Hear Ye Hear Ye, the Party Pics have Arrived!

After all the planning and all the work, the Royal Birthday Ball finally arrived! The slide show only shows the highlights of the party and I wish I would have taken even more photos. Everyone one who has pictures please send them to me. I'm so glad that so many of our friends and family were able to attend, you all really made the evening spectacular.
Here's a little summary of the evening...

Guests arrived to the "Castle" and graced the walkway that was adorned with pennants and royal signs. They then entered the castle and were greeted by the King and Queen of Hearts (me and Cam). Ladies were welcome to use the Bibbidi Bobbidi Beauty Bar and add a little extra flare to their outfits. On the way into the royal courtyard guests passed the Dessert Bar which featured a pink chocolate fountain and a variety of things to dip into it. The dessert bar also housed the Royal Castle Birthday Cake! If guests made it past sugar heaven, they entered into the main courtyard where dinner was being served buffet style. While outside, adult guests were encouraged to enter into the raffle for a chance to win fame and fortune, or wind up sushi and a smore maker :) Children were invited to make princess frames and shields at the royal craft table. After crafting, the party really started rolling with the Queen of Hearts hidden hearts hunt. Once all the hearts were found all those young, and young at heart, competed to see who could eat a large jello heart the fastest. It was quite the spectacle and several guests really showed their mouth stuffing talents. Following games it was time for dancing in the royal ballroom. The Hokey Pokey and Chicken dance were a couple of the crowd favorites. Next it was time to defeat the pinata. Too bad it was a unicorn and not a dragon, but the dragon happened to be sleeping in Valie's room. For those of you who passed by Valie's room you saw the warning sign. After several childen took a whack at the pinata all that was left was it's poor head hangin by the rope. I suppose that meant that it was time to sing Happy Birthday and cut the cake! Lemon with raspberry filling and cream cheese icing to be exact. While everyone enjoyed cake, princess Valie opened presents and made quite a royal mess. Following gifts, grown up party favors and thank yous were handed out and our evening came to a close.

Thank you so much to everyone who attened and helped with the party. I know it was one that Valie will never forget!

Shhhh, it's a Secret!

I thought I better post this on the blog just in case.  My mom, Cam, and I are not going to give Valie any of her presents until her actual birthday, which is the day after her party.  So if you know what her big surprise is don't mention it at her party because we aren't telling her until the next day.  Thanks Everyone, we are soooo looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday!

Painting Day!

Today was painting day!  I was hoping to get all of the big decorations painted, but unfortunately I'm going into overtime.  So tomorrow is yet another painting day :)  Valie did lots of painting with her grandma and me.  Here's what she looked like at about 7pm.  Hopefully she stays asleep and doesn't wake up to paint more at midnight!  Too bad you can't see her legs in this picture, they are covered in pink and purple paint.  But she didn't want to wash it off because she thought it showed how hard she worked :)

Mommy's Gone Birthday Bananas!

That's what Valie has been saying today :)  I suppose it's true.  I know and fully admit to my insanity.  Valie has been so sweet and helpful though through all the work and planning. Tonight she kept on asking what she could do to help.  So, she poked tiny windows out of die cut castles, wiped up the kitchen floor, helped stuff candy bags, made a few of her very own tissue paper flowers,  watered the garden, and helped me make dinner.  And now she is completely crashed out in the love sac.  

One thing I wanted to post on the blog for everyone is about COSTUMES.  It really doesn't matter if you come all decked out or not.  I just thought it would be fun and memorable to dress up.  It also doesn't matter if you want to be modern day fancy or medieval royalty.  Some people are breaking out old prom dresses (myself included!) or choosing a character to portray, others modern evening wear, and some are just wearing a plastic crown and calling it a day.  So whatever you choose to wear, we are just happy you are coming to celebrate with us!

Flowers Flowers Flowers

Tissue paper flowers have been around forever but they are new to me.  These are so fun to make, here is how to do it:

• Cut sheets of tissue paper in half and then half again so you have four equal rectangles from each sheet.
• Pick 7 pieces of paper in your choice of colors and stack them up.
• Fold the stack accordion style.
• Round cut both ends of the folded paper.
• Wrap a pipe cleaner around the center of the paper and twist the ends together to make the "stem".
• Fan out the paper on both sides and then separate the layers.
• Ta Da you have a tissue paper flower!

Valie is loving having all the flowers around the house.  But she is already picking out individual flowers that she wants to give away to people at her party.

Full Party Mode!

Ok, we are back from our little Vegas Vacation and now in full on party mode!  I have lists and party stuff coming out of my ears.  Here is Valie all dressed up at the Excalibur.  That is her new cat in the picture as well, Tink Dawson.  So my latest and greatest in party planning is that Party America in Sugar house is becoming a Zurchers and clearing out lots of stuff for 50 cents! So if you are having a party or are a nut like me and plan years in advance you should go, before I clear them out :). Cameron and I also bought a new organization system from IKEA for the exercise/everything room and I now have tons of cardboard to make into decorations, I'm excited!  

Valie's 5th Birthday is in 1 month!

I decided the time has come to start a new blog that is totally dedicated to my one and only baby's big day, Her birthday!  Everyone knows how much joy her birthday brings me and that I like to make it a big event.  So I thought I'd let everyone in on the journey especially since the big party is in 1 month and 1 day!  

By the way save the date  Saturday September 6th, 2008!  

All friends and family are invited!  

The theme for this year is a Royal Ball.  I'm actually having a harder time with this than I did with the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory party.  I think it could be that I don't have an exact mold to follow, so I am having to come up with my own original ideas.  But I am getting really excited and progress it being made!  

Here's a small preview:

• A giant Castle Cake
• Fun crafts
• Royal Buffet
• Royal Atmosphere
• Pink Chocolate Fountain
• A Court Jester
• Lots of party favors for the kids & adults as well
• Games fit for princesses and princes

I have lots of other stuff bouncing around in my brain as well but I like to keep somethings underwraps so it's a surprise for everyone.  Also, if anyone has suggestions or ideas please pass them along!  Especially if you can think of how I would turn my house into a castle! :)