Bleu's 6th Birthday

Bleu likes to keep her affairs simple and small. She doesn't care for a lot of attention, and she appreciates knowing what to expect. This year she thought a bunny-themed tea party would be SO FUN for her birthday. I asked, "Oh... You mean like Peter Rabbit?" She keeps the Beatrix Potter stories on her nightstand. She answered, "Or... Lily Bobtail, the GIRL bunny."

Right. Lily it is. She's not in the original book, so I quick did some research and found out that Lily's colors are light and bright pink. She is brave, clever, loves berries and radishes. Her best friends are Peter and Benjamin. Seeing as how Bleu's birthday falls around Easter, the bunny tie-in would be easy. Bleu asked that the party be at home -- in the backyard -- and include ONLY Ella, Syd, Ava, and Gianna (from ballet). She also expressed interest in a carrot cake and an egg hunt. 

I emailed the other moms a casual invite and went shopping while Bleu was at school. I found the sweetest linen place mats and napkins at Christmas Tree Shops (cheap and adorable!), along with favor baskets, and the extra large rose-motif muffin papers you see below. I spied the rose place card holders, diy tissue balls, and bunny hop sacks in different sections at Party City. Michael's had the softest bunny ears, polka dot straws, grosgrain ribbon, and glittery letter stickers. Target was the destination for a light pink #6 candle, two Spritz banners and balloons in both hues. I already had tons of clear plates and glasses, jeweled napkin rings and serving platters galore. DONE!


For the tea party I served an all natural no-caffeine raspberry iced tea with fresh blackberries on the bottom, bunny-shaped tea sandwiches made to order (pb+j, coconut-almond butter, egg salad, and tuna), a baby greens salad with cranberries and nuts, carrot and celery sticks with a yogurt ranch dressing, an organic alternative to raspberry-cream jello, a fruit/veggie platter, carrot muffins, and a banana walnut cake with cream cheese frosting. I must say this was a fun little shindig to host on Bleu's actual birthday. She had an amazing afternoon with a few girlfriends.

My friend Allison suggested this carrot cake recipe, and it rocks the house!  

Her friends sang to her, and she didn't even sink under the table!  

Bleu handled seating arrangements.

From Syd: Long story behind these two elephants named Ellie :)  

Part of Bleu's six-year journey.

Sweetest bunny chocolates I've ever seen.

Balloons are my assault on the environment. Cannot give up b-day balloons.

Was going to make a N-O-L-A banner for the middle, but ya know...

Thrilled that Gianna could join us -- she had to leave early for her baseball game.

 

The organic popcorn we buy has no butter or salt, and yet the kids LOVE it.  

Reading/art corner with Lily-themed coloring pages and word finds.

First the girls raced and THEN the mamas. Haha.

Love my year-round twinkle lights.

The egg hunt was a group effort.

 

Little Leo enjoyed it, too.

Attempting to cheat at Pin the Tail on Peter Rabbit.

  

And the winner is...

Bleu's fave: Gala. 

 

Happy happy.

'Sweet Cream' hydrangeas.

 

Love this sweet girl.

Pink diamonds, organic cheddar/graham bunnies, and about-to-sprout radish.

 

My friend Rachel introduced me to this amazing banana cake recipe.

Bleu's memo board of cards.

From Gianna: A diy jewelery box that Bleu tackled ASAP.

I hung these in the playroom after the party.

From Ella: A treasure box that Bleu will treasure always.

'Cherry Belle' radish plants to go.