Happy Birthday Ashlyn Grace

Happy 3rd Birthday!! 

Here are some pics from Ashlyn's special day. 

 The birthday girl with her birthday surprise!

(I found the idea on....where else?  Pinterest!  http://pinterest.com/pin/203647214370626293/)

Another birthday surprise!

Good morning birthday girl!

A special breakfast of pancakes, syrup and sprinkles. PanCAKEs deserve candles too!

Ashlyn playing with one of her birthday presents, a new easel!

Birthday Princess

Birthday girl's dinner: Her favorite food, PIZZA!

Birthday Cake!

(Can't beat a cheap and easy cake from Wegmans)

 

Make a wish!

Bird and Owl Party Favors

Party Favor Table 

I spray painted the ceramic owl and birds that I found at Michaels for $2.50.  The birdhouses were also found at Michaels for $1, which I painted, stuffed with shredded paper and added a small adhesive bird decal to.  They were placed on spray painted candle sticks purchased at the Dollar Tree.   

The Party Bags

These party bags were crazy easy to make, and I think they are freaking adorable!  Start with a plain gift bag.  I used a 2" scallop punch to cut out white cardstock, and then I glued a blue sparkly foam circle in the middle (in hindsight, I wish I used a small circle punch for the eyes so they would be perfectly round and even).  I cut triangles (free handed it) out of orange sparkly foam sheets for the nose.  Attach two eyes and a nose to each bag....and ta da!  Instant owl goodie bag! 



Party favors included: miracle bubbles (from Target; $5 for 12); bird whistle (from Toys R Us for $0.50 each); mini paint kit (from Toys R Us for $0.50 each); paintable bird (from JoAnns for $0.25); molding clay (from Toys R Us for $0.50each)

Whooooo wants to Paint? Bird and Owl Arts and Crafts

I admit that I can be a bit of an overzealous party planner, and when I have a vision, I run with it!  For Ashlyn and Maddyn's joint Bird and Owl themed birthday party, I decided I needed to incorporate birdhouses in some way.  I took a stroll through Michaels and lo and behold, there are paintable birdhouses for $1!  What a perfect arts and craft activity! 

(All supplies to paint birdhouses can be found at Michaels)

 

I found these adorable paintable masks at Joann's for $1 each. 

I painted them beforehand, and viola, perfect photo prop for a bird themed party! 

To the right, you can see a basket filled with supplies to make sand art necklaces. 

The birthday girl painting a birdie! 

This picture is classic Ashlyn...she is always such a hoot!

Pretty girl wearing her sand art necklace she made at the arts and crafts table. 

Second party outfit!  

Yup, we anticipated her gorgeous party dress getting paint on it and were prepared.  Great news: the crayola paint is definitely washable, and her dresses came clean in the wash!     

Painting a birdhouse 

 Braeden loved making the sand art necklaces. 

He made one for various family members and friends! 

I didn't realize that the sandart kids I purchased at Michaels did not include strings to make them into necklaces, but we improvised and used leftover ribbon from the party decorations.  I think they turned out super cute!

 The arts and crafts table

BEFORE

The arts and crafts table

AFTER

Suffice to say, the arts and crafts table was a hit with the kids and adults alike! 

VOTE VOTE VOTE

I have put up a poll in regards to Braeden's 2nd birthday party. Right after his pirate-themed 1st birthday party, Chris and I decided his birthday sequel would have a Toy Story theme. But now I am wavering because he is obsessed with Cookie Monster! Forget Elmo and Big Bird. B is all about COOKIE! Help me out here and vote in my poll. Heaven forbid Braeden end up with a crappy theme....or *gasp* no theme at all!

Pirate Party!

I love this picture of Braeden chugging out of his party cup....a glimpse into his future college days perhaps?!

I have decided that children's birthday parties are way too stressful for the mommies involved! The party preparation was ridiculous, and I know I spent way more money than I should have. We had goldfish for centerpieces, and Braeden wore a Halloween costume for goodness sakes! I felt like I was planning my wedding again...not a 1 year old's birthday party. But seriously...you turn one only once (an argument I will surely make for each one of my babies birthday celebrations) so I needed to go above and beyond.

For the last couple of months, I have been planning, Braeden's Pirate Party (a theme daddy picked out when he was about 2 days old!)...I think all the planning was worth it as the party was a success! Family and friends came and celebrated at Powder Mills Park (what a risk having a March party at a park lodge...but it actually was a sunny and mild day!) with us from 1-4pm. There was lots of yummy food to eat (my pita platter was a hit...and Chris scoffed at the idea of having pitas and pizza!) and an overabundant amount of gifts for Braeden to "open" (ie, caress while mommy or daddy did the actual unwrapping). The "cake demolition" was great until Braeden managed to shove a handful of frosting up my nose causing me to inhale some....all I need...aspiration pneumonia!

I have a ton of pictures that I need to go through, but I will be sure to post them when I get around to it...give me time, I need to recuperate from all this party hoopla!