A Simple Party for our Madeleine Bean

I can't believe that I have been doing this for five years already: throwing a themed party annually for our little love. And this year's challenge for me is doing it while pregnant! This pregnancy is really taking a lot out of me. I feel exhausted all the time, literally. I have been pinning a lot of party inspirations over on Pinterest but ended up procrastinating anyway. Also, we only invited a few people because I really find it difficult to be hosting this time around.

I tried too keep it as simple as possible with a menu that was easy to prepare. Thank God for my mom and yaya Baby who helped me so much with the preparations and with cooking some of the food.

This year Bean requested for a Shopkins/ My Little Pony birthday party, and I have scoured the internet for all the free printable I could find. Good thing there were a lot! And I made a lot of paper decorations based on the color scheme of MLP and Shopkins.

Another thing that was a challenge for me was baking a cake. I do bake cupcakes every time Bean celebrates her birthday and order a custom cake based on the theme...but upon inquiry the price increase was just not within our budget. So I told Adam that I'll be the one baking the cake. I have never baked a cake before and was hesitant because I didn't want to disappoint our daughter (who kept on looking through the internet for her "perfect cake.") I was so relived to find out that people actually liked the cake! And our daughter absolutely loved it, which was more important to me.

All we wanted was for her to enjoy her day and to spend it with our family and friends. I am sharing a few photos of the party which I hope would help others realize that you can still have a blast and a great party even when you're on a  budget!

My first cake ever: funfetti cake with strawberry cream cheese frosting.

Shopkins-inspired loot bags.

Paper stars....

Surprisingly, the marshmallows and popcorn were a hit with the adults!

I can't believe she's 5 and such a lady.

When your cousin is your best friend!

....annual cupcakes.....

Miss Taylor Lane

with tita Summer.

...feeling like a whale but I wanted a picture with her.

....my everything....

with lola

a selfie with mamamita....

three generations....

...not really praising myself, but this cake was YUM!

Happy 4th Birthday Madeleine Bean

And here we are, at four years old. I couldn't believe how time flew by so fast. I still remember vividly the day I first saw our little girl and how she amazed me! Up to this day she continues to amaze us, and I know that this will go on for years to come.

A few months ago I asked Bean what party theme she would like this year and she has stuck with the "Octonauts" for so long that, indeed, we chose it. It's not a popular show here in the country, I just happened to have found it in YouTube when the little miss wanted to watch something about the sea. It is a great show, though. It has valuable life lessons for the kids and the environment.

Anyway, Bean discovered my Pinterest board and happily pinned away with me! She was so helpful up to the last detail. And even when we were setting up her party, she was so eager to help. Actually, I failed to execute most of my plans regarding this year's celebration. I just got so burned out from juggling too many things at once. Well, I have my weaknesses and issues, too! But I will save that for another post. Even the task of printing out free printable party stuff wasn't in the picture.

We have been busy adjusting our schedule to Bean's since it is her first year of school. I have been squeezing in a little bit of party preparations during my free time. And I am glad it was a success! Here are some photos we took last Sunday, Bean's 4th. Enjoy!

 I bake cupcakes yearly for her birthday. I almost didn't! But I couldn't resist since it's her favorite.
I was supposed to provide printable Octonaut characters, but oh well...jellyfish with googly eyes

were a hit with the kids.

       Now this here was a wonderful accident. My mom thought of covering the clutter

with an old shower curtain and I thought why not put some

paper tassels on it to make a photo wall? Pretty, right?

The only printable I was able to print were stickers for the loot bags.

Birthday girl.

The weather wasn't really nice that day, and we have been praying for the rain to stop. Luck has always been on our side since Bean's first birthday. The rain would magically stop an hour before the celebrations...and that luck hasn't run out....yet, thankfully!

We opted to invite fewer people this year because of the menial task of following up with the guest list. Family was the priority and then the regular guests. And I am happy with our decision. I have come to face the truth that letting go of people who do not serve you well anymore is what's best in life. Less stress, honestly.

We opted to set up in the garage this year for a change.

Birthday girl helping in the preparations.

"This is the best birthday ever! Thanks, mom!

Thanks, Dad!"

36" pizza.

Love.

We are so grateful for those who still came in spite of the bad weather.

We appreciate it so much!

It was Adam's great idea to include watercolor in the loot bags!

Not only did it give the kids something to do, but it gave them a chance 

to get creative! :)

Today, Bean had a mini-celebration in school, too. I like that their school asks parents to prepare birthday celebrations for the kids in order to make them feel special on their day. Another thing I like is how they promote healthy eating and practices, too! So fast food is a big N-O! I woke up extra early to prepare ham and cheese egg rolls for the kids with a mini-yogurt drink. I also prepared take home cupcakes for them (made by me, yearly on Bean's birthday...a tradition I wish to stick to). I had a fun but tiring time packing them individually and decorating the boxes with sea creatures. I also personalized the cupcakes by labeling them with the names of the kids. :) We also invited Winter, Bean's cousin to join in. :)

It was nice seeing what Bean does inside the classroom.

Here they are acting out a song.

Winter happily dancing. :)

I also prepared one for Bean.

Not boasting or anything, but she says the cupcakes I bake are the best ever.

Adam and I are very tired after all these; but our hearts are so full. We are forever blessed to have our sweet girl who is pure magic.  We love you so much, Madeleine Bean! Thank you for this great adventure!