Earth Day 2014

The kids (read: Kenny) didn't appreciate me skipping over the earth day party last year so he kept reminding me every day for two weeks that it was going to be earth day and I needed to make a party for them. I love that he does that. And I love making parties for them, I just sometimes get bored of the same themes year after year. Since Kenny's new room is a map/world theme, I couldn't resist it as the perfect backdrop for an earth day party!

The funnest little party-ers that keep me going all the time

I just love Kenny's room theme!!
Party printables from One Charming Party HERE

This year we added globe and map cookies to the party mix

Einstein's bagels wrapped in maps were a huge hit

That's pure enjoyment right there!

We decided our activity for this year would be painting a bird feeder for our backyard. Ellie has been wanting one for a long time and the kids loved the project.

Yes, that's an extra sterile table cover from the OR one of the nurses pawned off on me that we threw down on the floor...perfect for messy activities!

Dr. Seuss Birthday Reading Party

I was going to just skip past Dr. Seuss day this year, but the kids knew it was coming and begged me to have another Dr. Seuss party like last year. So I took the easy road and recycled all the decorations and ideas...easy peasy and they were more than ecstatic, even nostalgic about it this time around.

Our Dr. Seuss book cookies are always the highlight. We made lots and lots of extras this year to send to their school classes.

Look familiar?

A new twist on the Dr. Seuss book cookies this year...color your own Dr. Seuss cookies.  The kids LOVED this and I felt so clever making them!

Busy busy decorating

Paper sac puppets

Ellie's favorite obsession right now--foxes

Still eating the candy well into the night // reading up on foxes, Dr. Seuss style

Valentine cookie decorating party

We decided to throw together a last minute Valentine's Day Cookie decorating party this year. Definitely didn't put as much effort into it as last year, but it turned out cute and the kids loved it. We all had sugar highs for days to come, so mission successful. 

Sugary goodness

Ellie is always so concentrated

This fudge tunnel cake is a family favorite: RECIPE

My Little Pony Rainbow Sprinkle Party

Ellie has had her birthday theme picked out for nearly a year now. My Little Pony has been her favorite for the last year and to Ellie, anything tastes better with sprinkles so there was nothing more fitting for her.

It's actually really fun planning a party for a 4-year-old girl because she gets so excited about all the prep work and is constantly in the kitchen with me baking and thinking of new ideas. I figure if I put in my time now letting her help, then someday she will actually speed up the process instead of slow it down ;) .

Ellie's birthdays always end up being more of a whimsical style. It seems to fit her personality. 

Sprinkles, sprinkles everywhere

The family shot would not be complete without one of Ellie's ponies in her face

Cake decorating table

These little felt ponies took me FOREVER to make, but Ellie loved them so it was worth it (kinda sorta). I would definitely recommend using a sewing machine instead of stitching them all by hand like I did. We made enough for each girl to take one home with her.
Tutorial Here 

These ice cream cone cake pops were by far the cutest of the treats

Waiting for all her little friends to arrive

I covered these Papier-mâché letters in rainbow jimmies for a fun backdrop 

We made each girl a baking apron with a my little pony picture on it for her to decorate as we waited for all the guests to arrive

Ellie decided she wanted a blue apron to be like rainbow dash

Ellie took all her friends outside to jump on her new trampoline

Ellie didn't like to stop and pose with her pony, but we still snuck a few shots in

Grandma Patty flew all the way from Utah just to be there for Ellie on her big party day. We sure love grandma.

All the little cake plates lined up for the girls to decorate their own cakes on

Ellie hard at work making her masterpiece

I was surprised how long these girls lasted decorating their cakes. They put so much thought into each one, it was adorable!

More fun cakes

Their finished products

Pony races outside

Treat cups to thank the girls for coming

Ellie got SUPER shy when everyone sang happy birthday. She wouldn't even blow out her candles! I guess there is a first for everything...normally we have to relight them five times until she's happy.

Four little candles all in a row

Piñata time

My little pony sugar cookies we made

Caught sneaking a few more gumballs

Kenny was such a good sport even though it was "just a girl party"

Ellie decided to dive into her cake face first

Such a fun little party

We sure love our Ellie!