We had Annie’s birthday party on Saturday. For the last two weeks I have been fretting about the weather, but on the day of the party the weather was absolutely beautiful. And it was a good thing, because I gave those kids so much sugar that they needed the entire backyard to burn it off.
The theme for the party was Annabel’s 3 Ring Circus! I admit to influencing her party theme, mostly because I wanted something boys and girls could both enjoy, and also because way back in June, when I was planning my 33rd birthday party, I bought stuff for it knowing I would reuse it for Annie’s birthday. We have lots of time for princess parties, but now, while she has friends of both sexes that range in age from 0-8, a gender-neutral theme seemed like the best idea for her. I was happy with how it turned out, but most importantly, so was Annabel.
Like last year with her Yo Gabba Gabba party, I figured out my list of what I needed for her party far in advance – right before Christmas. I know, that’s an entire month in advance, but it saved me SO MUCH money. Since it was a circus theme, the colors of the party were red and white…you know, the two big colors of Christmas. I bought tons of decorations at 75% off, it was bananas. From now on every party I throw will have the color scheme of the most recent holiday. I did the vast majority of my shopping at Michael’s (coupons), Joann (COUPONS), Oriental Trading (bulk!), and Dollar Tree (I love this store). Our local Dollar Tree is amazing. I could live in it. Anything I couldn’t find at one of those four shops, I found on Amazon (free shipping via Prime). Oh, and I found stuff on Craig’s List, too. It almost became a game to see how cheap I could get something. I was maybe a little obsessed.
I also ended up making a LOT of things myself. My friends probably got really sick of me IMing them links to things with the comment, “I could make this for fifty cents and this person on Etsy is asking for ten dollars!” Okay I was a LOT obsessed with being under budget. Also I’m a sick pregnant chick who is forced into “taking it easy” most days, so I definitely had a lot of time on my hands to make things. I have a feeling that is not going to be the case for future parties.
Enough blabbing! Pictures:
When our guests arrived they were greeted by a welcome banner on the front of the house, and an Annie/Circus themed front table:
My mom found the antique circus drum at a flea market, it is adorable.
I strung together a big birthday sign and hung it above the fireplace in our family room:
In our play room we had an awesome face painter that I’d found at the local church carnival. By the end of the party, almost every kid (and several adults) had been painted on.
The backyard was totally decked out by my cousin Leah and her fiancé Ted. I gave them all the stuff and told them “decorate!” and they did an awesome job.
On the side of the house we set up a “midway” with five games for the kids to play. They got tickets for playing, and more tickets for winning.
They could trade their tickets in for prizes:
The prize booth is where Dollar Tree and Oriental Trading came in *really* handy.
For food we put out hot dogs (Hebrew National, my favorite), turkey dogs, and corn dogs, and then a big table of SUGAR.
And of course, we had a Ringmaster…
…a clown…
…and a tightrope walker.
My family helped out SO MUCH. I could not have done it without them. I paid them back by making them wear shirts I made, and clown noses.
Not pictured: my friend Aza, who had the good sense to leave before I made her pose for this picture.
Mike was in charge of the cake, and did an awesome job:
I love grocery store cakes that are delicious and cost like $0.40/person.
Annie LOVED the cake.
Especially blowing out the candles, which she did before we were done singing.
It was pretty fun to put paint on a bunch of kids, load them with sugar, and give them a ton of toys. All the uneaten candy and unclaimed prizes were quickly stuffed into goody bags for the kids to take home. I made sure it allllllll left my house, maniacal laugh.
Annie has not been able to stop talking about her circus. She has been looking forward to her birthday party since the moment her last birthday party ended. She was in her element, surrounded by friends and family and birthday decorations. I truly enjoy putting together parties, but of course I do it all for her. Her happy face and frequent laugh were all the thanks I needed, but it didn’t hurt when hours after the party, she put her head on my shoulder and said, “I loved my party, Mama. I love you.”
Abigail says:
What a fun part theme, you did an amazing job. Looks like everyone had a fantastic time. Happy birthday Annie!
AudNoL says:
What an awesome party! And, your concept of colors related to the most recent holidays is brillant. Happy Birthday, indeed!
Mish says:
Awesome party! Annabel is a lucky girl to have such a great family.
DefendUSA says:
That was pretty cool!! You guys are the best…Annie will have a lot of great memories!
