The Royal Princess Party 11-19-08

6 months ago after Kyson's 3rd birthday, Maliyah announced that she wanted to have a Princess party. The planning began immediately! Everywhere we went she would see things she either wanted for her party, or as a gift for her birthday. She hasn't been into Christmas and birthday ever so much as she has this year. I guess that's what comes with age. It's nice though because as soon as she asks if she can have something at the store and I say no, she will suggest it as a birthday present. It makes saying no soooo much easier!

So this post has like a bazillion pictures of what we have planned and created over the last six months and few weeks especially. Maliyah is a details girl and that's what made it so fun! She loved every minute of all of it, the invitations, the planning and decorating, the cake making and especially the party!

The Invitations (thanks Katie for the fabulous idea!)

I didn't have any double sided paper I liked, or that was fancy enough, so I printed paper on the packside and added glitter to the original front side!

This picture doesn't do justice at all! Katie's was much better....But we did burn all the edges and added sparkle the want in the picture. It was super fun for Maliyah to hand them out personally to each of her friends.

The Decorations (Thanks Duck for all your help!)

I made Duck stay up late with me the night before to have everything set up so Maliyah could wake up to a pink princess wonderland...and that's exactly what happened, from Fabric draped from the ceilings, tulle lining windows and doors, and streamers for every room, Maliyah noticed every detail!!

aThe princess hats, gloves and Wands that each girl got to wear.

The Royal Throne where each girl got their picture taken.

Birthday Banner....thank you cricut!

I love decorating my own wrapping paper, and this was wrapped for Aunt Neenie (since Maliyah was wearing her birthdya present from us!)

We decorated each girls bag with their names in glitter and sparkly flowers. I also decorated little mini bubbles and each girl got a glass slipper

In each bag was a little princess wood coloring craft, a rice crispy treat wand, lip gloss, princess note pads with silver and glittery pencils, and one of those little wash cloths that are in shapes and open up when wet....of course they were princess! Over the past six months it was hard not to buy like every little princess thing we saw, I felt that although I splurged a little, spending only $13.50 for all six bags was pretty good! (and that included the cost of the bags! - most items were from Joanns or the dollar store in case you are wondering)

All pink from the table cloth, tinsel, confetti and the floral centerpiece.

I found some beautiful Glass serveware at a yard sale this summer, I got two sets and two different yard sales in the same day! Yay!

The Cakes

The Royal Cake Table (more like a royal pain!)

I wanted to learn fondant for these little Tea Cakes, but when it got closer to the event I knew I wouldn't have the time (although maybe I would have!) I wanted each girl to get their own and for them to all be different. 2 problems....one I needed way more frosting and couplers to satisfy the needs of all the different frosting colors, two, I really should have just make my own frosting. I knew I should have, but was being rebellious thinking I could do roses from store bought frosting....yeah no. I spent hours waiting for the frosting to harden enough in the fridge just to get them to work, (which they still weren't that easy) then they had to sit in teh freezer forever so that I could then move them onto the cakes! The most pleasant part of making these cakes is the new leaf tip I got. I loved it! Still a pain with that frosting, but way easier than the roses!

Oh yeah, and to keep them from getting droopy once on the cake, I had to keep the cakes refridgerated. Good thing I made them the day before!

The blue and Green one is Kysons...he loved all the frosting he got! Of course none of the kids could finish their whole cakes, so most of them were wrapped up and got to take them home.

The Party

This was Maliyah's just friend birthday party. We usually invite the friends whole family, but I decided five is when they are old enough (and their friends old enough) to make it just friends. Oh golly it was so much cheaper and easier! She could only invite five friends, and four were able to make it.

First thing when the girls came is they got to make a bracelet (of course!) They all did a really good job!

At this point I hadn't taken any pictures, Duck was gone taking Jade to the Dr. so I let them work on their bracelets while I went and took pics of the decor and cakes. When I came back I was informed of Maliyah's politeness talking about how Beautiful everything is! What a great hostess!

Before we ate food and got clothes all dirty (princess dresses!) We had each girl have a seat on the throne for pictures. All but one had theirs taken, and they were all very excited for their turn. Although I didn't get a close up, Maliyah's hat was extra decked out, but she didn't wear it too much because the fabric in the back ended up being a little too heavy, should have stuck to the tulle!

After we ate food, we played games. The first one was kiss the frog prince. Since Maliyah hadn't known the story I figured others might not either so first we sat down and I told Camille's quick version of the story!

Most of the girls totally got into it and excited. I had bright red lip stick they got to wear and then kiss the froggy. Of course they loved the lipstick part of it and totally had fun with the game! But guess what? He didn't turn into a prince! I guess none of the girls are real princesses?

We also played find the lost slipper. Maliyah has a couple friends younger than her (and two that don't play this game in church all the time like we do) so had a hard time realizing that when we sing louder, that means they are closer....so it wasn't hugely successful, but they loved the hiding the slipper part!

Last, but not forgotten, was opening presents. Each girl was so excited to get to come stand next to the throne with Maliyah while she opened her presents. I have to say having it done this way sure worked a lot better than just all the kids watching from the floor. Usually when that happens I don't see the birthday kid until all present are opened. They get mauled!

Horsey Blanket and Pillow from Aunt Neenie! She loooved it!

The whole party! One of the girls little sister came dressed up, which is why there are six preincesses in this picture, and then another girls brother came, therefore the boys in the picture. I had made some hats for Duck and Kyson, which Gabe borrowed, so the boys wouldn't feel left out in all the dressing up! Don't all those princesses look so beautiful! Wow! What a fun party. It was so fun we still have the decor hanging up four days later!