Ladybuggin' Day

Allie's 5th birthday was the funnest party I had ever planned by far.  I attribute that to the invention of Pinterest.  I got nearly every idea from there once Allie told me she wanted a Lady bug themed party.  This party was also the highlight of my life at the time because the school year was ending just 3 days later, I was sick with a fever (I found out later I had a sinus infection and an ear infection) but I still loved every minute of it.  It was great having Allie's help with it too. She was so interested in the process of party planning, even helping me create lists, scour Pinterest (she picked out her cake on Pinterest), and put things together. She even put together her own party bags.

Her actual birthday fell on the the day before her party.  We gave her our presents on that day because I just could not let the day go unnoticed.  She received a Leap Pad, 2 games for it, a puzzle book and a Rapunzel doll that she wanted.

 

Her party day:

I was most excited about her dessert table. It was so much fun to create :)

Since my dining room walls are a deep burgundy, I made them lady buggish by adding spots to the wall.  It was so funny when guests would notice them, but they all eventually did.  A nice touch, I thought. :)

The lady bug straws were red vines, the lady bug munch were raspberry flavored M&M's that I found at Target. They were the perfect color! I found them at Target. The lady bug logs were pretzel sticks dipped in melted chocolate and sprinkles. So messy to make, but yummy! I tried hard to make kool Aid popcorn, but it wasn't very popular. Probably because it wasn't very good, but it looked pretty.

The  bug juice was a recipe of sprite (or was it 7-up?), cranraspberry juice and raspberry sherbert ice cream. There was an ice ring in there too with all the berries you can think of frozen inside of it.  I made it using a bundt cake pan.

The raspberry spots (that I just NOW realized I spelled wrong. I didn't know there was a 'p' in raspberry until I typed it just now and the spell check let me know) had a single chocolate chip inside them.  Those were almost too easy to make.

Here cake. I received so many compliments on this cake and it is so basic. The goal was to NOT spend hours on the cake like I usually do.  Success! I used boxed strawberry cake with white frosting that I tried my hardest to tint red. In real life it was more like a hot pink than red, but Allie was happy with it. Any one know how to make frosting truly red, not deep pink? I used a whole tub of the colored gels and still could not get red out of it.  I used oreos for the spots and I piped melted chocolate to make the center line. The antennae and legs are made with pipe cleaners.

When Allie and I were shopping for supplies for her birthday, she ran across this box of lady bug clips her guests could make.  It made 32, perfect! We scooped them right up.  All Allie's idea!

Treat bags and party antennae for her party guests. All the things in side are red and Allie picked them all out.  There was a pencil, a pencil sharpener, a mini tape dispenser, an eraser, a wind up lady bug and a bubble ring.

The banner I made for her.  The first thing I made for her party.

The party room. My door bell was ringing with party guests right as I snapped this picture.

The dessert table with lady bug wall. It turned out so cute if I do say so myself!

No party in the year 2012 would be complete without a little subway art, right? I LOVE subway art and a different one is printed out and put on that top shelf every single month.

Allie is about to open her presents.  She received 12 Barbies! 12!! She got a few other things as well but it was just so funny opening those gifts. "Oh ANOTHER Barbie, thank you!" ahaha! I think we are set for life in the Barbie department.

Singing Happy Birthday to my sweet 5 year old. She was counting us all down to sing, like she does for every party. It was a great day and even though I was sick, I didn't feel it until the next day because I was so focused.  I can't wait until the next birthday party :)