Spring and Party Fever

I love this time of year.

Even though the weather has been a bit of a freak show, spring always reminds me of the things I most thankful for.

My hubby.

I got married in the spring, and this May we celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.

{Not sure how ten years have already gone by, but they have}.

My parents.

They both have birthdays in the spring.  I wouldn't be the person I am today without their love and support.  I know they always have my back and I can count on them any time, day or night.

My babies.

All of my girls were born in the spring.  They have March, April and May birthdays, so when spring finally does roll around and the sun decides to make its debut, I get party fever {not to mention baby fever}.

I thought I’d share some of my favorite shots from their Under the Sea party.  The pics are a couple years old, but I love the walk down memory lane they take me on.

I hope your spring is off to a great start!  We're on break this week and loving EVERY minute of it!  Enjoy the rest of your day and thanks for reading :)

A Chocolate Tree For Miss B

If in the past 6 months you’ve visited our house, saw us at school, ran into us at the grocery store or bumped into us in the public bathroom, then you’ve heard this:

 “I’mGonnaHaveAChocolateTreeAtMyBirthdayISoEsscited!!!”

 Translation? Yes, please.

 “I’m going to have a chocolate tree at my birthday!  I’m so excited!”

Believe it or not, my now 3 year old has been saying that for over 6 months!  After being inspired by her L.O.V.E of chocolate and a specific episode of Dora that involves a singing and dancing chocolate tree, the ‘Chocolate Tree Birthday’ was born.

{Don’t worry; I worked some bacon in there too.  For those of you that know the birthday girl, you know what I’m talking about}. ;)

M came to my rescue again.  I told him about my ideas for this chocolate tree that I’d been dreaming up.  The plan was my take on those vinyl tree decals for walls that have shelves you can hang where the branches would be.  We took that concept and tweaked it a little.  We made the whole thing out of wood and made it free-standing.  First I made a tree shaped pattern and traced it on the plywood.  He did the cutting, then I got to painting.  The end result was perfect.  How could we tell?  When the birthday girls saw it she squealed “is that my chocolate tree”?  Yep.  Perfection.

 Add 26,573 lbs. of chocolate candy, cake pops, cupcakes, milk and birthday cake, and you’ve about summed up the party.  I hope you enjoy all the pics…….we only took OVER 500.  Ridiculous, seriously ridiculous.

Here she is in all her glory.  I used the tree to display cake pops {I glued paper flowers onto the sticks to
look like blossoms on the tree}, Hershey Kiss acorns and chocolate dipped strawberries.

This was the drink station.  We served up ice cold milk {both plain and chocolate}, some
chocolate wine for the mommies and daddies and good ol' water.

I added "milk mustaches" to the straws that coordinated with whatever flavor milk you were drinking.

The chocolate/vanilla swirl marshmallows looking lovely under a glass dome.

I got these for M.  I think they are beyond nasty, but he loves them so here they are.

I used the paint stick crates {made for this party} to add some different heights to the table.

Cute lil' minis.

The GORGEOUS cake my mom made.  Her talent disgusts me.

A giant, we're talking 24X36, photo I had printed of the birthday girl.  I mounted it to a sheet of styrofoam insulation and finished off the edges with some brown satin ribbon.  Keep scrolling down for better pics of it.

Yes, you read that right.  Bacon, toffee and chocolate.  It was actually REALLY good.
The white apothecary jar on the right was made with an old pickle jar, a Dollar Tree
candlestick and a wooden finial!

I just love the cake.  Found the 'B' at Michael's.  Glued some wooden skewers
to the back and BAM! instant cake topper.

I designed these subway style prints and mounted them to foam board.
They looked great over the drink station.

Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl.  Love you.

She had a great time and, are you ready for this, is already talking about her next birthday!  She's telling anyone and everyone that she's having a red birthday cake.  Hmmmm......better get to planning, only have 360 days till she turns 4! :)

Have a great rest of the week and thanks for reading!