Birthday party for the princesses!

For the birthday party last year, I had a theme in my mind - Thing 1 and Thing 2 since the girls were turning 1 & 2. It was non-negotiable. But this year, I really wanted the girls to tell me what party they wanted and I was going to roll with it. It had evolved. First it was Minnie Mouse...then Doc McStuffins...then Yo Gabba Gabba (which they don't even watch anymore)...and then finally Princess. Princess seemed to stick an rightfully so. My girls are ALL girl. They dress up, wear jewelry and heels, style their hair and love fashion more than most. I was all for the princess party because it was something I could attempt to go all put for. Immediately I began to search for ideas...

I settled on March 29 (Good Friday) for the big day. Our dearest Claire was born on Good Friday three years ago, so it is only fitting. It also happened to coincide with Mike's travel week which made planning a little complicated. I had to be thoughtful of my list and plan out all shopping to work around buying with the girls. Best way to tackle this was a little bit each day rather than one big trip. Second, I needed to recruit my crew of helpers. Maggie naturally became my go-to gal. We did the girls birthday party entirely by ourselves last year as Mike also traveled the week leading up to their party. Except this year we made sure we did a little bit each day rather than burn the midnight oil like the previous year.

We made Tuesday our chocolate day. I had found a princess party that I wanted to copy (imitation is truly flattery). So we made chocolate covered pretzels, rice Krispy treats that we cut into heels, and chocolate covered marshmallows to look like apples. They looked SO cute and tasted even better.

Thursday was the food prep day. My sweet and talented friend Lisa assisted in fruit cutting to help make "magic wands" - grape skewers with pineapple stars on top. I have to give Lisa a world of credit because she hand cut those stars. The cookie cutter wouldn't go through the pineapple and she used a knife to cut. It's dedication! The results were amazing. And Maggie came to make the castle sandwiches and decorate the house.

Today came together SO well! The girls had their custom princess shirts, tutus and crowns and were ready for the party. And honestly, it was a fantastic party. We had the playroom and backyard ready for all of their friends. Mike went out early today and picked up a castle piñata last minute which actually worked out well (I admittedly was nervous of the idea of all 2 & 3 year olds trying to strike that and possibly each other).

My goal was for everyone to have fun. Sure, I got excited at the idea of throwing a party and being creative; but above all I wanted my girls to have a fun day and wanted their friends to have the same. My friends in Texas are beyond friends to me...they are truly family. I love them and their children just as much as I love my nieces, nephews, cousins, etc. I feel so blessed to have them and for my girls to have them. I wanted today to be a thank you to them for all they've done for me and my family. As everyone was gathered to sing "happy birthday" for the girls I couldn't help but tear up. It may be cliche to say this but it was just a moment where I felt so much love in the room. No one is forced to come and gather with your children - it is a choice. I feel blessed beyond words that we have all of them. Perhaps with the Easter holiday I am feeling more sentimental but I think of where I was 2 years ago: petrified of moving to a foreign place and not knowing a soul. To think in such a short amount of time I was able to become friends with the best friends I have ever had is something that makes me believe in the power of God's love. I don't take where I am each day for granted and feel very fortunate to be exactly where I am meant to be.

So as the planning has officially come to an end, I feel grateful that it came together and made the girls happy. I feel beyond grateful to Maggie and Lisa for helping me (I truly don't know what I would do without them) and most grateful to God for answering so many prayers.