Sue says:
This is fantastic. The talent that you guys have just never seems to end!!!! WOW,,,WOW,,,,WOW!!!!!!!!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE!
Susan says:
OMG – what a great party theme! Looks like you outdid yourself on this one!
heather says:
The party looks awesome! I’m very jealous of the gorgeous weather. Living in Ontario, Canada and having kids with May and end of November birthdays the weather is so unpredictable that outdoor birthdays are darn near impossible.
We took advantage of the post christmas sales for our Winter Blues party this weekend, lots of blue lights, blue wintery treats and decorations. Have to love the 75% sales!
Expat Mom says:
That is awesome! I don’t throw parties for my kids, which will probably haunt them as adults, but I can’t handle the people or the planning. You’re amazing! Especially doing all this while pregnant and puking!
Jen says:
And then I decided to start planning Chase’s birthday party…Stop trying to show me up Spohr!
(Where is Kyle in his circus shirt?)
Tell Annabel welcome to the psycho threes from Chase and I :0)
bampa says:
Unfortunately we couldn’t get the Sundance Film Festival to change their dates and Kyle had to work.
TamaraL says:
Awwww! So sweet! That party looks amazing, good job, Heather and gang! Happy Birthday, Annabel!!!
Ashley says:
That looks Ahhhhh-mazzzing!
You all did a great job. Happy 3rd B-day Annie!!
Sarah says:
What an awesome, fun party. Happy Birthday Annie!
Barbi Emel says:
You’re the coolest
daisybv2 says:
That is Awesome you guys sure do know how to throw a party.
Trisha says:
Awesome job planning Heather! Glad Annie loved her party so much.
Brandy says:
It looks like you all had a wonderful time! Happy early birthday Annabel!
Molly says:
This party looks AMAZING!
Glenda says:
Amazing!!!
Nellie says:
You never, ever cease to amaze me! What a fabulous party and theme!
Happy 3rd Birthday to one very Spectacular, Gorgeous little Girl!!!!!
Lisa says:
This is SOO cute!! You all did a great job. And those are some good ideas on saving $ as these bday parties are crazy expensive. And nice to see Maddy there too. Annie looks sooo thrilled.
AmyMD says:
You guys are seriously the coolest parents I have ever heard of.
Nanette says:
Such a great party! We were honored to be there to eat all the goodies, I mean, celebrate with Annie!
Linda says:
Amazing! Annie is a lucky little girl.
Shannon says:
What an adorable and unique idea! I love it!
Mindy says:
i love this! and i love how you go all out for her birthday. my son is four & we go all out every year…so fun!
Kristin says:
What a great party! I’m jealous of your ability to have outdoor winter parties. Here in Maine indoors is a must, less you freeze!
kakali says:
Happy Birthday to Annie! Heather, your family is so lucky to have you.
You are so smart and creative!
Annalisa says:
Much as I loved the picture, I think my favorite part of the post was Annie saying she loved you (I’m a sucker for those three little words mumbled by pint sized creatures).
Jeanie says:
What a great party! “Hello Annie” was adorable.
Greis says:
My new goal in life is to make out to California for a SPOHR PARTY!!! It will happen one day!!! Looks like so much fun was had. So glad Annie had so much fun!!
Rebecca says:
This makes me want to plan a family vacation to Southern California in January and then of course post five million ‘hey I am a crazy blog commenter I’m in Cali! can we meet’ so I can hopefully attend your awesome birthday party.
You guys are amazing and happy birthday Annie!
Mari says:
You did a GREAT job! It’s great you have a family that helps out. My house was flooded by sandy months ago and only 1 relative is helping us. Youre very lucky. Annie is the cutest. I hope she has a great birthday today (today in NY time).
Jenn says:
You guys did a GREAT Job!!! I LOVE your t-shirts!! Looks like Annie had a great time as did everyone else!!
Stefanie says:
We loved the party, we love your family. So much fun and you looked gorgeous (and so did Annie). Happy birthday Annie! But I will say that my kids were completely sugar drunk when we left. I blame you.
Auntie_M says:
Everything looks wonderful…but Annie’s thank you and I love you: the bestest!
Meg says:
(I’m poking around the site again, what with the new design, hence more comments.) I’m just now noticing that Rigby doesn’t have a shirt. Did she eat it?