Category Archives: Kiddo Parties

Party Down :: Clever Take on Train Party.

Due to the Peach’s love of trains, I seriously thought about doing a train theme for her upcoming party.  It is one of the most popular party themes out there for good reason–it is adorable, charming and fun for kids.  And I’ve seen a lot of train parties.  And Thomas the Tank Engine.

But this one that Alix hipped me to from the blog Sweetsindeed.com just took train party idea to eleven.

What makes this train party so totally charming is the vintage nod to Lionel trains.   My Dad grew up on Lionel trains and they were a huge part of my childhood for every Christmas.

How much do I love orange and blue together here?

What a great use of the vintage trains, eh?

Boxcars full of great healthy snacks too? And the little straw bales? Adorable! Well played!

So, I’m trying to get stuff together for the Peach’s birthday.  So many little details to iron out. Ugh.  We’ll see…

BTW, how many how many children should be invited to a two year olds party? Am I courting disaster by having–gasp–five? Eek? Thoughts, please!

The Coolest Elmo Party. Ever.

Friends, I have a confession to make.

I hate Elmo. The whole speaking in third person I find rather annoying.

There. I said it. Forgive me. I just love old school Sesame Street too much.  Give me Cookie Monster or Grover and I’m a happy lady.

I never thought I would ever write the words cool and Elmo in the same sentence.

Until now.

Alix forwarded me this post from Kara’s Party Ideas that featured a simply brilliant Elmo birthday party for one lucky Elmo-obsessed little kiddo.  The party was thrown by the Portugal-based event planner Mug and Mog and I bow down to Christina’s very clever take on an over-commercialized character.

But really you just have to see the photos to  truly understand the awesomeness.

I know, right? Unbelievable.

How can Ronald McDonald colors of red and yellow be this charming together?

The polka dot boot is killing me. KILLING ME!

That cake makes me want to become the vice president of the Elmo fan club. How can that be? Elmo was my arch nemesis!

Polka dots and gingham?  Elmo, you know me so well…

Seeing such a wonderful party  fills me with party panic for the Peach’s birthday gets me super excited about doing something for the Peach’s birthday! I can’t wait!

Kiddo Parties :: Cream Colored Ponies + Crisp Apple Strudle!

Last week we were talking about birthday parties because Dottie’s Peach is turning a grand TWO. I threw out the idea of a Matryoshka party, but I also wanted to share one of my new faves! The talented Mena Trott from Sew Weekly is incredibly clever when it comes to birthday parties for her little girl Penelope. I’m sure you’ve seen her ab fab “It’s a Small World” birthday. This past year she did it again! Check this out:

Weeeee! How cute is this little girl?? We’re off to a good start! Next step, a hand stitched backdrop for a perfect Alpine scene:

The cupcakes had little images of “favorite things”—raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens….

Speaking of….my absolute favorite part of the decor was the wall of play clothes:

This was inspired by the infamous scene where Maria (Julie Andrews!) makes play clothes for all the Von Trapp children out of the curtains hanging in her room. (One of THEE best scenes in the film!  “My Favorite Things” is such an amazing song…) Amazingly Mena found green and white toile curtains at the Alameda Antique Fair and she was able to make outfits for all of the young party guests (ages age seven months to three years old). How genius is this woman??? Wow.

The goodie bags? Brown paper packages tied up with strings!

The adorable party guests in their fantastic outfits.

Bravo Mena for this stunner of a party! Please stop by Mena’s wonderful blog, Sew Weekly. Her sewing projects are all so inspiring!!

An Idea for the Peach’s 2nd Birthday!

Yesterday Dottie asked you guys for fun-but-simple ideas for the Peach’s 2nd birthday party. I looooove all the clever ideas you guys threw out there! (the train party ideas all sounded SO great…)

I wanted to throw another idea in the mix…here’s my thinking. At age two your child KINDA knows what’s going on at their birthday, but you can still get away with calling all the shots. So why not throw a colorful fun party that the Peach will appreciate but YOU will looooooove. Yes Miss Dottie, I’m talkin’ a Matryoshka Party!

