Some super cute ideas from your mom. The straws are $4 for 20 and the paper plates are $7 for 12 at Shop Sweet Lulu.
http://www.shopsweetlulu.com/item/Party-Plates-Blue-Dots/40/c77

I also found some on ebay a little cheaper. From inkscissorspaper you can get just about any color or style. They charge $6.50 for 40 or $16 for 100.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/inkscissorspaper/m.html?hash=item4ab62d9002&item=320884019202&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&rt=nc&_trksid=p4340.l2562