A couple of months ago I started asking Hailey about her birthday. I suggested a park, taking one friend to do something special, a kid-focused place, but she shot down every suggestion I offered to beg for a party at home. Eventually I had to agree.
I thought a party that was just themed with ‘rainbow’ that included a lot of colors would be great. She asked for pink and princesses. Guess what we went with?
Parties at home stress me a little. First there is that whole ‘cleaning up the house for guests’ aspect, but also food and activity to consider as well. A pinterest-party mom I am not. I admire and gawk in all at some of the amazing parties parents come up with, but I start to feel the (self-imposed) pressure and my heart rate increases. Luckily David helps me remember to take a deep breath and try to enjoy the process, like icing the cupcakes together in the morning.
I am not a baker, but I like the idea of always making the girls’ cakes. To keep things manageable, I outsourced the other food.
And was pleasantly surprised at how the cupcakes turned out.
It’s amazing what some cupcake flags and homemade buttercream can do!
But of course what really makes a party are the people who attend, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate our friends that showed up. Asking for a chunk of a Saturday can be imposing, but it made Hailey’s (and my) day knowing that we had friends that were excited to be there.
The big hit of the party (pun intended) was the pinata. Hailey had been asking for one and I was lukewarm on the idea until I saw the princess castle beauty at Hobby Lobby. It sealed the deal and the kids loved taking turns whacking it.
Then, true to kid party form, there was singing.
And cake eating.
And generous gifts from friends.
Most importantly, Hailey had a wonderful time and undoubtedly felt very loved. By 1:00, the party had ended, friends had gone home and Hailey was still running around giddily admiring her new toys and feeling all the joy a birthday princess should. Her real birthday is tomorrow, then I need to figure out how to explain to her that her week long celebration has come to an end.
Wish me luck!
What was your favorite birthday party you had growing up?
I remember having a troll-themed birthday party (5th grade maybe?) and my mom bought little tony trolls to put on each person’s cup and I remember thinking it was the coolest!
Parita @ myinnershakti says
Looks like Hailey and her friends had a great time! Happy happy birthday to her!
Growing up, birthday parties equaled sleepovers and pizza. Every single year!
John J. says
Congrats on putting on a stupendous party for the princess! You hostess well!!
sherry says
What a fabulous party you threw! The decorations, food, and birthday princess looked beautiful! Actually her birthday celebration won’t end tomorrow because we will be there to continue the celebration on Friday 🙂 She takes after her mom, stretching out her birth “day”!
Heather says
Love it! That pinata is amazing too! I always get stressed about having parties at home, but it’s funny how no one else ever notices the little things I may have missed when cleaning and kids don’t care if a party is pinterest worthy or not. 😉
Gena says
Such a fun party! I’m not a party at my home kind of person either. I’d rather outsource it somewhere – but it look like the kids had so much fun and that’s what counts! I only remember a couple of parties from my childhood. I was crazy for Garfield and I remember my mom got me one of those balloons inside a balloon with a stuffed Garfield inside.
Brittany says
Happy birthday Hailey! Looks like a success!
Jacklyn @ Jack's Balancing Act says
Aww Happy Birthday Hailey!! I think I would have loved this birthday party when I was her age 🙂 And I so admire you for your openness about feeling pressure for something like this; I’m not a mom but I can get so caught up in perfecting little details that I almost forget that the point is to HAVE FUN. So hats off for you for making her day awesome without sweating the small stuff!! But for the record, everything looks really pretty and delicious!
Allison says
Happy Birthday sweet girl! My husbands birthday is tomorrow so it is a wonderful day 🙂
Favorite theme birthday? Dress up and Make up. Seriously think about this one for one of your girls!!! To this day I have friends that say “Remember that dress up make up party your mom had for your birthday?” (I am 28 now and it still lives on!)
My mom got all her friends and my aunt to bring dress up clothes for us- so we had a TON of new stuff from everyone’s house. We had some high school girls that babysat come over and proceeded to “style” us.
