On to the party...

I still can remember to this day when I turned five, what a "BIG" girl I thought I would be... the thought of going to "BIG" school and gaining some responsibility around the house (chores) made me feel very special. Alley-Pooh is so much like me and her personality almost mirrors mine at times ... everybody calls her "Little Tish". As her fifth birthday was approaching I could tell she had that same feeling I had when I was her age and I wanted to make her birthday party special for her ... something she could remember (and retain as a happy memory and maybe share one day with her own family). So, the theme of her celebration this year was "Candyland". Alley-Pooh came up with this theme on her own (sort of)... she enjoys the board game. 

Initially the plan was to have her birthday party at a local park, but here in Florida in February we can never predict how the weather will be (hot, mild, or cold). This year around her birthday it was cool (not too cold), but extremely windy. Due to other unforeseen circumstances (including the weather) we cancelled the park idea and had the party at our home. We had the party at the home I had completely wrecked with glitter dust everywhere, shreds of paper, glue... just the normal messy house stuff that happens when you're planning a party. It crossed my mind at least five times to just cancel her party all together, because my house was a mess and needed to be cleaned before guests arrived and it was just me and Alley-Pooh - there was no one there to help me. I can remember while cleaning (only a few hours before the party) thinking to myself, "I can't do this"... I plopped on the couch and Alley-Pooh ran into the Living Room with her little tutu smiling at me and said, "Mommy, I love you ... I can't wait until "we" decorate my pretty Candyland Party". At that moment, I knew that I could not cancel her party, I could not let my baby girl down ... I had to make the best of our situation.

The Birthday Girl...

The Decorations ... 

Table Decor - included rainbow table cloths and sashes, colorful paper/plastic partyware, and Candyland inspired centerpieces (Dum Dum and Chocolate Candy Topiaries, large Lollipops, and other edible sweets).