Hazel's birthday was a success! And somehow it happened right in a small window of health in an otherwise sick week full of many viruses. Hazel hasn't always had birthday luck when it comes to health (February is a rough month, man!) so I am so grateful we had a chance to celebrate to the fullest on her birthday and then again for her party on the weekend. 💗
I had saved the balloon arch that I made for another birthday with the plans to use it again for Hazel's birthday- so back up it went!
Traditional birthday coffee cake!
My mom and sister and her kids were in town this week and we were able to pull off the added miracle of taking all the kids swimming on her birthday- Hazel's request.
Locker room shenanigans!
That evening we went to Denny's for dinner, her choice.
So it was a good day!
A few days later it was her party. This year she requested a Disneyland party. If you've been around here for a while then you know that I quite enjoy throwing parties.... and the fact that I grew up in a Disney centered home made for way too many ideas that I had to narrow down. So yes, this party was my attempt at keeping things "simple." haha BUT... like... Disneyland! I had to go all out, right? Somebody back me up here. And I'll admit, I was happy about how it turned out and the kids all had so much fun and Hazel was beaming. I also have to say that I could NOT have pulled it all off without my mom and sister's help and of course, Buck's, bless them all.
I went with an original Disneyland theme- so I stuck to the four original lands: Fantasy land, Adventure land, Tomorrow land, and Frontier land. I paid homage to Main street as well and the castle. I had Main Street music playing and then had authentic music playing for each land as went there.
The amazing cake was, of course, made by my amazing sister in law!
It wouldn't be Disneyland without popcorn, churros and Mickey ice cream bars, right?
Or bunches of balloons!
And I have to brag about my sister, who made all the signs for the lands. She kept saying "This isn't going to look good." And then it always looked AMAZING and so perfect! I do not have these kinds of art skills!
And of course everyone got some mouse ears!
After the kids got to enter the "park" and eat some main street treats, we headed to Adventure Land. For this land they got to color some Tiki Room Birds and then eat some Dole Whip ice cream. :)
I made my mom do this for the photo... haha because it's a very "Disney" thing to see- all day the street sweepers who keep the park so sparkly clean!
Then the kids got to go to frontier land where we ventured into Pirate Island! They got to become pirates and go on a treasure hunt to find some gold!
And then to Tomorrow Land we went! We got to play "Buzz Lightyear's blasters" (a fun and cheap little laser game I found.)
And then eat some pizza from Pizza Planet!
And then it was time for Fantasy Land where they got to get a little pampered at the Bibbity Boppity Boutique and then get a twisty lollipop.
And then they had a surprise visit from Elsa. I made sure to make them all stand in line to get a photo with her. ;)
Afterwards Hazel got to open presents, because she hadn't been spoiled enough.
And then there was one final activity. This put my party over time so maybe I shouldn't have done this BUT the kids loved it and Hazel said it was her second favorite part (second after the laser game ha.) So I gave each kid a cardboard box and and let them go at it and decorate it into their very own "parade float."
By this time the parents were there so they got to put on their parade for everyone, all to the music of the "Main Street Electrical Parade."
Lastly, cake!
I know, I'm crazy- and yes, we were all exhausted after this. 😅 But it was worth it.
I do fear that I keep setting the bar higher and higher for these
parties... So next year maybe I need to calm down a bit. 😉 (But not this
year because now I have several other children expecting a balloon arch and epic party so.... yeah.)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAZEL! WE LOVE YOU!! 💖🎉🎈
