A Birthday Party for My Sweet Boy
My son, Jack, is 3.
Pardon me while I pause and soak that in…
What is it about 3? I was just saying to my mom that it seems like 3 is a big birthday. With both my oldest, and now Jack, they seem to flip a switch and all of a sudden they are their own person with their own quirks. Jack is blooming into his own little self, and it’s fascinating to watch. He is a super sweet little boy, and is also becoming more OF a boy each day.
So let me start this series by just saying (and perhaps emphasizing) this:
I am usually not a party person.
When I say that, I mean that I do not usually get into the perfection aspect of parties that you can easily get swept into. I think it’s totally fine for people to throw a Pinterest-worthy party, as evidenced by the fact that this one *might* (or might not) qualify as semi-Pinterest worthy. Up until now, though, I never thought I’d even want to venture forth and try one. Now that I am not getting paid to do the work I love (being home with my kids), I thought it would be fun to put some effort into a party and see if it feels “worth it” in the end. Today I’m just going to give you some highlights, and then in upcoming posts I’m going to give you all the deets on where I got my ideas (hellllo- Pinterest {okay maybe some were just my own}), what I liked/didn’t like in the end, etc.
I need to send a big thank you to my friend and fellow blogger, Tonya of Create-Celebrate-Explore. Tonya is an amazing woman, and she takes amazing pictures. She so nicely sent me many of the photos she took at the party. If you see a picture that says, “Thank you, Tonya” on it, she took it and I cannot take credit. I did just get a new camera, but at this party I had not received it yet, so PicMonkey (something I also found through Tonya) is helping me out, too.
Onto the photos. These are just highlights- more to come!
Invitations were from Shutterfly.
Birthday Balloon Wreath
(this will be a family tradition for us now)
Streamers- these were really fun to make! More on them soon…
We had a Scavenger Hunt for the kids- it was super cute.
Cupcakes are always easiest, and…
Candy pops, to boot!
Lastly, balloons. Ah, how my little boy loves balloons!
See you tomorrow when I’ll start spilling sources, how-tos, and more!
Party posts are my FAVORITE, so I can’t wait to see what else you did! I love the balloon banner – I think I’m going to have a lot more balloons than I have helium so I might be using it! My son’s 3rd birthday is next Saturday and I am in so much denial about him turning THREE. It’s such a big boy age!
These are GREAT party ideas! I’m totally pinning this!!
The party turned out amazing!! Love all the little details, the treats look delicious!
Holy crap! There are so many cute things here! I can’t wait to see and read more details! LOVE those scavenger hunt bags! So smart for kiddos who aren’t reading yet!
Wow so awesome, Nat! I am not a party person either but I love seeing all the beautiful things you did for Jack’s party! Well I should say that I am totally not a party person for MYSELF. However I LOVE seeing how OTHER people decorate and celebrate. For example – I had my wedding on the beach with just me and hubby and that’s pretty much it… a traditional wedding and party was definitely not for us. And yet I LOVE attending traditional weddings/receptions and seeing the colors, decorations, flower arrangements, bride and bridesmaid dresses, table settings, etc… all the thought and planning that goes behind making each celebration unique and beautiful in its own way (the cake presentation at YOUR wedding is still my favorite EVER). Anyway, what I am trying to say is that your party pictures look like they belong in something like a Martha Stewart magazine. If I used Pinterest I’m sure I would “pin” it or whatever one does to recommend something wonderful to others. The party looks just lovely. Thanks for sharing and happy belated birthday to Jack (and you too)! I am looking forward to more of your photos… I noticed that SOMEONE got a nice new camera… =)