This weekend, we had Emerson’s grand shebang. As I mentioned in a few earlier posts, I waver violently between the pay-someone-else-to-do-this-crap-and-call-it-a-day and oh-em-gee-let’s-build-a-lemonade-stand-while-we-turn-cartwheels-and-hand-mold-our-own-balloons variety. This was the lemonade cartwheels handmade balloons kind. We had a blast. But it also kind of made me remember why the pay someone else kind is one smart route to take in birthday bash land.
We decided to throw a jewelry party. {And because boys like fun stuff too, I threw a little bouncy house into the mix.} I figured that way, the kids could waver between crazy, and creating. Most of the time, they were crazy. Because it was a little insane to try and have it at our house, we were fortunate enough to borrow the children’s wing of our church, and we threw it there instead.
We had a main table for food…and as you can see, we recycled our christmas garland {and threw a little more in}
And a jewelry spot…a kind of buffet, for making their own little creations. I brought in a lot of things from our home to work for decor, and that helped make the space a little more cozy.
I even made a few bouquets of these handy dandy Martha Stewart flowers. Get it? Jewelry party? Diamonds? Remember our fabric garland? I found a use for that as well, to mark the entry way to the bouncy house, just beyond those doors.
The birthday gal in her ensemble before the partay. She was so pumped.
We added a personal touch by carrying the striped look from the invites into little labels for everything. And chalkboards to spiff it up, as well. We used bell jars wrapped in scrapbook paper {the same patterns used in our pinwheel garland} and twine to keep beads and other supplies organized.
Our table included a ring pop display, for the kids to grab to their little heart’s content. I made a little styrofoam holder and covered it with glitter paper. Simple, but it worked! Get it? Ring pops? Jewelry partay? Okay. I’ll stop now.
My mother in law made these amazingly wonderful oreo pops for us. Didn’t she do a fabulous job? They were pretty great.
True to form: Of course she cried when we sang happy birthday. If Hollywood needs any professional cryers, you know, like the kind in a disasterous movie where there’s complete havoc and chaos, and they zoom in on the random kid who isn’t even a character in the story, to make you care more. Suddenly they’re crying, and it’s supposed to make you sad, and worry about the fictional kid in the middle of the crashing subway that Super Man is supposed to save? That kind. Surely there’s a good living in that? Someone please reimburse me for my four years of penance.
It was fun, but it was exhausting. And I’m pretty sure our entire family has now put us on party planning probation, as they were most definitely our clean up crew. ;} We think everyone had fun! Our kiddos certainly did! It was a great escape on a rainy afternoon!
Happy party day to my funny girl + happy monday to you awesome people!
Jen says
Such a cute party! Love the details and creativity.
Shauna@Satori Design for Living says
Such a cute idea! I hope the tears didn’t last too long!
Myra @ My Blessed Life says
Love each and every detail, Ashley!! Great job!! xoxo
Sarah @ Sarah in the Suburbs says
Love it!!! How do you manage to make simple decor look so chic?! You’re awesome 🙂
Kelsey Kronmiller says
That picture of her crying is priceless. And you description under the picture….LOL!
Erin Young says
how did you write so perfectly on the chalkboard???
ashley @ the handmade home says
I have mad skillz. Just kidding. An overhead. ;}
Erin Young says
great idea! thx
Jami Nato says
um, frame that crying pic. it’s amazing. and you are insane. great party. yes…fine…i’ll come to the next one.
Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} says
Oh my gosh her crying at the song takes the cake over any pictures of kids crying on Santa’s lap. Poor girlie . Has she ever said why it scares or upsets her? (I had to admit I totally laughed when I saw it though).
Love the oreo pops and polka dotted paper containers. Im weird like that.
shaunna says
Love it–so much fun. Parties can be tiring, but they’re a blast for a few hours!!
🙂
shaunna
Dorothy says
Up in the currently not so frozen Minnesota tundra, I am fascinated by all things Southern, so just knowing the birthday girl is named Emerson Lilly gets my imagination fired up. Such adorable decorations, such beautiful food, such creatve projects,……..so many busy little fingers. such hot, sticky little kids, …so many exhasted adults…….oh, wait, maybe it isn’t such an exotic Southern ceremony after all. Thank you for sharing!
angie @ seriouslyahomemaker says
girl, your attention to details is AMAZING! i am floored by that whole set-up! it makes me feel good that the party was hosted in a non-home place, though. because THAT ups the ante even more and i think if it were me i would explode. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EMMERSON!
ashley @ the handmade home says
ha! thanks angie! yes, it definitely ups the work factor, too. too much to move! You should have seen us hauling the giant chalkboard and barn door. ;}
angie @ seriouslyahomemaker says
EMERSON, YOUR NAME ONLY HAS ONE M IN IT, OK! Now we both know!
aimee @ smilingmama says
Love it! I think I’d like that party for my own next birthday! I always say, it isn’t a party until the Birthday Boy (or Girl) cries!!
Mary says
I loved all of your party decorations and ideas. Your pictures are beautiful too. It must have been a lot of work but I bet your tearful little girl loved it! Aren’t kids funny?
Laurie says
Hi! I was googling Oreo Pops and it brought up your picture! Your blog post was hilarious! I am an event planner planning my daughter’s 2nd birthday and so paragraph 1 had me laughing as I too wish I could dial a professional to do this party for me! Your party turned out great and I have made your blog one of my favorites! Looking forward to reading more about the handmade home!