Birthday parties with a side order of parental guilt

I love a bit of Pinterest. Rather partial to whiling away time that should be spent actually doing things looking at other people doing things. Crafty creative exciting things, things that look reaaaaally reaaaallllly good on Instagram. I make boards and pin like a mad woman for months before the impending birthday vowing that this year I will actually do that party with a theme..Frozen..mad scientists..My Little Pony..superhero all have been considered. But it just won't happen. I get Pinterest paralysis I'm sure this is not unique to me? At least I bloody well hope it isn't or I really am crap at being a mum! My heart is totally in it, the intention is there I just struggle to actually get the ideas off the board and going on in real life.

The draw where party things go to die

Now for a little list of excuses to make me feel better about this state of affairs.
1) Illness..I had kind of organised a party for Dora only to have to cancel it due to hand, foot and mouth. Dora was very gracious about it and didn't seem too mad at the twins for bringing the lurgy home. I breathed a (very quiet) sigh of relief and promised to do it another time, thankfully she then forgot about this.
2) Age..Last year the twins seemed far too young to really remember a full blown birthday party thus I got myself off the hook and took them to the zoo instead. Result.
3) Social shyness issues..I could roll out this one as an excuse to not have anyone over ever. Otis is not too keen on crowds at the moment so a full blown invite the whole class thing would push the dude over the edge, not fun for anyone. But this excuse is null and void as Otis is a twin and that isn't going to wash with Indy.

So I have to bite the bullet. I'm not setting myself up for a fall and going with a theme but I have invited (Facebook messages and email..no printed personalisation going on round here) a small (concession to shy dude) group of friends round for a BBQ. This is a big step to overcoming party Pinterest paralysis..PPP. Now I just need to do food and cake and make up games and do party bags. Oh god what have I done? PPP is starting to set in and I feel I might need a lie down/a drink/a party planner..all 3!
The twins have requested a rainbow cake that involves me baking! Thanks kids. Is it ok to use Betty Crocker? I would but I don't think I would be able to sleep at night for the guilt. So if you have been invited to the upcoming birthday please forgive any shoddy cakes and lack of party planning it's not my fault I have PPP.