Frozen Birthday Party

Decorations were as inexpensive as possible. My brother brought the snowflakes from America, so I didn't have to cut anything up. I bought lace and fabric at the Fabric Market. We poured sugar in vases and placed figurines inside as well. We printed off free banner printables and hung those as well. 

I really am serious about blogging again. Why is it so impossible to find the time? So...I've been meaning to blog about Willow's 3rd birthday party--which was three months ago! Finally, finally, finally, I am staying up late to do so. During the first half of 2014, Willow was incredibly obsessed with Frozen. It seemed natural to throw her a Frozen themed birthday party. Here are some pictures from the dessert table. Later, I will post more pictures from the photo booth and candid shots taken by a friend during the party!  

The first decision that had to be made regarding Willow's birthday party was when it should be held. If we waited until her actual birthday, most of her friends would be out of the country for summer break. If we waited until they all returned, it would be a hectic time since school would be resuming and everyone would be very busy with that. So, we decided to have her birthday a month early. This way, most of her friends were able to attend. As we would later discover, it was a good thing the party was in June--since we were unknowingly destined to be in America from the end of June until the beginning of August. If we had scheduled the party for July, we would have had to cancel it. 

The invitation I made for Willow's birthday party 

The cake decorations were a spur of the moment thing. I had these lofty plans originally, but when I couldn't find a vital ingredient in time, ideas needed to change. So, as I was frosting the cake, I decided to use some Frozen toys, paper snowflakes I had in my scrap booking cupboard, and marshmallows to make Willow's cake more Elsa/Anna themed. There were also sprinkles involved, and the frosting was a wonderfully sweet and fluffy buttercream. 

We worked so hard making everything 'just right'. I turned my back for one minute, and that was long enough for Willow to finish decorating her cake. She thought that her addition of Olaf-on-his-face was awesome and was completely proud. I had trouble knowing how to react. Laugh? Cry? Correct? Leave it? Remove it? Stand it up? 

Served on the dessert table: carrot sticks and ranch, chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, snowflake sugar cookies, blue jello with whipped cream, white chocolate pocky sticks, white cake, cupcakes, chocolate dipped marshmallows, chocolate covered strawberries, ice candies, blue sprite, and melted snowmen (water). 

The laden dessert table would not have been possible without a lot of help from friends who came to help bake and decorate. Thank you, ladies! Yet another advantage to celebrating Willow's birthday in June was the fact that Brad was still visiting us. So Uncle Brad was able to represent Willow's extended family. He was also a huge help in decorating, setting up, taking care of the kids while I worked, and cleaning up. He is the guy responsible for the cute photo booth props and the pin the nose on Olaf poster. It helps to have a resident artist who knows how to use photoshop.

There is very little I can take credit for in this party. My friends helped with decorating and baking. My brother hauled supplies to me from the States. My husband blew up the balloons. Pinterest lent me some cute ideas and inspiration, as well as free printables...But I DID bake and frost the cake. So I will bask in the knowledge that even in China, I can bake something in a tiny toaster oven and use imported ingredients that are hordes year round, so that my daughter can blow out three candles on a proper birthday cake.

I didn't have a cake decorating set at the time, so the cupcakes looked a little strange...

While we waited for all the guests to arrive, we listened to Frozen music and the kids could make reindeer antler crowns or Elsa/Anna tiaras. Besides eating way too much sugar, party activities included a wintry photo booth, pin the carrot nose on Olaf, and a snowball toss game. After the kids were hyped up on sugar, Willow opened her gifts and read her cards. Then, we let the kids loose outside and played at the Aqu playground until dinner time. 

I thought the "Wanna build a Snowmen" kits were a brilliant idea I snatched from someone on Pinterest. Marshmallows, chocolate chips, orange mints, and pocky sticks. 

During Willow's party, I had a friend take pictures so that I didn't have to worry about 'capturing the moment'. I could simply concentrate on hosting, and had the ability to more closely observe Willow enjoy her special day. I think 90 minutes was long enough to hit all the compulsory components to a little girl's birthday party without overly draining her in the emotional department. Every day, I look at Willow and wonder in disbelief that she is three years old! I can hardly remember what it was like to live without Willow--she adds a lot of drama and sparkle to my life and I look forward to many more birthdays celebrating her life. 

Speaking of which....I wonder what Willow's 4th birthday party will look like? 

