Her first birthday party with friends...

After a long pause of not blogging (due to busyness and computer issues), I am borrowing a computer to add to the blog. Obviously a lot has happened since Mother's Day but for now I wanted to blog about this weekend's 5th Birthday Party! I have always had simple "parties" for A. which involve her 2 cousins and the grandparents. Lately she has been attending other children's parties and she was ready for a birthday party with friends. After debating what theme to have, she eventually chose Butterflies! Given that the focus of girls is princess I was a bit worried about finding enough butterly items. Not so!

Here we are taking a moment for a family picture. Because family lives far away and were unable to come, I was nervous about having enough help. I chose to get D. a babysitter at the party. This way he could be part of the action but not a leg clinger! I also asked a good friend (who happens to teach 4-5 year olds) if she could help and also be my photographer. She is not a professional but just a friend who was willing to use my camera and take some pics. It turned out to be great having someone behind the camera so I could be part of the action!

Here she is blowing out her candles!

One game we played was a relay race involving running to a tub of water to get a bar of soap out. Unintentionally, it was a great way for them to wash their hands before eating!

We also played drip, drip, drop and butterfly, butterfly, FLY AWAY (both versions of duck duck goose- the drip one involved water and the butterfly one is what A. came up with!)

Here is A. holding her butterfly cake and wearing her butterfly dress. For the cake I made a double layered round. I cut the cake, turned it around, and then shaved the cake to make the wings stick up more. The shaved part became the body of the cake. Then I made fondant using marshmellows, powdered sugar, and crisco. It was fun marbeling the fondant and then making some bolder fondant of purple, pink, yellow. I had SO much fun doing it!

We bought reusable plates of orange, pink, green, and yellow. The favors were cups, a butterfly straw, a baggy of colored Goldfish clipped with a clothespin and pipe cleaner to look like a butterfly, and also a butterfly photo holder.

I was proud that A. invited an equal number of boys and girls- though 3 boys were unable to attend. We had a great day (but 2 hours can be a long time on a hot July day!)

As we were cleaning everything up, my daughter said something quite amazing. She said, "Mommy- thanks for making this the best birthday party ever. Thank you!" Surprised, I asked her why she thought to thank me for her party and she replied, "Well, I know you really wanted the best games, the best food, and I really loved it all, Mommy! I had so much fun!"

Next big party... the BIG 10! :)