The end of the "birthday week"

Geez already, have we had enough of Maya's birthday yet? Well, today was the icing on the "birthday week" cake. Quite literally. She's been wanting a Mermaid party for months now, and today it finally came to pass. I went back and forth about posting these pictures, since I know many people read my blog (*snort* OK, like a dozen) and not everyone was invited to the mermaid party. Bottom line? Maya chose the guest list all by herself. It was hard for me to exclude some people that I'm good friends with, but afterall, this was her party and not mine.  I promise, if I ever have my own mermaid birthday party, you will ALL be invited.

The cake.

This picture doesn't really do it justice, I had edible glitter on the water, the "sand" was brown sugar, and the layers were held together with chocolate ganache.

The food.

I made "Mermaid Pasta with seaweed" Translation: pasta with basil and chicken in a garlic cream sauce, topped with parmesan cheese. We also had "ocean jello" and other kid foods, pretzels, grapes and carrots with dip, and of course cake!

The craft.

I found some cute wooden "treasure boxes" and the kids painted them with metallic paint and glued jewels on them. It was a hit.

The decorations.

Tadd blew up 50 blue and white balloons that were scattered on the ground, and spend a good chunk of the morning expertly hanging streamers from one end of the room to the other.

Look at that face, the hours of prep time and dollars spent were well worth it!

Harrison insisted on lighting the candle.

Who wants some cake?

We played some fun relay games.

First. Barbie. Ever. She's thrilled (I'm not)

Enjoying some post party blue "ocean" jello

The gown was a favorite party gift.

The end of birthday week for Maya. No really.