Country Hoedown Birthday Party

All year we plan Ava Rose's Birthday Party. It has become a tradition to have a big party to celebrate Ava's birthday and also to get together with our family and friends for some summer fun. It has become a tradition between Ava and I to start picking a theme early in the year and then start to gather ideas. We turn to Pinterest, magazines and just have fun coming up with our own ideas. 

This year we went with the country hoedown theme.We lined the tents with rustic style country burlap banners. We picked up hay bales for decor and additional seating if needed. We used picnic baskets to store plates and plastic wear, we used painters drop cloths and burlap runners for our table linens. We made the center pieces for each table out of mason jars, wrapped in burlap, tied with a gingham fabric bow and we placed a sunflower in each.

Our good friend and graphic artist Melanie created this fun menu. This year we decided on a mostly vegetarian menu and hired a wonderful chef to cater it for us. 

These fun large mason jar drink dispensers were used for ice tea and lemonade.

   

 The chef provided pretty baskets for her delicious corn muffins and a fun kettle for vegetarian chili.

 

An assortment of sandwiches were wrapped in paper and twine. Each one was so delicious!

We set up a tent full of fun for the kids. One of the highlights of the day and a table that attracted a crowd was our Free General Store. Paper bags were supplied so the kids can fill their bags 

with fun toys and treats.

Gear up partners. We filled this table full of country gear for our guests to join in on the hoedown fun.

Welcome Yall! Ava and I found this amazing DIY welcome sign on pinterest.

We found this palette and stapled twine to the palette with a staple gun and put the sign at the party entrance.

We had lots of fun activities throughout the day. Potato Sack Races, a Dance Party, Pinata, and a Pie Eating Contest! Fun prizes all day long. But the highlight of the day was the arrival of Ava Rose's favorite ponies Sweetie Pie and Cocoa Puff. They come every year and this year Ava saved up all by herself to pay for them so all of her friends can enjoy pony rides.

 

And the birthday girl made her wish. Something tells me it is about planning her next big birthday party! I need some time to rest first!

We had a wonderful time with family and friends and enjoyed every moment from planning the day to setting up to spending a fun day with great people. These are the moments in life we cherish so much. Happy 6th Birthday Ava Rose. May all your wishes come true.

My Baby Girl is Turning 6 and Party Plans are Underway!

I cannot believe it! Ava Rose is turning 6 on August 4th. Time really goes by way too fast. I try to enjoy ever single day with her and still it went so quickly. I savored the baby years and toddler years. Cried for the first day of pre-k and kindergarten now I have a first grader!

Ava Rose's first photo shoot. Courtesy of Christina Bohn Photography

Ava Rose is a true miracle. I truly had faith that she would come into my life and always believed, trusted and was very patient. So the day she was born is a true celebration for me. I celebrate that Ava Rose is a gift from heaven and that she is an amazing little girl. Truly taking after me she loves party planning and decorating and parties are a big deal at our house. Ava Rose starts to plan her birthday in the winter. She carefully thinks about a theme all winter long. I always tell her don't rush it! But she loves it so we plan and plan. This year she decide on a Country Western Hoedown. The planning, shopping and decorating is well underway for at least a month now. We enjoy every minute of it. Creating a guest list, writing out invitations, and of course researching on pinterest and coming up with a full plan. Then shopping!! We create everything from the table arrangements to full props.

Ava Rose's first birthday

 

Ava Rose is involved in all aspects of the party planning. Even selecting the menu. This year we decided on a Country American picnic mostly vegetarian menu. We found a great chef that worked with us to select some fun comfort foods - southern mac and cheese, corn muffins, chili, corn on the cob, old fashioned potato salads and picnic salads and sandwiches. We will have old fashioned lemonade, ice tea and of course a sundae bar!

Of course no party of Ava's would not be complete without a horse so her favorite horse will come and wish Ava a happy birthday and provide fun for the kids. We have lots of games planned like potato sack races, horse shoe throw and digging for gold. As well as a photo booth and old fashioned village.

We believe in paying it forward and giving back so each year before the party we go through all of Ava's toys and clothing and donate them to local charities. I also taught Ava Rose that it is important to save for what she would like and she saves her coins all year round to pay for her favorite horse to come to the party.

Ava Rose turns 5. 2013 

Ava Rose's party is this Saturday so we have a busy week ahead as we start to decorate but we will have photos soon to share with you.

Feeling so blessed!