Emma's Birthday: The Details

I started researching birthday party ideas about 2 months before the actual event. I chose ladybugs because it was cute, classic, non-commercial, and there was a clear color scheme to tie everything together. I had a lot of fun putting together the details and decorative touches.








Things to remember:
*I gave prizes (to everyone) after each game, which each child put into a bag that became the "goody" bag. I thought it was a great idea, and it might be for older children, but three-year-olds can't keep track of their own bags. Plus they had so much fun playing the games that it didn't really matter about prizes. Next time I would keep all prizes for the end.
*Loved these tissue paper pom-poms from Martha. They could work at almost any kind of party.
*Party games! We played classics that I remembered from the backyard birthday parties my mom used to throw for us. Frankly, I could probably play a version of the same games for the next 6 or 7 years.
*I kept a party notebook for ideas and kept internet links on xerpi. I am going to keep that notebook to replicate ideas for future parties.
*I made a schedule for the party and posted it in the kitchen to help myself remember everything in the midst of the controlled chaos. You need to keep toddlers moving!