Pocket Full of Parties: A Recap of My Little Ladybug's 2nd Birthday Party!

Monday, January 17, 2011

A Recap of My Little Ladybug's 2nd Birthday Party!

In looking back through my blog, I realized that I talked a lot about the preparations for Kira's 2nd birthday party, and I reviewed the sites on which the party was featured, but I never did my own blog post to feature the party. That is what I hope to accomplish with this blog post!

My Little Ladybug

Kira's birthday colors were pink, purple, and lime green with hints of orange and turquoise (wonderful color combination for a summer birthday party!). The scheme was Little Ladybug.

I began planning Kira's birthday party FOUR MONTHS before the actual date! At this time, I knew I loved party planning, but I did not know I had a knack for it nor that it was something I actually had time to do and do well! I went through a few trials and tribulations, recognizing that I did not want a pre-packaged party from a party store, contacting a party planner thinking I could never do this myself, communicating with an old friend who had just started a party printables business on Etsy (Kori of Paper and Pigtails Party), and seeking advice from one of the best in the business (Kate Landers Events, LLC). In going through this process, I gained the confidence to DIY this party completely! On top of that, I launched my children's party planning business, Pocket Full of Parties.

Here are some photos and a brief account of the party:

1. Entry table: We had the perfect piece of furniture (a long console table) at the entry of our home, and I decided to make this the "introduction" to the party. The backdrop was three photoboards (picked up in the dollar section of Target!) with pictures of Kira from birth to age 2. On the table was some of the key items of decor that set the tone for the party: light, fun, and child-centered. And to make the table pop, I hung three tissue poms. Many on of the items on this table came from Target, from local stores, and from wonderful artisans on Etsy.

2. Children' Table and Activities: There were three areas specifically designated for the young guests of the party. I set up a children's activity table with crayons, ladybug-themed color sheets, crepe paper streamers for children to dance with (we had a friend DJ the party, which sparks another of my party planning recommendations: use friends who have skills, such as baking or photography, to save money!), bug and flower-themed silly bands, etc.

There was also a children's dining table, where the children could feel special eating their food, cupcakes, and candy, and completing their craft activity.

The craft activity was decorating picture frames with ladybug and flower stickers. I took a photo of each child during the party, and they left the party with (amongst other things) completed picture frames with a picture of themselves to put it in them! This craft activity was a success!

Finally, my husband organized and supervised a bounce house in our back yard. My input was, of course, to make sure the colors of the bounce house matched the party colors! LOL!

3. Food Buffet: Even my food buffet was artfully displayed. I chose an array of food to be children and adult friendly: veggies and dip, crackers and cheese, fruit salad (watermelon, cantaloupe, and honeydew to match the party colors), veggies chips and dip, bagel pizzas, and quiche). I have to give credit to my mother for doing the majority of the food preparation and cooking!

And my favorite...

4. The Dessert Table: The dessert table was the most fun, and probably the most affordable, display to design for Kira's party. I decided on cupcakes because I knew they would be easier for my daughter's little hands to manage. I also made them myself using Duff's yellow cake mix and butter cream icing (which I highly recommend!). The cupcake tree was purchased at Target along with the tin containers that displayed the color-coordinated Jelly Belly beans. I also found some amazing things at Home Goods, including a beautiful pink and purple hanging chandelier/wind chime.