The Big Artist Birhtday

Birthday preparations make me happy.  Like baking chocolate cake and whipping up my favorite chocolate frosting recipe... (music)



This year we followed Anna's lead and had a artist theme. The invitations looked like this...



"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up..." Pablo Picasso


(looks a little weird the way I just blocked out our address... but ya gotta on blogland)  

This girl, now eleven... I love her so...



And so does her daddy...



And of course her little sister...

(who, by the way, puts her leg up in every single picture this spring) 


This party was super fun to plan and do. We went with a primary colors theme...



Had berets at each place setting thanks to Abigail's awesome Kindergarten teacher who said, "wait! you have to have the berets for a party like that!" Do you know she's the one that got me started on pinterest? Love her!



I painted a sign and Scott had the awesome idea of setting it up on an easel.



Every party has to have streamers...



And something hanging from the trees at each party is a must!



And Anna's artist dress looked picture perfect with her new clear sandals she loves.







I love when the birthday girl sees the set up for the first time! Brushes, paints, canvas ready to go!



The favors were these thank you bags filled with gumballs



And these 'amazing artist' necklaces...



And then the girls arrived. We were ready to go!



The first activity was a cool one Scott led. Each girl had their own art paper and sharpie. They had to draw exactly what Scott told them but in their own interpretation. "draw a body... any shape you want for your creature..." Then they left their drawing and moved seats so that now they were sitting in front of a different drawing. "draw at least two noses on the creature..." They moved seats again and followed the directions and drew more. Once they did this and made it all the way back around the table to their first seat they had a pretty cool 'Dr. Seuss' type of creature! They really were awesome! It was a silly, fun, perfect way to start the party!

Even Abigail got to participate!





I love this one of Scott laughing along with the girls as they created their creatures!







Then it was time for painting! Each had their own square canvas and they spent the next hour just relaxing and painting away.



While Scott mixed colors and helps the artists out. (im not much help once the party starts... someone has to take the pictures!)



I had prepared objects for inspiration out before they started. A bowl of lemons, a tea cup, tea pot, sea shells, a vase of flowers...







Anna had such a lovely time painting her stuffed animal sea creatures!



Everyone did!















While the paintings dried it was time to open the Art Cafe











Paint brushes... yum!









We kept them hydrated and got their 'creative juices' going!





And then it was on to 'decorate your own cupcakes' what else at an artist party?





I found these round painting trays perfect for holding the toppings to decorate!







Quite possibly my favorite photo of the day!





It was such a happy party we were sad to see her friends go...



But then the grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles arrived for dinner... oh sooo good but it was time to put my camera down and eat! (so I have no pictures of that)

The 'grandparents cake' I call it is the most delicious chocolate cake in the world!



Grandma is lighting the candles and Anna must be pondering her birthday wish...



I am certain that is where the phrase 'birthday glow' comes from... the prettiest light hitting her face from the candles!



That's her "I'm eleven and I'm taking a moment to soak that in"



And there she goes... she did it... no matter how hard I tried stop her... went ahead and turned eleven! (love her sister in that one)



Sparkler candles are hard to blow out!





The rest of our evening was filled with cousins running, grandparent present opening, and silly pictures with mommy and daddy...



Yup... she can turn eleven but she'll always be our baby!





And we adore her so...