We can dial this sucker up and get crazy or we can keep it simple and sweet. Check it out! We begin with a simple piece of fabric as a lovely backdrop.

Add some colorful balloons, because really….who doesn’t love a nice red balloon?


images: mama_lindsay

For our invitations, perhaps these cuties from Draw!Pilgrim:

(these would also make smashing THANK YOU cards!)

Next question…..cake or cupcakes? This cake is sure adorable:


image: re-visao

…but with these adorable matryoshka toppers, simple cupcakes could look spectacular too!

Get them on Etsy from Paper Circus here.

Of course you’ll probably want to splurge on these nesting doll measuring cups to facilitate your baking. It seems only right! (nab them at Urban Outfitters)

For cute decor, and a fun toy for the kiddos, try these sweet peg people! Available on Etsy from my friend amy.


image: stephmodo

To keep the Peach entertained, a fun game of “Pin the Ribbon on the Matryoshka” might be just the ticket! (or perhaps “Pin the Babushka on the Matryoshka”??)


(You’ll have to check out Stephmodo’s cute spin on a Matryoshka Party!)

For a goodie bag—or even a fun and easy wrapping embellishment—simply cut out photos of Matryoshka dolls and glue them to crafty brown bags:

image: june at noon

Or you can get a little fancy and try something like this:

These appliques are darling, huh:

I think the Peach would looooove to push these little cuties around in her shopping cart! And I’d wrap them in a box, inside a box, inside a box! How fun for a little one to open up “nesting” presents??


from Etsy seller: regal cottage

Another gift idea…although I’m not sure who will enjoy this tea set more, YOU or the Peach! It’s pure stink town cuteness…..



Get the little cutie tea set from Urban Outfitters. (Which is apparently Matryoshka Outfitters)

Speaking of outfitters, you’ll need to dress your cutie in something fab. This little skirt is adorable and comes in a bunch of toddler sizes:

Buy one from Etsy seller valeriya.

And then for the stylish hostess mama….


You can get this one for you! From Made By Hannah

So there you have it! I think this could be easy peasy and super adorable! Whatever you decide on I just know it’s going to be smashing!

PS  And if you’re feeling reeeeeeally ambitious, you can make these little cookies. Hello Matryoshka!

Kiddo Birthdays: The Enchanted Fairy Forest

OK. I know it’s Widdle Wednesday, where we usually talk about those sassy lil pip squeaks a year and under—but when my pal Alisha sent me this 3 year-old’s birthday party, I thought it was so fantastic I just had to share.

Kelle Hampton is a fantastic photographer with a really lovely blog, Enjoying the Small Things. She is also mama to two beautiful little girls (Lainey and Nella) and boy does this lady know how to throw a party! When sweet Lainey turned three years old, Kelle created a completely special little Fairy party that will just make ya grin from ear to ear. Let’s take a look!


Kelle tells us:

“We ate in the woods. There was a glitter path (fairy dust, of course) leading the littles to a clearing among trees and pink tissue flowers, hanging fairies and pine cones and there, in the midst, sat a flowery table of pink just waiting for their smiles. Oh, I loved watching them arrive…finding their lunches, making their seat selections. And we mamas stood by aching from smiles taking it in…our sweet fairy littles.”

How amazing is that? But it gets better. The girls then discovered they each had their very own fairy tutu pinned to a charming clothesline. The little boys weren’t left out, they each received a little Peter Pan style hat.

Each child could paint their own Fairy House or fill a glass bottle with magical, glittery fairy dust.


Of course there were lots of sweet fairy treats for everyone to eat and cool Pink Pixie Potion to drink. Mmmm.

Look how gorgeous mama Kelle is?? This mommy and daughter photo is my favorite—so sweet.

Hurray for birthday girl Lainey! This party had so many lovely details but I think my favorite is that special element of surprise Kelle added with the glitter trail leading to the hidden forest table. What a great detail! I can only imagine the looks of awe and wonder on the faces of these little girls as they discovered the magical table. Thank you so much Kelle for giving us this fantastic peek into your beautiful little girl’s amazing day! To see even *more* photos, please visit Enjoying the Small Things.