Lady Bug Party

Jenni (birthday girl) and her brother Joshua

Not only did my sister host the baby shower tea party for me on Saturday, but later the same day she hosted her daughter's 4th birthday party!
... that is a mom that can balance a lot!

Mexican Lasagna (yummy!)

She sewed coordinating napkins too :)

the precious birthday girl in her lady bug dress :)

More Ideas
Since I posted extra Minnie Mouse ideas after Jenni's last birthday party post I wanted to add more lady bug party ideas in the blog-o-sphere for those planning a party to be as adorable as this one!
invitation
printables
tablescape
themed food
awesome themed food
cute party
party favors

Back to School Cookies

Back to School Series: Day 2

Remember my apple cookies from yesterday?
Well, I love decorating sugar cookies and as a teacher I love all things school-themed. Below are some pictures I found on the web of cool ideas for school-themed cookies. They would make a fun gift for a teacher or treats to send with your student to school!!!

I found these cookies posed by pantinggrams on a wilton site

These were posted by Bundles of Cookies on facebook

I love these rulers, but can not remember where I found this picture...

Bake at 350's blog has these awesome cookies and tutorials here

Also from Bake at 350

She decorated cookies with a white base and yellow border then gave her son edible markers to draw messages onto the cookies. What a great gift for preschool and elementary teachers!

I hope you are inspired! Happy baking and cookie decorating!

If you have cool cookie or back to school ideas, share them with us!

Apple Party

Back to School Series: Day 1

The Fall is in full swing and it's party season! Or, more like hospitality season. If I were to pick the time of year that most reminds me of time with friends, it would be the Fall. In the Fall, there are football games, game watching parties, camping trips, harvest parties, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and then comes CHRISTMAS!!!

Also in the Fall, students start back to school. As a teacher, I also enjoy school-themed parties. And boy, there a multitude of of party ideas centered around a school-themed inspiration. There are apples, stacks of books, chalkboards, school desks, school supplies, new markers and lunch boxes, anything plaid... Oh, there are so many things to make a school party special!

This week is dedicated to school-themed ideas. I have used them for teacher parties, some are from little surprises I have given my students. Also these ideas could be used if you are on a PTA committee and holding a luncheon for teachers... or maybe for a back to school themed dinner to host for your family. Whatever it may become for you, here are some fun ideas!

Apple Party for Teachers

I decorated with red and for this dessert party, and
everything on the menu was apple-themed

Menu
Apple Fruit Salad
Red Velvet Cake Truffles
Apple shaped Sugar Cookies
Caramel Apples
Apple Cider


Apple Fruit Salad

Red Velvet Cake Truffles

Apple Cookies
I started by personalizing them with a party go-ers first initial
I LOVE making these cookies. They are cute and simple!

Caramel Apple Favors
tutorial/recipe coming soon

Table Decor

Jenni Mouse

My sister and her husband recently had a Minnie Mouse party for their little girl. Stephanie shared with me all of the fun things she did to make the party special!

the invitation

Stephanie made these invitations based on a tutorial she saw here
the birthday girl's apparel
Stephanie made the shirt. She cut the outline of Minne's face from black fabric,
ironed it onto a white t-shirt and then added a pink polka-dot bow!
My mom made the skirt using cotton fabrics, thick rick rack and an elastic waist band.

the table
Stephanie made all of the paper products for the party.
-banner, invitations, water bottle wraps, cupcake toppers, napkin rings, & place cards-
She used computer graphics, colorful card stock and thin pink ribbon for an accent.

homemade sugar cookies
tutorial

Are you looking for more Minnie Mouse party ideas? If so, check out:

Second Street
bonus: site includes tutorials for each of the handmade items
Minnie cake, party hats and birthday outfit, and favor bags




Heavenly Blooms
flowers, hats and picture frames
I LOVE this flower arrangement.
I love flowers in general, but I think this is A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E!!!
the site gives instructions on how to put together this centerpiece




The Party Animal
ideas for cookies, favors and invitations


Catch My Party
ideas for chocolate candy pops, pom centerpiece and a banner

Bakerella
Minnie Mouse Cake Pops
just lovely

Other Fun Ideas

Last week at the grocery store I saw some cheddar cheese that was packaged in snack sized Minnie/Mickey mouse face cut-outs. It would also be easy enough for you to do that using a small cookie cutter. It would also be cute to cut fruit (watermelon, cantaloupe, apple slices...) into the Minnie Mouse face shape.

I have also seen sandwiches that are cut into fun shapes. If you used a large Minnie Mouse cookie cutter you could cut into sandwich bread to shape like a Minnie Mouse face.

Happy Planning!