We had Natalie's 6th birthday party today. Her birthday isn't for another 3 weeks, but during the summertime rush to escape this unrelenting dry heat everyone goes out of town. We have found that she likes to have her friends show up to it, so we've learned to have her party before school is out. This year's theme was luau. A friend of hers had a luau theme a couple of years ago, but we liked it and put a different twist on it so that's what we opted to do. I found a plethora of luau supplies at that cursed dollar store so, regretfully, they got several of my dollars too. I generally make the invitations, but they had them at the dollar store, so that was one of my purchases. 
When they finished with that they got to paint these cute little wooden pineapples- also from the dollar store. (I am hanging my head in shame.) Natalie LOVES to paint, and since they went along with the theme we got them. I'm not sure how everyone will use them, but they had a great time painting. 
After they'd done that for about 45 minutes we had everyone get out of the water, where they were instantly dry- no towel required (I'm only exaggerating a bit), and they got to eat. I made pigs in a blanket. Natalie took one look at them, and declared, "I am NOT eating those. They are sooooooo disgusting." I was really worried because a couple of her friends agreed. I made 24 of them, and we ended up only having 2 left. Not bad for 16 little girls! (Yes, I realize that's slightly insane. We invited 21, and 15 showed up. Our parties are generally really well attended. I think it's luck!) We also had cut up mangoes, pineapple, kiwi fruit and strawberries. For drinks I had pineapple sherbet in the punch bowl with Sierra Mist (because it was cheaper than the Sprite) poured on top. At Natalie's request I also sliced up several lemons for the lemonade.
When they were done eating we did the pinata, which Natalie insisted on having, despite the fact that it was a luau not a fiesta. 
When they were done with that I gave them each a hair bow that I made (the flower ones), and we opened gifts. Everyone wanted to stand up and see what Natalie was opening. I hope I got everything down right so I can give everyone the correct thank you!
Natalie believes that the party symbolizes her actual birthday, so she kept telling us she's 6 now. I finally convinced her that her birthday isn't until next month. I think she believes me.
To start I cut out literally hundreds of tropical flowers from cardstock using my Cricut. They already had holes in the center so that made it easier. We cut long strings from jute and straws in 1" sections. The girls made their own leis using those items. Here's a few of them...
When they finished with that they got to paint these cute little wooden pineapples- also from the dollar store. (I am hanging my head in shame.) Natalie LOVES to paint, and since they went along with the theme we got them. I'm not sure how everyone will use them, but they had a great time painting. After that we made sure everyone had sunscreen on and let them play in the new double Slip N Slide we bought specially for the party. They had so much fun with that. I seriously considered going on it a couple of times in my clothes just so I could cool down. It was ridiculously hot even though we started the party at 10:30. 
After they'd done that for about 45 minutes we had everyone get out of the water, where they were instantly dry- no towel required (I'm only exaggerating a bit), and they got to eat. I made pigs in a blanket. Natalie took one look at them, and declared, "I am NOT eating those. They are sooooooo disgusting." I was really worried because a couple of her friends agreed. I made 24 of them, and we ended up only having 2 left. Not bad for 16 little girls! (Yes, I realize that's slightly insane. We invited 21, and 15 showed up. Our parties are generally really well attended. I think it's luck!) We also had cut up mangoes, pineapple, kiwi fruit and strawberries. For drinks I had pineapple sherbet in the punch bowl with Sierra Mist (because it was cheaper than the Sprite) poured on top. At Natalie's request I also sliced up several lemons for the lemonade. BTW, please don't laugh at the cake. I am NOT a cake decorator. I am a baker. I make yummy , but not necessarily decorative, food. With the theme we tried finding a cake that would fit in the theme... after Natalie soundly rejected a pineapple upside down cake. She chose the flavor and colors, and I did my best to fake a hibiscus. For leaves, she didn't want another cake. Oh no. It had to be cupcakes. So I made several "leaves" using cupcakes. Work with me here! Blur your vision, move away a bit, and I think you can see it...
When they were done eating we did the pinata, which Natalie insisted on having, despite the fact that it was a luau not a fiesta. When they were done with that I gave them each a hair bow that I made (the flower ones), and we opened gifts. Everyone wanted to stand up and see what Natalie was opening. I hope I got everything down right so I can give everyone the correct thank you!Natalie believes that the party symbolizes her actual birthday, so she kept telling us she's 6 now. I finally convinced her that her birthday isn't until next month. I think she believes me.
1 People left their thoughts:
None of the pics are enlarging. hmm.... So why don't you put another with just Natalie up so may bad eyes can see the birthday girl. We love Miss Natalie!
Post a Comment