Event planner Robin Kelley—founder of the catering company wanted a party for her 3-year-old son, John, that was easy to pull off but still enchanting. For the theme, she drew on her family heritage (she comes from a long line of avid boaters) and her son's obsession with all things sea-related. Toy boats from John's room became table centerpieces, galvanized tubs were transformed into watery harbors, and newspapers were used to make fish-and-chips cones and sailor hats. Kelley enlisted her friends and family members, as well as her P&K business partners, Elizabeth and John Pecore, to help with the cooking, goodie-bag prep, and decorating. The Pecores also arranged for the party's pièce de résistance—a handmade wooden rowboat, made by a relative, that quickly filled up with small sailors setting out on an imaginary sea.
Next Page: Set the marine scene.
