Stella turned 3 on July 12 and I have been meaning to post pics ever since. I thought that I was getting back in a groove, but then everything went crazy again. We had the party in our yard, and thankfully the weather cooperated. That night we had a huge lightning storm and rain, but it only started just as we were packing up.
Stella requested a “flwower party” and so naturally all the little girls wore flower dresses, and we had a flower cake. It was the first time I used rolled fondant, and I was a bit disapointed with the choice of colours available. The only other options were baby pastels or primary red and blue. These ones were a little bright for my liking, but the kids seemed to like them.
I made tissue paper flowers (thanks Martha) for decorations, but also for the girls to take home as favors. We strung up lots of cloth and paper banners in the trees and it felt very festive.
We had about 10 families over for the afternoon and dinner, and while doing the invitations I realized that every one of our friends that we see regularly have all girls. Lots of fun when you want to have a flower party!
Awhile back I found a box of about 15 blank ceramic fairies sitting on flowers at a garage sale (for free!) and so for a craft the girls all painted one. They were really into it, and it was lots of fun for the parents to watch too. One of the girls painted hers in only black and red, making a very comical vampire-ish fairy. Stella has since repainted her fairy almost every day. I even got to use my collection of vintage aprons as smocks for all the girls – it was nice to put them to use.
I moved her play tents outside for the party, and it was sweet to watch them play in there together. I wanted there to be enough to do outside that they could just play and be happy, without planning too much. The only planned thing we did was the painting. We had a dirt pile with a hose (always a big hit), some play tents, an easel, bubbles and some toys and they seemed to have a lovely time. We surprisingly didn’t have any sharing issues or any fighting, and it was such fun.
For dinner we had a pasta salad bar, my favourite go-to party meal. I like it because I can cook and prep everything the day before, and then party day all I have to do it set everything out. It is nice to not have to worry about people not liking something, or allergies, because they can pick and choose what they want. I usually put out a few kinds of noodles and salad dressings, and then all kinds of veggies, cheese, olives etc. Very yummy, and there is usually lots leftover meaning I don’t have to cook for a few days too!
I seem to have lost most of my photos from the party, which I find very sad. I have just switched computers and somehow in the changeover I lost a few weeks of photos. There was a lot more I was planning to show you, but I suppose this will have to do.
Happy birthday Stella girl. You are more amazing every day, and I am so lucky you are in my life.
