Five years ago I had a baby girl and my life was forever changed. From the first day she has been spunky, passionate, smart, and loving. This weekend we celebrated her birthday. Her best friends and their parents came over to enjoy the warm last-day-of-summer in the backyard and celebrate.
I popped into Michael’s craft store for a face painting kit. How cute is this pirate!? The Snazaroo face painting kits are easy and at under $20 much more affordable than hiring a face painter.
Since we are still at the age where parents stay at birthday parties (and we want to hang out with our friends anyway!), I knew there would be more adults than kids. I wanted to be sure the food was kid and grown-up friendly. It was also imperative that most everything could be done the night before, as I can count on exactly 1 hour a day (naptime) to get things done without a 2-year-old crying, “hold me, hoooowed me!” Let me tell you, the pictures may look pretty, but the pre-party was anything but, as I tried to blow dry my hair with said 2-year-old under my arm. Lets just keep things real. All you mammas know what I’m talking about.
One of my favorite sandwiches: layers of roasted eggplant, zucchini, bell pepper, and herb goat cheese. Very popular with the moms 🙂
The birthday girl requested egg salad sandwiches. I made some on baguette and some on soft, easy for kids to eat sandwich bread.
The pesto pasta salad with peas, tomatoes, and mozzarella was very popular with the kids, and is also great packed in lunchboxes! My munchkin helped herself to seconds.
The no-candy pinata. I know, I’m the meanest mom ever. I filled the inside with plastic bracelets, stickers, and fruit leathers. The thing about pinatas is, it’s hard to find really cute ones. So I set out to recreate this DIY one and spent a ridiculous amount of time after the kids went to bed hot gluing tissue paper rosettes. My husband and my burned fingers were looking at me like I had lost my mind. Pretty sure they were right.
To my surprise, the birthday girl requested ice cream “in pointy cones” rather than cake or cupcakes. I loved her idea. One day before the party we dipped the tops of the cones in melted chocolate and sprinkled with rainbow sprinkles. We let them harden on a wax paper lined tray in the refrigerator since it’s been hot.
Sprinkles, face paint, family and friends, and a huge pink bow on your head. What more could a 5 year old birthday girl want? Happy birthday to my sweet girl! How did 5 years go by so fast?
Easy Birthday Party Menu
Click the links below for the printer-friendly recipes.
Most of the party supplies (cute spoons, forks, etc. from Sweet Lulu – I love that shop!)
Hey:) Just want to say that I really love your blog, and hope it is okay that I borrow a couple of pics in my recommendation of your blog. It's written in norwegian, and just describes what you write about and why it's one of my favourites:) Looking forward to read your book!
You were completely sane to make that beautiful rose covered pinata for your daughters celebration! What a great idea. Love the decorated cones as well. Sounds like a marvelous celebration. xo ebb
Love the party post and I love the new look of your blog, especially the new photo with your chicken. So colorful! Those ice-cream cones totally drew me in. The kids and I made a batch of those this summer with the dark chocolate hardshell my daughter whipped up. It was so easy and such a fun activity for them.
I love how you always include your daughters in the posts. It really personalizes everything.
Your girls are precious! The party looked amazing, I hope it went so well! You have a beautiful family! The food also looks amazing, can't wait to try the roasted eggplant, zucchini, red pepper, and goat cheese sandwiches and pesto pasta salad!
This looks like such a fun party. I'm sure the kids had a great time and the adults had to be in heaven with your menu. I especially love those veggie sandwiches. Fun party and great photos!
Looks like a beautiful party…simple yet very elegant and lots of time to actually spend with guests and not fuss over too much. Your pinata is beautiful and I hope the kids loved breaking it open, even without candy. I fully support putting in other types of treats that don't rot your teeth!
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful birthday celebration! So many sweet details for her to remember! And thank you for sharing the link on SMA. I am signing the petition!
Best mama ever award!! What a fun birthday party for your sweet girl. I love all the details, and I have to say I think the things you filled the pinata with were way better than candy anyways! 🙂
Everything looks so pretty and delicious! It sounds like it turned out to be a fun day, even if pulling it all together wasn't so great. Love the pinata…my daughter would love it too 🙂
Marina, you made an unforgettable birthday for your daughter, and I am sure, she will cherish it forever. All the effort you put into pinata turned into many-many smiles, making everyone happy. You are such a great mom! 🙂 As of years… tell me how come my baby is already 16?! Where all those years went?… 🙂
I'm so glad you're here! I'm a busy mama to two sweet girls and a bunch of funny animals. I'm passionate about sharing the beauty of real food through plant based recipes. I hope you find many easy, nourishing, delicious recipes your family will love.
