. it does stink something fierce!!
and yes, he does drink lots of coffee! http://www.tridead.net/images/StormyCoffee.jpg

(Angie, that was a giant prune with a broken leg and lots of bandaids lol)