Big Birthday Bash Planning

I am in the middle of planning Grace's 5th Birthday Party. Invites have been flowing out the door and ideas are bombarding me for everything from the cake, to decorations and activities. Our theme this year is polka dots and that should make things simple, but you know how that goes...

Does anyone have any great suggestions? Please feel free to put in your two cents, they may just be what saves my sanity...LOL

Here are some cakes I've been looking at:

What do you think? Is it doable? Or am I deluding myself? We did cupcakes last time and that was not easy... However, I have never worked with fondant in my life. But how hard can it be? Maybe I need to consult me friend Stacy, she is the Martha of all things cake....

Please feel free to comment and help a gal out.

Birthday Update...

I finally had some time to download these photos so I can publish this post I've had saved for over a week, and then my computer crashed. Wouldn't you know it...so here we try for the third time.

Just wanted to post some photos and give a big shout out to my darling In-laws who sent me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was delivered by a sweet elderly couple who pulled into our driveway the night before my birthday and were arguing about whether or not they were in the right place. It was really cute. The flowers are soooo pretty, with a little sprinkle of glitter on them and a sweet butterfly tucked into the center. I am sure the pictures don't do it justice.

Lisa at work was soooo sweet to get me some Halloween decorations. Must've been all the whining I did about not knowing where my stuff was still siting in boxes somewhere. Thanks Lisa. When I came home after work my hubby had gotten me more flowers and put them in various places around the house. Beautiful pink roses and gorgeous gladiolas, even a little vase for Grace. Then he had arranged this whole little display of cards, flowers, gifts and food. What more could a girl want?

The sushi was divine and he won't tell me where he got it. It was waaay cheap, so if you know of any good, inexpensive places in town please fill me in. I could eat sushi every day the rest of my life.