Ashley's Rainbow polka dotted gymnastics birthday party

Tonight was Ashley's birthday party with all her friends. We had to have it 9 days early since we will be out of town the weekend of and the weekend after her real birthday. This has really thrown Ashley off with "why is she having her happy birthday party when she isn't 4," but she was as excited as ever for the evenings events. At the party when a parent asked Ashley how old she was, she responded with a very confident, "3 and a half!"

Ashley had decided on a polka dot party back around Anna's birthday (6 months ago) and through the months tweaked it to be a rainbow polka dotted gymnastics birthday party. See, I thought we'd have a home party for her but when Ashley mentioned that the kids she wanted there were AJ, Ryan and Caden (three boys in her preschool class) I knew that I had no clue about hosting a at home party for boys. My girls like structure and rountine going from one craft to a project to a game to an activity, etc. I have seen Ashley's boy friends in class and they just want to play!!! So we thought a whole class party in the gymnastics room at the rec center would be perfect. And it was :)

When planning Ashley's party a couple of weeks ago, we were trying to decide on her outfit. She told me she wanted to wear rainbow polka dots but didn't have anything in her closet. She looks at me and says, "It's ok mommy. You can make me one. Will you make me one?!?!" The time will come when they don't want me to make them a dress so I had to take advantage of it and brought her to the fabric store the next day and she picked out the "very best fabric ever!" When I finished the dress she gasped and said, "It's the most favorite dress in the world mommy. I love it!" She does look pretty darn cute in it :)

Ashley had also come up with an elaborate birthday cake/cupcake design that would have probably taken me 3 hours to do. I agreed to it and took her to Price Chopper to get the ingredients. As we walked into price chopper we spotted cookie cakes. She found one with rainbow polka dot sprinkles on it and said, "Mommy can they write Happy 4th Birthday on this?" I said probably so and she said I want THIS cake for my happy birthday. Thank you. I had suddenly been gifted those 3 hours back and bought that cake so fast so she couldn't change her mind. And I just finished a piece and it was amazing.

The party was from 5:30-7. Looking back I wasn't sure about a Friday night party (they were booked on Saturdays an entire month before and after her birth date) but am so glad I did it. All but one friend made it (her friend Courtney was sick), it doesn't tie up your middle of the day weekend routine, it was awesome to run off some energy at night AND I had the entire day to get ready :) Plus we never have plans on a Friday night. I just may have to have another Friday night party :)

Enjoy the pictures. I just love a good birthday party. And that it was :)

 I Love you Ashley!

 EXCITED!

 I'm four! Wait.... 1,2... hummmmm

 Oh yeah, 4!!! Like this!!!

 We got there 30 minutes early to set up.

  

 

 Abby was kept busy thanks to the Veggie Straws :)

Anna and Ashley set up the musical circles game. We played this game to determine who would be the line leader with Ashley. the kids were super into this game, I mean super into it. Party success!

 Passed time by coloring on the table :)

 Centerpieces made by Anna and Ashley :)

   

 The cake that saved 3 hours of my life. Thanks again Price Chopper :)

 The birthday girl under her "rainbow."

She had requested that a "rainbow" be at her party. We had these puffs left over and they saved the day :)

 Abby loved the party. She was really into coloring....

 And sneaking food. I mean the entire party :)

 Party Favors!

 Dinner with Friends :)

   

"Best dinner ever!" She loved eating with her friends. They barely talked to each other but had the time of their lives :)

   

The Jones Kids!

 The Harper Kids!

 The Cousins!

 The Epplers

 Preschool Friends Payton and Bridget

  

 Acting "shy" during the birthday song

  

 She was barely blowing so I had to spin the cake so the candles were closer to her. Much better!

   

Can barely contain the excitement during the musical circles game! And her music of choice- "Annie mommy. ONLY Annie!"

  

 Walking with Laney (the winner of the circle game) to head into the gym!

Open Gym JUST WITH HER FRIENDS! They played a couple of games but mostly got to just run all over the place :)

  

 Baby Piper. Parents of 1 year olds- buy this.

 Taking a mid party rest :)

 Parachute Time. They had a BLAST!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ashley and her friends!

 Silly faces!

 She got to pick out the stamp!

We didn't open gifts at the party because we didn't have time. Cooper really wanted Ashley to open theirs so we did after in the lobby. She LOVED it and we have already read both books twice and the look and find is priority #1 in the morning!!

  

 Presents, present, presents! Her friends sure spoiled her :)

 "Anna, Kate and Kate, you can open some of my presents too." Such a sweet heart.

This child freaked out over the monster high dolls her sisters got her (mommy won't buy them) and what the Epplers got her. I reminded her that the packaging says 6+. But to each their own....

  

Sweet Cards from her sweet friends :)