Hailey's Spring Fling

My daughter's best friend Hailey was turning two and her mom, Erin, wanted to throw her a fabulous and fun Spring Fling birthday party. Bright colors, happy flowers and hand made pinwheels really set the tone for this over the top May event.

The focus of the party was fun fun fun and Erin set up a child's paradise in her backyard. The lawn was covered in a multitude of irresistible play zones: a bounce house, splash pool (with swim diapers and sunscreen on standby for those without), kiddy wading pool, rainbow parachute, teepee, playhouse and swing set. The kids didn't know where to begin, although most of them found their way to the big splash pool, including my kiddo, who I'm not even sure got out a "Happy birthday, Hails!" before she was stripping down to her bathing suit so she could be the first to dive in.

The fun zone

The birthday girl approves!

The driveway was transformed into a happy, brightly colored dining hall with the help of rented tables and chairs. We scored these vibrant paper lanterns, plates and table cloths from The Dollar Tree to carry out her Spring Fling theme. Erin created a dozen balloon flowers to dress up the white gates and welcome guests into the backyard.

We set up the favor bags on the kids' table so they wouldn't be forgotten about and not get taken home. These simple white lunch sacks were filled with goodies and dressed up with colorful name tags attached with bright and cheery pinwheels from the Dollar Tree. So cute!

Gift bag detail

To pack a big colorful punch we hung a hand made felt "Happy Birthday!" pennant banner above the food tables and created a miniature dessert table to display Erin's sister-in-law Lisa's amazing and adorable sugar cookies.

Dessert table detail

The family talents also extended to Erin's sister Bonnie, who created the fantastic flower power cupcake tower for the kids to enjoy instead of a traditional birthday cake. Just the perfect size for little hands!

The kids all had an amazing time and the parents were really wowed by all the care and attention to detail put into this party. As for the birthday girl? I think her face says it all:

Happy birthday, Hails!

Splashin Around

Aaaah! Summer's in full swing and we are totally making the most of the glorious summer weather. Abs has a best friend named Hailey (or "Hails" as Abby calls her). They met in Gymboree, but really it was because her mom and I kept crossing paths in random places all around town that their fate as besties was sealed. They've been friends for over a year now and, considering they're two, that's like forever.

Today we took the girls (and buddies Thomas and Julia) to a new place to play in Stanton - Harry Dotson Park. It was uh-mazing! Tons of playground equipment. But not just your typical run of the mill monkey bars and swing sets. Oh, no. We're talking real rock wall boulders, an enormous pirate ship for climbing and sliding, and a kick ass water-fun section for splashing and keeping cool. There's also tons of shaded picnic tables for parents to watch the kids from and best of all it's FREE! The perfect way to while away a summer afternoon.

The ship - pretty awesome, right?

Climbing . . .

. . . climbing . . .

... and more climbing.

Matching swimsuits. Yup - we're those moms.

Splashin' around.

Banana break!

Flower children

Thomas says, "D'oh! Girls!"