heart to heart blog

How many of us share the same conversation with our 3 year old daughters, “I want to have a PRINCESS party mommy!” And we ask ourselves “when will the princess phase end?” Well we just hosted Bear’s Third Birthday Party and it was all out PRINCESS. (actually it was Princess & Pirates – so her little boyfriends didn’t feel weird coming to a costume party).

So how did we go about making the Princess Party Personal?
Here are some tips and pictures will serve as inspiration for your next Princess Party.

For starters – let them “dress up” for the party. It’s a great reason to wear the princess attire. Who says a tiara at a bowling alley is too much? When Bear asked if she could wear a princess dress on her actual birthday to the bowling alley, she was quite shocked when I replied “SURE, why not.”

During Bear’s Princess & Pirates Party with her little friends, my sister (mommy mentor of 3 boys 10, 8 and 6 years old) encouraged me to structure the 2 hour event. She’s done this several times so I paid attention to her advice.

Crown & Eye-Patch Decorating Table: We had a craft table set-up during the guest arrival, children could decorate a crown or an eye-patch to accessorize their already dashing outfits.

Musical Chairs are too difficult for 3 year olds but “Pin the Crown on the Princess” or “Parrot on the Pirate” is PERFECT!

We had a bean bag toss game – which they loved.

How about a Princess Crown Sign? It added a little fun to our decorations. (it was a little OTT for me but you guessed it, my turbo husband was all about the sign)

Our favors were Glass Slipper Cookies with a note that said- “Bippity Boppity Boo, A sweet glass slipper just for you! Be sure to eat before midnight- your attendance at my party was such a delight!”

And for those of you who are inspired to make your own cake. Try the Princess cake. Bake your cake in a bowl, flip upside down, insert the princess Barbie doll and begin piping frosting.

So our little Love Bug turns one in August…I’m thinking a kite party in the park. How hot is Atlanta in August? Any & all birthday planning tips are much appreciated by all of the working moms at Graco.

Note from Lindsay: Since I decided not to read the invitation completely, my kids weren’t in costume (can you imagine?!) but Kim was prepared with a box of other princess dress ups so B didn’t feel left out! Thanks Kim!