Party People!

CHRISSY UDOFIA
COOL MOM, ICE CREAM LADY, SMILE VENDOR

A stay-at-home mom of four, with a background in Corporate America, Chrissy never expected to become an ice cream lady. But when she started looking for additional income, she says she “dreaded the thought of going back to work at a 9-5 job.” So, she created Cool Treats Ice Cream. “I knew I made the right decision my first day,” she says. “I was driving to an event, and everyone was waving and smiling at my fabulous pink truck.” Now a realtor too, this super-busy mom still loves rolling through neighborhoods and pulling up at parties. “I love that everyone, young and old alike, lights up when they see my ice cream truck. The parents get just as excited as their children!”

“One time…”
“I had a lady come up to my window on a horse,” Chrissy recalls. “She actually let the horse pick out what he wanted from the menu (a fudge bar!). Then they sat by the window and ate ice cream together… I loved it!”

Party like a pro
Chrissy’s tip for parents? “Goody bags are expensive, and the excitement only lasts a moment," so she recommends focusing less on stuff and more on creating memorable experiences for the kids (think games, activities, or craft projects). “Memories will last forever!”

Icing on the cupcakeChrissy also loves how Cool Treats lets her give back: “When I am parked at an event, a portion of the proceeds go back to that organization. It’s such a great feeling!” To track that bright pink truck of hers, follow her at Twitter.com/SacIceCream.

MATTHEW CLOUGH
SINGER-SONGWRITER, ALL-AGES ENTERTAINER

“A few years ago I began playing guitar and singing to inspire my students to read and write,” says Matthew, a full-time special needs teacher. He began writing music for friends, “parents,” he says, “who were tired of hearing the same old kids’ music (music that made them want to pull their hair out).” Matthew’s calendar quickly filled with family-friendly gigs, and he and his band, The Cloud Nines, have since performed hundreds of shows, helping a variety of wonderful causes, and recorded a CD, The Sky’s the Limit.

“One time…”
Matthew took his students on a field trip recently to a Shriners Children’s Hospital, where they performed for the patients. “Watching the children edge toward the center of the building, gazing down with smiles on their faces and clapping hands—that was an amazing experience… I really felt the power of music.”

Party like a pro
“Make sure you involve the child in the planning process,” says Matthew. “Ask them what they want to do. More than likely it will be simpler than what you have in mind.”

Icing on the cupcake
Check out Matthew’s whimsical lyrics (“I Guess I'll Move to the Moon” is extra funny-sweet), download a free MP3, and glimpse upcoming shows at MatthewClough.com.

PENNEY THE CLOWN
FINE ARTIST, FACE PAINTER, MAGIC MAKER

“I've been eating, sleeping, and breathing nothing but clowning, face painting, magic, and performing for the past 17 years…” says Penney, “and I love it even more now than I did 17 years ago!” A fine artist who fell in love with performing as a kid herself, Penney says her absolute favorite part of the job is “seeing the kids literally rolling on the floor with laughter” during her comedy magic show. “Their laughter actually gets me laughing, and I get to share a truly magical 30 minutes that the kids and I create together.”

“One time…”
Years ago Penney met “a cute, spunky 3-year-old” at a birthday party. “She asked me to paint a giant diamond ring on her entire tummy, and I got some hilarious photos of her showing it off.” Recently, a lady booked Penney for her youngest daughter’s party. “Her oldest had been the little girl with the diamond ring! She had grown into a lovely, poised young lady of 13,” says Penney, who brought her a copy of the photo. She loved it.

Party like a pro
“Relax!” says Penney. “You're not planning a luncheon for your boss. Kids are easily amused... some pizza, a clown, and a giant cardboard box can keep kids occupied for hours… Go with the flow, and enjoy watching your child enjoy her special day and her friends.”

Icing on the cupcake
Watch a clip of Penney clowning around and check out her gallery of face-painting masterpieces atPenneyTheClown.com. Or catch her in action, painting faces (young and old) every Tuesday afternoon (2:30–5:30pm) at the Briar Patch Co-op in Grass Valley.