Sunday, April 22, 2012

April 22, 2012: Ali's Birthday Party...

Heaveno!

Well, today was the big day.  We threw Ali's 6th birthday party at nearby Irvine Park, and this time sprung for one of their pavilions.  They're not cheap, but man, was it nice.  What a great place Irvine Park is.  So much to do... railroad, zoo, horse and pony rides, paddleboats, bikes, duck feeding, peacock watching, and a little birthday partying to boot!  4 years ago we rolled the dice and threw the party closer to Ali's actual birthday, April 11, which inevitably means it's like the last weekend before Easter, and the place is CRAMMED.  Also, it happened to be 102 degrees that day.  Not today.  It was perfect.  71ish with a light breeze.

We had 20 kids (babies included) with roughly the same number of adults on hand for the fun.  It was great; there was a crew from church, from school, family, and a few friends and their kids to top it off.  Hats off to grandma for helping to set up and clean up, and to grandpa for the cake to end all cakes.  Thanks to Sara for the photos, but the real hats off has to go to Angelique.  She has been working on this party for weeks, and it showed.  Let me tell you how awesome the mermaid theme was...

The Ocean Jello with JuJu fish swimming inside...



The pb&j sushi was cool, but the California Roll sushi made up of bread, cream cheese, carrots, and turkey were off the chart creative!



Here is the cake to end all cakes.  Ali custom ordered it from grandpa.  He's been taking cake making courses, and it shows!







Streamers and nets with Ali's colored-in-fish in the net...



Mer-Races... like a potato sack race, but tape the trash bags once around the waist, and then around the ankles to make a tail... girls heat, and boys heat...





mermaid pinata....



Daddy played the ukulele as we all sang happy birthday...



There were decorate-your-own cupcakes, and decorate-your-own mermaid and merman crowns...



A good time was had by all.



Yesterday, we took all the crust from the sandwiches, chopped it into crumbs, and today, fed them to the ducks for the rest of the afternoon.  (This is not a duck.  This is a Julian.  Figured a cute mug shot of him would be a nice ending point)



Life is good.

God night.

13 comments:

  1. Happy birthday to Ali!! Wow! What a party! I was proud of my The Hunger Games cake that I baked last week but this cake is amazing! Congratulations to grandpa!
    Time flies and we had my daughter's 18th birthday party last month ... that was a different party!
    Love,
    Mariana,UK

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  2. Life is good!
    I am glad she had such a wonderful birthday party and that you all had such fun.
    Love the pics!!
    Have a great week!

    Kelley from MO

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  3. It looks like you all had a wonderful time:) Your children are beautiful! The party looked amazing and what great idea's!

    Jenn

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  4. Happy birthday to the effervescent Miss Ali! What cute party ideas. So glad you all had a great time!

    Susan
    A friend in NC

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  5. Awww, adorable pictures! I love how Bella and Julian look so much alike.

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  6. Fun party!
    (still laughing over the photo bombing by my daughter!!!)

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  7. Sure looks like a good time was had by all. Love the mer-races and the cake! :)

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  8. It looks like it was a smashing party! And Julian is getting so BIG!

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  9. I'm sorry we couldn't make the party (we were out of state) but it looks like she had a great time! What a fun birthday! Happy birthday, Ali!!

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  10. WoW!!! what an amazing party! Ali is one lucky little girl to have such wonderful parents and grandparents! the party must have been a huge success. so happy you had a good time, thinking and praying for you and your family Tim. thanks for updating!
    Christiana (cyprus)

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  11. Looked like a great party! Terrific decorations and the cake was awesome. Happy Birthday Ali!

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  12. Happy birthday, precious Ali! She's just a beautiful child, and it looks like a terrific time was had by all. And that Julian - don't even get me started on the cuteness!

    Glad you're all doing well!

    Love from TX,
    Laura (for Team A)

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  13. WOW - Awesome party and HAPPY BIRTHDAY Miss Ali! and 2 sweet babies to end your post!

    Hugs to all - Tina in NJ

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