“UP!” Birthday Party

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I had the pleasure of attending this little girl’s second birthday party this summer.  Her name is Kaedence and she and her mother and father are very good friends of our family.  Her mother, my girlfriend Lisa, and I share a love for designing and throwing a detail rich party aimed at making sure that not only the adults at the party have a great time, but that the little guest of honor and all her little friends especially have the best time!

Lisa chose the movie UP! for her inspiration this year!  She went to town on balloons and rainbows galore and added in special touches straight from the movie. Some of the touches were literal and some were a play on the theme…  But, first she set the stage with making sure the backdrop of the party would go right along with things!  Let me show you how she did it!

In keeping with the Up! theme, Lisa sent her husband, Carlos, up to the roof of the house with a helium tank and a bag of balloons to get started on this special project! (I think here is where I am supposed to give you a “don’t try this at home” or a “before attempting to scale your roof, speak with your doctor first” warning!)

A welcoming display as people cross the breezeway to enter the back yard. Lisa took Kaedence for a photo shoot before the party and painted an inexpensive frame to match!

She made sure that her landscaping and flower beds and pots were color coordinated with the rainbow theme!

She made sure that her landscaping and flower beds and pots were color coordinated with the rainbow theme!

Such interesting displays throughout the yard.

Such interesting displays throughout the yard.

My daughter was checking it all out!

My daughter was checking it all out!

There was the “Spirit of Adventure” with a “Happy Birthday Kaedence” burlap banner moving across it.

A waterfall.

A waterfall.

This guy.

Painted wine bottles were turned into "Grape Soda" centerpieces holding baloons.

Painted wine bottles were turned into “Grape Soda” centerpieces holding balloons.

I made a two tier cake designed by Lisa that contained two rainbows... as you can see the rainbows have pink in place of red... with some rainbow balloons atop the cake. The top tier was covered in buttercream, but she wanted the bottow tier with raw edges to show off the rainbow colored layers.

I made a two tier cake designed by Lisa that contained two rainbows… as you can see the rainbows have pink in place of red… with some rainbow balloons atop the cake. The top tier was covered in butter cream, but she wanted the bottom tier with raw edges to show off the rainbow-colored layers. (psst… check out the squirrel hanging out by the cake! “Squirrel!…”)

Even the top tier that was covered was rainbow inside! (psst... check out the squirrel hanging out by the cake! "Squirrel!...")

Even the top tier that was covered was rainbow inside!

She wanted to make sure that each piece was served with all 7 layers!

Food was all set up atop a balloon printed table covering.

Food was all set up atop a balloon printed table covering.

Fruit kabobs… super colorful!

There were fun activities to be had!

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The girls had lots of fun with these hoola hoops! And check out the birthday girl’s cute outfit!  Lisa made the tutu herself!

There was a picture booth setup with the waterfall behind it... Some of the props here are a wilderness sash and yellow ball cap, glasses and mustaches.

There was a picture booth setup with the waterfall behind it… Some of the props here are a wilderness sash and yellow ball cap, glasses and mustaches.

We had lots of fun with that!

Over at the gift table, there was a mailbox ready for cards...

Over at the gift table, there was a mailbox ready for cards…

And check out these favors! Each child got a little mailbox that Lisa hand painted with their name on it, they also got an adventure book and a candy bar… oh and a balloon!

 

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A plain chocolate bar served as “Snipe Food” for the kids to take home.

 

She painted the outside of each cloth book and it gave the effect of leather… and notice the little gold trim detail.

Just a little photo album, but kid’s can have lots of fun with this one all summer!

(Lisa, shown here on the right, is even wearing her take on a scout costume)

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CamKaeLuc1

And everyone at the party received this special party favor... Little Miss Kaedence flying away wishing everyone a summer full of adventures!

And everyone at the party received this special party favor… Little Miss Kaedence flying away wishing everyone a summer full of adventures!