Happy First Communion Day!

Today was Grace's First Communion. What a perfect day! Grace looked so beautiful and she did a great job doing her reading at mass. Before I post pictures of the party, I thought it appropriate to share a few pics of the day and of my "little" girl who is growing up all too fast!

 

Thank you to Mother Nature for cooperating!  It was a cool day, but given our early Spring, we were able to get lots of great outdoor pics.  Up next, the celebration :)  Thanks for looking!

Buckets of Prom Prep

No, not a real prom.  But, Grace's Birthday Prom.  Yes, I am already planning Grace's birthday party and yes, it is a prom.  It is actually a cute story about how she decided on a prom theme. 

A few days after her 6th birthday last year, we happened to be out at a nice restaurant in Green Bay (yes we have those).  Coincidentally, the night we were out to dinner was the night most area schools were having their proms.  A large amount of prom goes happened to be at the restaurant.  I think Grace died and went to glittery tulle heaven.  There were several times I had to tell her to stop staring at the girls.  At some point I had to take her to the bathroom and but for me leading her by the hand, she would have ran into several of the girls.  After we returned to our table, out of no where Grace announces she wants a prom birthday party for her 7th birthday - in one year.  Of course the idea of tulle, glitter, disco balls and pretty dresses had me totally on board.  So we've been eagerly anticipating Grace's prom birthday party since last year.

My only concern with the theme was that it would be too mature.  So to make it more age appropriate, I tried to pick a "prom theme" that 7 year olds could relate to.  At least when I when I was on prom committee (I know, what a shock) we had a theme - not that I can remember it now.  I came up with having an "Enchanted Prom."  I thought I could stick to princesses and princes (for the poor boys that have to attend) and castles and tiaras. 

I think I've admitted that I'm pretty good at looking to others for ideas, but I'm not the most original in coming up with my own - so this party is quite a challenge.  I have yet to find a Prom Birthday party on any of the great party blogs.  But never fear, I've been able to adopt some great ideas for the party.  The first to spark my imagination was this picture from Southern Living:

I picked up quite a few disco ball ornaments from Hobby Lobby in various sizes during the Christmas season but wasn't sure how I'd make them "enchanted" rather than more fit for a 70's theme.  When I saw the idea from Southern Living, I knew that was what I'd do with the larger disco balls.  So here is what I created:

   

I made three of these and plan to hang them above the candy/favor table.  I can't wait to see how they'll look above the table.

So much more to do for the party, but oh so fun!

Grace's Hannah Montana/High School Musical/Rock Star 6th Birthday Party

I am finally getting around to featuring Grace's 6th birthday party.  Prior to having this blog, my fellow party blogger, Betsy Pruitt from Belly Feathers was kind enough to post this party on her blog.  I am eternally grateful!  She was part of the inspiration to start this blog and has been so helpful as I continue this journey! 

Grace challenged me for her 6th Birthday.  It wasn't long after she turned 5 when she decided she wanted a High School Musical and Hannah Montana party - as if one Disney star wasn't enough!  As I think I've noted before, I'm not too crazy about "character" parties, let alone having two characters in one party!  But as any mom out there would do, if that's what your child wanted, you'd do it.  So like the baseball party, I gave it my all :) 

I thought one way that I could "de-character" the party would be to tie it together with a "Rock Star" theme.  The "rock star" aspect of the party really pulled it all together.  And the best part of the party, was the look on Grace's face when she came home from school to see all of the decorations and especially the stage.

This was the first year I let her have a "friend" birthday party.  I still think it's important to celebrate birthdays with family.  So I decided to host her friends from 11:00 to 1:00 and then have family arrive at 3:00.  That arrangement worked out great!  I only had to decorate and get ready for one day.

The guests were invited to come dressed as their favorite Rock Star.  The girls looked adorable!  This party was so much to plan and even better to throw given the excitement of all the girls!

The Invite

PaperStyle

The Favors

The Favor Containers were actually Easter baskets from Kohl's that I got at 90% off from the previous Easter!

 

Favor Tags - Ciao Bambino from Etsy

The guitars were full of Hannah Montana and High School Musical items, all fit for a rock star!

Each girl also received a microphone headset, blow up guitar and feather boa.

Each girl also received her own backstage pass that I created using my Creative Memories Digital Scrapbooking Package.  They were placed in backstage pass holders from Oriental Trading Company.

The Decorations

 

I printed off 8x10 backstage passes to place next to the posters.

I also created a number of signs to be placed around the party.

The Stage

Grace insisted on having a stage for the party.  When I told her we wouldn't have a raised platform, she was a little disappointed.  However, when she got home from school and saw this stage, she was ecstatic!

 

I made the speakers using large cardboard boxes.  I spray painted them black and used a stencil I created to make the circles on the boxes.

A vinyl sticker from UpperCase Living that I placed on the "stage floor."

The Activities

We had a Hannah Montana Tattoo Parlor and a Girl Power Salon.  I had make-up, fingernail polish, hair extensions and hair spray paint for each girl to create her own rock star!

I purchased cardboard guitars from Oriental Trading for each child to decorate.  I added the black center circle prior to the party so the kids would have a reference point from where to decorate the guitar.  

The girls played "pass the microphone" - our version of Hot Potato.

I had a guitar pinata.

And a rock star birthday party wouldn't be complete without karaoke!  My great neighbors let us use their karaoke machine.  I purchased a Hannah Montana karaoke C.D. from Great Party.  All of the girls LOVED karaoke.  I think we heard "Best of Both Worlds" 30 times.

Ethan was quite the karaoke singer!

 The Food

Cupcake Toppers - Ciao Bambino from Etsy

I adventured into cake making for this party.  Because some of my family (including me) is celiac, we have two cakes at most functions - one that tastes good and a gluten-free one.

The Birthday Girl

Grace's dress was from Etsy (the shop no longer is listed on Etsy).

Ethan's shirt was from the same seller on Etsy.

My rock stars!

I gave the adults who helped with her friend party, t-shirts that said, "Security."