Ellie's "Fishy Party"

Ellie picked the theme of her first-ever birthday party back in January.  She had just gotten her eye patch and I tried to get her excited about it by telling her that she looked just like a pirate and suggesting that we have a pirate party for her third birthday (I had previously been thinking of a puppy dog party since she likes them so much).  She immediately said, "No, I want a fishy party" and has stuck to it ever since.  Even when we'd reference her "third birthday party" or just say "birthday party" she'd get upset and say, "No!  Fishy party!"

The party itself went well.  Fabulous weather.  Great turnout (we invited 15 and 8 came which was plenty).  

THE DECOR:

Liz helped Drew and I blow up the balloons.  She also melted crayon shavings between two pieces of wax paper to make the orange fish.  Ellie painted the jelly fish tops.

THE ACTIVITIES:

We started the kids off in a borrowed bounce house.  We did the same thing for Lainey's third birthday, only this time we wised up and had a blow up air mattress at the bottom so the kids wouldn't roll out onto bare pavement at the bottom of the slide.  

The kids also played hide and seek, thanks to Lizzie for leading them (below Ellie is taking her turn counting), and drew with sidewalk chalk.

 Inside, the kids went fishing in hula hoops with magnetic fishing poles (also initially led by Liz).  Each fish had an activity written on it for the kids to do (a last minute suggestion from Nana) such as clap hands, wiggle hips, and jump. 

 While the kids waited for their lunch they put scales on the fish.

After eating we let the kids return to our outside activities or play in the basement with balloons and toys.

THE FOOD:
We gave the kids PB 'n J's, blue jello filled with swedish fish, goldfish, and apple slices, but the kids pretty much just ate the goldfish.

 

 We served mini cupcakes instead of full-sized ones because at this age the kids usually just eat the frosted tops.  Of course we felt that with a mini cupcake there wasn't really room for three candles.  Elle didn't seem to mind.  She was mostly excited about having everyone sing to her.

PARTY FAVOR:

Ellie picked a random stretchy ball, creature thing as her party favor because she was convienced that it was a fish.

THE GIFTS:

We didn't have Elle open her gifts until after the other kids left because we figured it would be boring for them (plus we weren't sure she'd actually open the gifts since she refused to at Christmas).  Well, she opened them, but it took awhile because she had to stop to examine and play with every gift.