bee's party
On Thursday we had a few of Bee's friends come over to help celebrate her birthday. My advice to those of you throwing a party for a three year old: Keep the guest list on the short side. We had 6 kids (plus my own two) and we were plenty busy!
I fell in love with the idea of a felt birthday crown after reading SouleMama's amazing book. I had high hopes of embroidering this one, but it ended up being just glued together. Bee loved it anyway. We made paper versions for each of her friends to color and sticker and wear at the party.
We blew all kinds of bubbles and played all kinds of games (the most popular being where we hid balls all over the backyard and had the kids run and find them.. endlessly entertaining for the 2 year old set).
We ate fancy peanut butter and jelly, clementines, round jello jigglers (a request from the birthday girl herself), pretzel sticks, grapes, and juice boxes (of course).
And cupcakes. We used the leftover dots from our cake, and pressed them into freshly frosted cupcakes. Bee blew the candles out in one go.
Favors were round gumdrops and candy dots in yellows, oranges, pinks and reds. The tags are made from metal rimmed office supply tags with sticker letters (in the scrapbook section of any craft store).
All in all, one fun party.. One special little birthday girl.
(Before you make fun of me for spending time on details that no 2 or 3 year old would ever notice, please understand that I cannot control my party planning habits. After working at Martha Stewart for so many years, these things just happen.. they can't be stopped. Ask my husband, he's tried.)
02.3.2009
Reader Comments (80)
simply the sweetest! i think this part would delight a 3 year-old OR a 30+ year-old. i love all your details. those photos are priceless!
what a sweet party!! i especially love that last picture.
and i agree with kim, the older they get the less say you end up having! enjoy it now while you can be the controller of the party planning. :)
I don't think there is anything wrong with all the detail. I think it is lovely and the party looks very charming. So much fun!
What a sweet mommy you are! I love love it, who wouldn't. I don't have kids, but I throw a fancy tea party for my nieces or their birthdays every year, and I think this year it will be a little more festive like yours, you inspired me!
Please don't bring your party planning habits under control - I get so inspired here!
Make fun? Never! The love is in the details, right? And she will look back at photos and see what a cool 3rd birthday she had!
Gorgeous!
It's the thoughtful details that makes life so colorful. Your projects are so thought- inspiring and gorgeous. They're everyday ideas/projects that actually can be copied and duplicated without fancy gadgets and dooh-dads! Thanks for sharing.
This is so cute. I love polka dots! I wish I had made myself a polka dot birthday cake last month. It's seems like such an easy thing to do and it makes the cake so special.
I am the same way. Cal's 4th birthday party:
http://www.leciawphinney.com/2008/08/cals-4th-birthday-party.html
Beautiful party and Bee will be happy to have such beautiful photos to look back on, and see how cherished she was.
so beautiful! such nice pinks without being too sappy sweet!
Lovely! I will turn 45 this year, and this is exactly the birthday celebration I'd like! *Sigh*
Just lovely.
The sweetest birthday party!
Love the dotty party. Wish it were mine. Isn't the pink yellow orange yellow combo so nice for a little girl. I made a quilt for mine in those colours. Girly, but modern. Anyhow, it looked like a beautiful party.
As long as you enjoy it and I think you do.
We all enjoy it from afar and get great ideas too!
Happy day!
gorgeous as always! I don't think you're ever wasting your time on party details - because they I think they do notice the finer details, especially if it's something they love. I did a ball/dot theme for my son's 2nd birthday in Nov because he's obsessed with balls. He excitedly pointed to everything round all day and exclaimed "ooh baalllls. more baaalllls". totally worth it! And if you enjoy doing it, it's not exactly a waste of time! Am sure Bee had a, erm, ball! x
you created an awesome party to remember and it has that classic Martha essence. beautifully done!
What a lovely party! I love all the details and think you struck the right balance between kid-friendly and sophisticated while still keeping it simple. I actually think children appreciate such pretty things, maybe not every detail, but I'm sure your daughter senses how much love went into her pretty party! I love your blog!
Such a lovely party. I love polka dots. I have done plenty of things like that for my children's parties, things that I loved creating whether or not they appreciated them.