Strawberry Shortcake Birthday Party!!!

Quite possibly the longest post in blog history...don't say I didn't warn you!

Yes, I could have split this post into several to cut down on the number of photos, but who has time for that when there are other parties to plan?? He, He, He Click on the collage to see it bigger.

Here it goes...

My sweet 3 year old little pumpkin!

She was so cute and so excited for her Strawberry Shortcake Birthday Party. When she told me, "Thank you, Mama. This was my BEST birthday EVER!" it made all the late nights planning her party worth it.

A Little Welcome Sign The morning of the party I decided we needed something to disguise our not-so-pretty flowerbeds and POOF! the signs were born :)

Remember these wellies??? They make cute decorations too! The Birthday Hats! Not happy with the ones I found, I decided to make my own...for every sweet little party guest (sounds simple enough, right? yeah, right - by the 10th hat, I started wondering what in the world I was thinking...and then by the 17th hat - you don't want to know what I was thinking). Anywho...Pink + red for the girls and red + green for the little guys with cute initials for the kids and the number "3" on Grace's.

Tableware I wanted to go all vintage but that wasn't very cost effective when it came to plates, napkins, cups. I'm not too crazy about the modernized SS. I really prefer the original Strawberry, don't you?

One more peek at the invites - so cute! You can see more of those HERE. Vintage Candy Cups - love those! Sweet polka dots and a super sweet pic! The Cake...also known as "the request that started it all". You can read more about that HERE. It was so yummy too! White chocolate tinted pink just for the little pumpkin :) And no, I didn't make it - I have a super sweet local cake baker that makes all our cakes. I am in awe of cake decorators and how they can transform an idea into a masterpiece! Love all the cute details! The cute table all set up - yes, an explosion of pink + red with a bit of green mixed in just for fun! The little pumpkin was so excited to see it all set up for the first time! And who can resist a little taste test of that cake?! Seeing her so happy made ME so very happy!! Right before the party started Papa J surprised Grace with one more party guest. Her first fish! She was so excited! She only had one question: is it a boy fish or a girl fish? It's a boy...and she didn't hold that too much against him ;) She quickly named him Tiki Tiki (?) Time to get this party started!!! I love that our backyard sounded like a school playground. There's nothing better than belly laughs in my book! I LOVE this little guy!! Princess Amelia in her Castle! Bubbles, bubbles everywhere! Time for Cake! (every party needs a little faux pas, right?...I completely messed up the timing of the Chicken & Sausage Spaghetti, so we had cake before dinner) Get ready Hudson! It'll soon be your turn!! Loving every minute of it... Make a Wish! Cake, ice cream, and Strawberry Shortcake cupcakes! The little pumpkin made my day when she decided to forego a slice of cake in favor of one of my homemade cupcakes - love that girl!

Time for presents!! Some favorites...Skittles lip gloss in a cute SS tin purse - thanks Carson!!! Girly girl all the time! Not sure what this is called - Fiber Optic Light??? Grace LOVES this! Thanks Aunt Tammie!! A mama favorite - the SWEETEST vintage SS books! Thank you Preston!!!
Relaxing... Party Favors! Cute "strawberry" buckets for the boys (my attempt to adapt a super girly theme for all my favorite boys). and tin lunchboxes for the girls ...all filled with fun goodies to enjoy! THANK YOU family & friends for making the little pumpkin's special day so much fun!
HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY, GRACE!!!
Mama, Daddy, & Hudson LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! ♥ XOXO ♥