Danielle's Birthday

Danielle turned six yesterday and she really wanted a birthday party. I really am not feeling up to much these days, I think that anemic thing is really taking a toll on my energy level. Plus, I know what it takes to throw a party, which is a whole lot of work. It is all worth it, of course, but if you don't have the energy to give, it takes a lot of options away.

My children can have a birthday party every other year because if we did it every year that would be five birthday parties each year, not to mention all the holidays. That is fun, but exhausting. So on their year off, we still have a family party, they get to pick the menu for the day, I get them balloons, make them a special cake, and make the day special. For supper we have Troy and Becky and their family over and the birthday child really feels special. We just do without the big party. This year Danielle wanted a party, so what to do. She didn't have one last year so if she wanted one, she could have one. Taneal and Camie and I got together to plan what to do. I was resistant because of all the work involved, but Taneal and Camie assured me they really would help. And I knew they would help because they help out around the house all the time. They are great kids. So we decided on a tea party. I ordered some crafts from Oriental Trading, Taneal planned the menu for the tea party, I made the invitations, and then we all pitched in to pull it together.

And Danielle had FUN! Many of her friends came. The food was so cool looking. Taneal, Camie, and my niece Audrey were all servers at the party. They even dressed up in black and white with an apron. They each took two or three children and made sure they had all the help they needed with the crafts.
And I got to sit back and enjoy, only stepping in to do things like the cake, cleanup, preparation, etc. It was so much fun and I LOVE having bigger kids that are able to help. The party ended up being all fun and stress free. You can tell from the pictures how happy Danielle was, which was the goal. And now my little girl is 6, feels absolutely special, and had a very fun party that was all about her.

Taneal came up with some really great food ideas. She had a magazine that she borrowed from her cousin Audrey that had most of the ideas in it. The oranges are full of jell-o. There are bananas wrapped in a fruit roll-up, cut and sprinkles placed in middle. We dipped marshmallows in chocolate and then put sprinkles on them. The strawberries are dipped in cool-whip with sprinkles. And the cake. Why I decorate cakes is beyond me. They never turn out. This one was leaning all over the place, I couldn't get the frosting to match the sprinkles, and it felt like a disaster. But Danielle thought it was wonderful, so I guess that it why I keep doing it. If I was getting better, then it would make more sense, but I have less and less time so I keep getting worse and worse. Maybe when I am not pregnant or with a toddler in the house, I will be able to spend the time making beautiful cakes, but for now we will have to suffice with a thrown together cake that would only make a child happy. Success there, too. I made a separate cake for when Troy, Becky, and Audrey came over for supper, didn't want to have them eat a half-eaten birthday party cake.

Happy birthday, my sweet Danielle, It was not only a great day for you, I really enjoyed it, too. Thanks for sharing!