The Big (but really she's still little) Mermaid Party Post

My baby turned seven last weekend (sigh) but the happy party made up for the fact that she blew out a candle with a seven on it. (Music of course)



She looked so pretty and loved her mermaid dress...





We ran out of time so I didn't get to take some photos before the event began as I usually do... as the cars pulled up and the sweet first graders ran up the driveway I just took a deep breath and got as many as I could while the party was going on. (man, it's tough to be the photographer, coordinator, and hostess to all those little girls... all at the same time)



It was such a pretty day. Lots of sunshine and 70 out... that's weather perfection to me!



The rain from the night before put a damper on our "under the sea" set up idea and we had to rearrange our sea to the patio, mulch area, and front yard. It was a little tight but we did fine.





After the girls arrived they made adorable jelly fish as their craft!







And then they hung under the sea!







I was so grateful for my parents and Anna... Scott and I couldn't have done it without them.





My dad read a book to the mermaids.









There was ocean food of course!







































Off to search for shells











Cupcakes of course









It was such a windy day...







This dramatic look is one she has waited all year to make. She can never, ever lick the frosting off a birthday candle. Only her non allergic frosting I make... so this is a big deal to her!



The puppets were fun...





But the best of all was the spontaneous dance party to "Under the Sea"



Now that's birthday joy!











And the calling on their "shell phones" (just might be my favorite picture of the day! )



Abigail handed out little mermaid treasure necklaces as the girls left...









After her classmates and friends left she opened presents from her grandparents and cousins. The party went on...





She kept saying, "mermaid tales... get it???? Tales and tails!!!"







As afternoon turned to evening I just had to get two more with my birthday girl... no matter how tired we all were

(the cousins made head band/braids from all of the crate paper) 


Oh these two... melt my heart...



It was sad to pack up the shells and such at the end of the day.



But the memories of this day will last a life time... can we do it again next week?