Zombie's birthday parties are always prepared a little over 6 months in advance.
This time is used to gather party supplies prep DIY decorations and spend hours "researching" Pinterest for unspeakably cute and memorable birthday accents.
We knew from the beginning we wanted something small and intimate with a top priority of bringing in good vibes only and settled on a sleepover and small get together. With everyone we've got going on however, my party planning began 2 weeks prior- for this neurotic perfectionist, this was a HUGE deal.
If you've been following me for awhile you know Shamu (the orca) is Zombie's valentine, the light of her soul, the prince charming who will save her from the castle. So we turned our living and dining room into an orca habitat.
My mom got the blow up fish and hanging sea creatures on sale as summer is long gone and the candy I strategically wait until Halloween candy goes on 75% off and BAM! I attack! As our guest list was smaller this year two bags of candy was more than enough. I got toy plastic orcas at the Dollar Tree and my mom made mini pinatas using toilet paper rolls, zebra striped wrapping paper and printed orcas as a label.
On our multiple trips to SeaWorld we acquired the party hats for the kids.
For the decorations I had Hubs hang blue and white streamers from the ceiling and I used fringe plastic tablecloth for the jellyfish tentacles and seaweed. For a SUPER SIMPLE tutorial click here
I used two shades of blue table cloth for the "waves" and plastic head caps and tissue paper for the inner part of the Jellyfish- which were the biggest hit of the afternoon! Hub's friend who just moved to town happened to have worked in balloon art back in Puerto Rico. Just my luck! So naturally I put him to work and he did two gorgeous columns which were the perfect fit for my banner wall!
Our turnout was better than we'd imagined! We kept our mini guests busy with shooting games, under the sea dominoes, Bubbles, tug o'war, pin the tail on the whale (a beautiful poster done by my little sister) and we played Free Willy the movie while everyone ate cake and wound down.
I know the event industry is booming right now and there's a strong emphasis on birthdays, weddings, even dinners being beautiful decorated down to the smallest accent but after all is said and done my heart was full with the thought my daughter spent her 3rd birthday with people who wholeheartedly love and cherish her. People who would've cared less if I'd put up a few balloons and had a plain vanilla cake.
(Photo by Naiciry C.)
