happy birthday olive! 11.27.13

my baby girl turned T H R E E!!!!!!! oh my goodness. she’s graced this earth for three years and life has never been better. i can’t explain in words what it’s like being her mama but i will try. she brings me sooooo much joy, love, life, and happiness. the moment she entered into this world, she has challenged me mentally, physically, and emotionally…ALL for the better. my life made complete sense once i had her. don’t get me wrong, my hubby charming is THE best guy out there. he completes me. i LOVE him and can’t imagine life without him…like seriously, he can never leave my side but olive elevated everything. she took my life to a next level i never knew existed. it blows my mind i gave birth to a part of me…an extension of me that is so much better! {because she’s a mix of me and the hubby, so what could be better than that?!}. ok, ok…enough. i feel like i can drone on and on so i won’t and will stop. but man, being a mama is pretty damn awesome.

anyhoo, her birthday party planning started out as a simple thought. i really did have the intent to buy a birthday cake and some balloons. then i thought, why not make it a swan party? oh yeahhhhhhhhh. then it snowballed out of control. because it’s me. and i tend to go overboard, get all type a, and then my creative mind gets.out.of.control. the ideas don’t stop. i think of one thing, to the next, then the next idea, and the ideas don’t stop rolling in! {for example: our wedding was a diy monsoon ideas}

well, as you will see in the pictures – my simple cake idea and balloons festered into a pretty darn cute swan party!

i crafted a lot of what you see and shopped big and small for the rest of the details. two hours before the party, i was literally icing sugar cookies for the party {something i usually would never do. i, typically, am too stressed to do such a thing, because i am always running around tying all the details together}, so scroll down to the pic and read my story behind why i was doing such a thing before the guests arrived!

the party time rolled around and the guests started to roll in. of course, in doan fashion, my family was late and hc’s family was early or on time. soon everyone trickled in and the fun started to happen! we had music blasting and libations flowing. olive immediately warmed up to everyone {she was excited it was her birthday!} and had a lot fun playing with her friends and cousins.

we served food an hour into the party and dessert shortly thereafter, although there was no rush and everything was timed just right. we socialized, mingled, drank, and celebrated miss olive. it’s always so joyous to have friends and family over, under one roof, honoring a festive occasion.

the party lasted all afternoon and early evening. we enjoyed every second of it. olive did so well…no nap and no meltdown but it’s her party and she can cry if she wants to, cry if she wants to…haha!

oh, we had such a great time and i know olive did too. she loved all the presents and cake and balloons and pretty much everything! all in all, it was a total success, if i do say so myself. everything turned out great! so, maybe next year i will stick to my thought of keeping it simple, just getting a cake and balloons for her fourth birthday…or maybe not. eep!

[dyyyyyyying over her outfit]

[trying to check out her shoes]

[she’s the sweetest!]

[my birthday girl]

[pretty gold glitter dipped feather garland]

[mini party hats]

[enjoying her place setting decor]

[the biggest balloon everrrrrrrrr]

[diy swan straws]

[handmade swan from turkey]

[chair wing decor]

[laser cut swan place cards, tucked with a feather, and topped with a handmade spray painted gold glitter crown]

[long story: i had ordered swan cookies through a shop and she cancelled last minute, well she didn’t even contact me! i contacted her and was told that due to an emergency, my order was cancelled…i found out the day before her party! i was so bummed but i really didn’t have time to make cookies myself. well, i am super crazy and decided to do it anyways {two hours before the party!}! i bought ready made dough and shaped it out, baked them, and frosted them holding a crying baby. yes…i frosted these with one shaky arm and a baby in the other arm. ellie didn’t want to be lying down…what a time for her to be fussy! so, tada! my impromptu swan sugar cookies!]

[just another view of the decor]

[the swan dessert table]

[family…lan, my sister thuy, kim, and our mom]

[simple cake…my kind of style]

[cake topper by hooray everyday]

[a little overexposed but i still will take it! mom and my brother dan]

[i used white ceramic swans and filled them with succulents]

[i had a lot of fun making this balloon garland!]

[papa the king]

[me and my mama]

[swan table centerpieces]

[having a blast with her cousins and friends]

[our nephew daniel and his girl rachel]

[the best and the coolest nephews!]

[as smiley as she gets…hahaha!]

[eyeing her cake]

[questioning everything]

[always sooooooooo shy]

[we got a tiny smile out of her!]

[my heart melted into a puddle]

[uncle dan, olive, ellie, and cousin reagan]

[yummy dessert is served!]

[this babe slept for most of the party!]

[i looooooooooooove her]

[auntie missy and ellie]

[me and my babe]

[i love these kiddos]

[so typical olive]

xoxo