Toy Story Party: Part 1

Happy 2nd Birthday, Willow! 

bought the pdf for this cute banner on Etsy

If you've spent ten minutes with Willow, you'd find out that she loves Buzz and Woody. She likes to watch Toy Story 1, 2, & 3--those are probably her top three favorite movies. Besides Elmo, Buzz is her favorite character. If you walk through Wal-Mart, she's sure to spot a Toy Story product. If you are responsible for getting her down for a nap, she'll ask you to sing "You've Got a Friend in Me". She just loves Toy Story!

For Willow's second birthday, I couldn't decide what we should do. Should we have to separate parties, one in Lake Villa and one in Momence? Should we have no party at all and just get together for a fun event (like seeing Despicable Me 2 with our families or going to the Zoo)? I just couldn't make a decision until nearly the last minute. A few weeks before her birthday, Adam helped convince me to have a Toy Story themed birthday party. After a few trips to Hobby Lobby and Walmart, and some shopping on Etsy and Amazon, we were set for a Buzz and Woody party.

DecorationsThese little army guys made a few appearances throughout the party. Here they are propelling off the balcony, just like in the movie. Adam really wanted to find a baby monitor to put in the artificial tree, but that idea was too late on the scene. 

On Saturday, right after the baby shower, we started decorating for Willow's birthday party. Thanks to Adam's family for occupying Willow, and for helping with all the decor! Erica and Hannah definitely helped to make it all possible--I think it would have taken me ten times longer without them. 

Erica blew up all the balloons, and Hannah hung all the banners, streamers, and balloons. I made the Woody-themed banners from fabric I found at Hobby Lobby.

The Johnsons still have some vintage toys that make appearances in Toy Story, so we used those as decorations. I also bought some Toy Story figurines for Willow's birthday and used them as decoration during her party. Can you guess how many "cow pies" (milk duds) are in the jar? This was the only planned game that we played--really, there were so many games we could have done. But since Willow was the only 'kid' at her party, kiddy games were not a priority. Found the Toy Story printables and the guessing game template for free while searching google.

Pretty flowers from Cosco 

For the second year in a row, roses make an appearance at Willow's birthday party. Her middle name is Rose after all. 

I wrapped some vases in hemp and ribbon. Hannah and Adam found and dangled these monkeys from the kitchen light fixture.

Lots and lots of banners. When I bought the fabric at Hobby Lobby, the lady cut double the amount of fabric that I asked for. So instead of making one or two banners--I made 3 large banners, a double-sided table runner, and a dolly quilt for Willow. My mom also made a Woody vest for Willow out of the extra fabric.

 Found a pattern for a table runner on Pinterest that uses only one yard of fabric. I ended up extending and altering the pattern a bit so that the runner was a few feet longer than the pattern outlined.

 Cake toppers that became Willow's toys after the party was over.

Dessert Table 

Buzz Lightyear strawberry cupcakes, and a Woody chocolate cake. 

Willow makes me laugh every time she says "M&M's" 

 Guests and Gifts 

Opening all of her presents took so long, that we had to take an intermission. Willow was definitely blessed (and overstimulated) by all the positive attention and generous gifts! Party guests included: Grandma and Grandpa Johnson, Aunt Erica, Aunt Hannah, Uncle Luke, Great Grandma Johnson, Papa, Grandad, Gigi, Hadabogee, Grammie Pammie, Uncle Brad, Uncle Tom, and Aunt Emma.
Willow received so many cute outfits, a purse, nail polish, a Bitty Baby (from Adam and I) and many accessories (including a diaper bag from the Kangs, and a stroller from the Johnsons), Toy Story toys, a replacement kitty, a Woody vest, bubbles, little girl jewelry, a stuffed dog and doctor instruments, books, money, and so many other fun presents! She has been playing with everything quite happily for the past 10 days. Thank you, family, for all your thoughtfulness and sweet generosity!

Willow was so excited to receive a new kitty! This is a 'back-up' Meow from Aunt Erica...just in case the other one's head falls off or gets lost somewhere.

Cake  

My dad took many great pictures throughout the party. I'll post those in the second part of this post. Besides sharing lunch (lots of salads, baked beans, fried chicken, and fruit), opening gifts, and eating dessert together, we also sat on the porch and played Bags. My family had to leave before we could eat dinner together because it's a long drive back to Lake Villa and Tommy had differential equations homework to finish. I was so glad that they were able to attend Willow's birthday party--especially since my dad and Brad happened to be in town during that time. I was also glad that Erica got to be a part of the festivities too--having traveled to Momence from Nebraska.

At the end of her Toy Story party. Willow was confused to see her Kang family leaving--her two lives had collided for an afternoon and she wanted everyone to stay together!

Isn't this a cute little bandanna dress that my mom found for Willow at a consignment store? I totally forgot about it until right before the party--it went along very nicely with our Toy Story theme! :)