My oldest "baby" turned four on January 1st, and we had her birthday party this last Saturday. I've been throwing her birthday party a couple of weeks after her actual birthday because of the busy Christmas / New Year's season, and she hasn't minded (yet!).
This year, she wanted a Strawberry Shortcake themed party. She picked the theme back in June (yes, June!) and explained to me in great detail her vision for the event:
"I would like to look like Strawberry Shortcake, Mama, with red sparkly hair and a strawberry on my shirt."
(I made this costume back in October - here's the tutorial - and it did come with a "sparkly" red wig!)
"Can I please have cupcakes with roses and pink sparkles on them?"
(The cupcakes were made with cake mix and iced with buttercream frosting. We made strawberries with homemade marshmallow fondant - they were basically just blobs of red with smaller blobs of green attached and we poked strawberry-ish holes in them with a toothpick. We completed these with edible pink sparkly sprinkles, of course!)
"For a cake, I want Strawberry Shortcake on top with her big skirt on the bottom. OK, Mom?"
(As you can see, I used my Mom Powers to usurp the cake plan a little. I couldn't bring myself to make one of those cake-bottomed doll cakes, so we came up with this polka-dotted fondant one instead. I put some of her Strawberry Shortcake toys on top which made her happy!)
Side Note: Last year I swore I'd never try making marshmallow fondant ever, ever again. After looking at the price of pre-made stuff this year, I decided to hand make it AGAIN. It makes me so mad to work with! All goes well until I attempt to roll it onto the cake, and then it tears apart (this cake has a patch job). Any fondant tips from experienced cake makers out there would be so appreciated!
I made this fun fabric scrap banner simply by tying fabric strips around a piece of ¼" wide elastic (I have plans for it's use after the party - I'll share that with you this week), and I made custom labels and treat bag toppers that matched our berry theme.
If you happen to throw a Strawberry-themed party, feel free to download these free printables for your personal use (make sure to print these PDF's at full size):
Strawberry Shortcake Party Bag Tags
Strawberry Shortcake Party Water Labels
I caught Little C peeking ever so gingerly over her blindfold as she "just happened to" get the berry in exactly the right spot... What a girl.
Despite some relatively major oopses (like losing the candles, getting the pizza late, running out of hats and balloons...), my girlie pulled me in close as I tucked her in that night and said:
"Mama, that was the best party ever!"
And that made every little bit of stress and preparation worthwhile... even that impossible marshmallow fondant!
I love you, Little C. Happy fourth birthday party!
Betty Minnes
So many cute elements to the party. I really like the scrappy banner and the cake is much better than those doll dress ones. You did a great job, no wonder she loved it.
Christina Dennis
Thanks, Auntie Betty! I'm glad I got her to go for the polka dot cake.
Sarah Davis
Cheers! Love the themed party! The cupcakes and cake are adorable...as is your daughter! I have a little one turning 4 next month and she also planned her birthday party months ago. She changed her mind about 40 times but ended back on Cat in the Hat. No idea why... but I can't wait to decorate for it. I always use buttercream frosting b/c fondant scares me. So kuddos to you for braving it! Job well done!!
Christina Dennis
That sounds like an adorable theme, Sarah. My Little C was the same - she started planning her party MONTHS before the big day. Have fun!
Sara Gibson
Wow! What an awesome birthday party! Great job, Christina!