My grandma was a Mary Kay consultant and she had all these little make-up samples. Each girl got her station set with a mirror and make up. We all looked like clowns but it was THE BEST TIME. We pranced around in our fancy get up and had cake, and just played.
We are having a little boy so as of now sigh this party will never happen for me but I am telling you it was a BLAST.
Kate says
Respect for pulling off such a lovely party at home!! My son’s not even a year, but I already get nervous just thinking about hosting birthday parties…
One detail of my own birthday parties has stuck with me – when I was 5 or 6 I had a cake with Pumuckl on top (that’s a character in a German TV series from the 80s that I really liked as a kid)…
Laura @ Semi-Vegetarian.com says
Cute party! We had my son’s third birthday party on Saturday and I made pretty much all the food. Like you, I put so much pressure on myself for some reason and all the prep ended up being really stressful. I think I’m going to take this approach next year and buy the food and make the cake! That’s the most fun part, anyway. (We had tiny toy dinosaurs on top of our cupcakes….came out really cute!)
For my own childhood birthday– two stick out. One year I had a tea party birthday and all my friends came over dressed up, we had petit fours instead of a big cake, and we drank out of real teacups. It was so fun. I also may or may not have had a “talent show party” for which I made all my friends rehearse and perform. I believe I did a tap dance in a sparkly gold leotard. Haha!
Elizabeth says
ha! trolls! hahahahah. I remember loving them too.
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
What a fun birthday celebration!!
Maria says
What a sweet party! Not to diss anyone’s Pinterest-inspired parties, but I am partial to the simpler affairs with a few balloons, streamers, and some good take-out food. My mom always made my cake and that’s what made it special as I’m sure it does for Hailey as well. I always request pineapple upside down cake 🙂
Oh my troll collection – so intense. My uncle even made a special wooden case for me to display them in. I would have loved attending your birthday party!
Josephine sharpe says
Brittany I think Hailey’s birthday party looks perfect. I think the Pinterest worthy type overblown parties are more about parents competing rather than childrens expectations. Some of the money spent I think is ridiculous. My favourite memories from my birthday parties were the cakes, so I think you made the right decision to focus your cooking efforts on that. I had a green crocodile cake one year decorated in sweets like jelly beans etc and another year my mum upended a big tub of ice cream tied a ribbon around it and stuck a Barbie in the middle! I loved it! Parties in my day consisted of parce the parcel, pin the tail on the donkey and dancing to music and a goodie bag full of sweets to take home. I am yet to give Arianna a party however now she is in school I’m sure she will ask for one soon!
Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says
How precious! Happy birthday Hailey!
christine says
Great job on the party!! My son is turning one in November and I’m already a little stressed about it. I love to cook and bake but I may have to out source some items like you did else I may go crazy!
My favorite bday party growing up was one I had at papa ginos! I got to make my own pizza in their kitchen, haha. (Thus my love for cooking and baking!)
p.s. I tried the Farm House kraut today! I have the dill and garlic flavor, OH MY GOSH is it delish! I’m currently doing a round of WHOLE30 and this goes perfect with some compliant hot dogs! So happy you posted about it!
Jen@Jpabstfitness.com says
Cute party! My 10 year old wanted an American Girl doll bday party last year, I was so stressed out, but it turned out so fun 🙂
emma @ be mom strong says
Ah the princess party… I know that all too well. It’s a shame we don’t live closer our girls are practically identical in age and likes! But then again, what girl isn’t at these ages?!
Irina S. says
Hi Brittany. You haven’t posted in a few days. I hope everything is alright on your end!
Erin P. says
Thinking about you! Hope all is well!
Julia @ Lord Still Loves Me says
You have the cutest little princess around town. 😉 Happy fourth Hailey!
larissa says
It looks like despite your worrying, you gave your daughter such a sweet and perfect princess party! I think it is awesome that you made the sweets yourself- they turned out amazing! Thanks for sharing!