Looks like a fun birthday party for sure. I love the extra chocolaty-sprinkly cones. Yum!!
Oh my goodness, you are so talented, Marina!! Love all the special touches and the pinata is just gorgeous!
Oh Marina! What a gorgeous post with such lovely inspiration! Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter!
Everything looks absolutely perfect Marina!
You really know how to throw a lovely party.
Beautiful new look!! I love all the pink! And, of course, what a lovely looking party. It must have been a wonderful day for your little girl…
Marina, what a beautiful party. I love all of your attention to detail!!!! Happy Birthday to your special girl.
I love your ideas, so much fun and all the work is done before hand so you can enjoy the party as well.
Just beautiful Marina! So sweet.
Happy Birthday to your 5 year old sweetie! xo
Hey:) Just want to say that I really love your blog, and hope it is okay that I borrow a couple of pics in my recommendation of your blog. It's written in norwegian, and just describes what you write about and why it's one of my favourites:) Looking forward to read your book!
http://www.matihjertet.com/?p=380
how freakin cute and adorable and just beautiful! Happy bday indeed! Love the menu
You were completely sane to make that beautiful rose covered pinata for your daughters celebration! What a great idea. Love the decorated cones as well. Sounds like a marvelous celebration. xo ebb
What a fun party!
So adorable! My girls are swooning over your photos! Love the pirate face!
Fun! Your kids are so blessed to have you as a Mom!
Happiest of Birthdays to Miss B! She's a lucky little lady : )
So pretty. Looks like the kids had a lot of fun
Love that piñata! You have such darling ideas!
Love the party post and I love the new look of your blog, especially the new photo with your chicken. So colorful! Those ice-cream cones totally drew me in. The kids and I made a batch of those this summer with the dark chocolate hardshell my daughter whipped up. It was so easy and such a fun activity for them.
I love how you always include your daughters in the posts. It really personalizes everything.
xoxo,
Jackie
Your girls are precious! The party looked amazing, I hope it went so well! You have a beautiful family! The food also looks amazing, can't wait to try the roasted eggplant, zucchini, red pepper, and goat cheese sandwiches and pesto pasta salad!
What a beautiful Birthday party! Loved the pictures and the food was gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing with us all!
Marie
This looks like such a fun party. I'm sure the kids had a great time and the adults had to be in heaven with your menu. I especially love those veggie sandwiches. Fun party and great photos!
Looks like a beautiful party…simple yet very elegant and lots of time to actually spend with guests and not fuss over too much. Your pinata is beautiful and I hope the kids loved breaking it open, even without candy. I fully support putting in other types of treats that don't rot your teeth!
What a beautiful birthday party! Your daughter is lucky to have a mama like you!
What a wonderful party, it looks amazing!! And I love the new layout of your blog!!!! xoxo
Oh my goodness, what a beautiful birthday celebration! So many sweet details for her to remember!
And thank you for sharing the link on SMA. I am signing the petition!
Such a lovely party!! I actually linked you up because I was so inspired by your pinata makeover. Check it out if you like: http://www.vixenmade.com/2012/09/10-clever-party-ideas.html
Best mama ever award!! What a fun birthday party for your sweet girl. I love all the details, and I have to say I think the things you filled the pinata with were way better than candy anyways! 🙂
Everything looks so pretty and delicious! It sounds like it turned out to be a fun day, even if pulling it all together wasn't so great. Love the pinata…my daughter would love it too 🙂
Cheap face paint kit very good on the birthday. And the food is very delicious to eat. Very enjoyable birthday party. Birthday Party Dubai
beautiful photos, beautiful party, yours children must be so happy, I am in love with this sweet blog 🙂
Marina, you made an unforgettable birthday for your daughter, and I am sure, she will cherish it forever. All the effort you put into pinata turned into many-many smiles, making everyone happy. You are such a great mom! 🙂 As of years… tell me how come my baby is already 16?! Where all those years went?… 🙂
what fun! this looks like an amazing party
Oh, how I have missed your beautiful blog…my friend.
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