Hadley's 5th Birthday and Mermaid Party

After a three month hiatus, I'm hoping to finally catch up on posting some important things that I don't want to forget about and let slide through the cracks. So excuse me for jumping way back to March for Hadley's fifth birthday, but I just can't help it!

As usual, my sweet but fickle little lady changed her mind more times than I can remember about what type of party theme she wanted in the months leading up to this milestone birthday. But, finally, in the end, we decided a mermaid party would be a good fit for our girly girl and ran with it. 

Usually, we take the kids out somewhere special for their real birthday and have their party a separate day, but since Hadley's special day landed on a Friday, we ended up doing both in the same day. The morning started out with a few gifts from Mommy and Daddy, and the rest of the day was spent enjoying a visit from Grandpa and his friend Loretta. 

That evening is when things got exciting! 

One of my cousins threw a mermaid party for her daughter a few weeks prior at an indoor pool. We had debated the same idea at maybe the WARF again or possibly a local gym, but after attending their party and seeing the nice facility they used, we decided to book Royal Horseshoe Ranch. Though more extravagant that I typically go for birthday parties, the ranch was really the perfect place for a mermaid party. It had a large pool with lots of pool toys provided for those who wanted to join in the water fun, but also a clubhouse with a viewing area for guests who just wanted to sit back and watch the festivities without getting soaked. It was also so much easier for me at eight months pregnant to do a destination party that to try to get my house in party condition and then re-clean it afterwards. In the end, I think we all agreed that is was a good choice.

Dave kept telling me that since we were having the party at the pool that meant I didn't have to do so much extra work, but you know me - I love party planning! As usual, thanks to Pinterest for giving more ideas than I had time for, I bit off more than I could chew. Thankfully, Dave, Grandpa, and Loretta were all great help for getting everything set up and ready for our guests.

Goldfish & Chips

Shell pasta, anyone?

Dinglehoppers! Every Little Mermaid needs one!

One of the reasons I was excited about this theme was a fun idea I saw for making a wall covered in fish and streamers twisted like seaweed. Dave happened to make some fish for a Christian Service Brigade craft recently that I thought would be perfect to use, so he sat down with the kids one day per my request and made some more for party decor. Once we got to the pool, the day of the party, he took on the task of decorating the room with the pool. While the seaweed streamers weren't twisted up all cutesy like the online pic I'd seen, he did a pretty good job for not having anything to go by but my minimal instructions. He's so patient with my harebrained schemes. (Love you, hubby!)

One of my favorite things to plan for this party were the favors. There were just so many fun options to do with a pool party. Pool noodles, bubble wands, seaweed, bait, bubble gum...

Bait, seaweed, and bubble gum

Pinterest gave me tons of ideas for cakes and I couldn't pick just one. These were fun to try and all relatively easy to make.

Of course, Hadley wanted to wear her Ariel dress for the occasion.

Finally, we were all ready for the guests to arrive! Between our family members, friends from church, and the families in our little mini co-op, we had 36 all together, but there was plenty of space for everyone to roam. The kids played a little in the clubhouse and in the basketball court room, and then we had supper.

The kids didn't waste much time though; they were ready to get in the pool!

Hadley and Anabella - BFFs

Amanda and Brooks 

The Fourniers

My cuties

I appreciated Dave for getting in the pool and chasing the kids, so I didn't have to try to fit in a bathing suit at eight months pregnant! 

Peyton

While the pool room was pretty steamy, the grandparents had a great viewing spot from inside the clubhouse.

Jennifer and Calvin

Payton and Hadley

Brooks

Anabella, Peyton, Caleb, and Dan - Cousins!

There was no need for coming up with any other games or activities - the pool kept everyone entertained. The only down side was that, eventually, we had tell everyone it was time to get out so we could do cake and presents. If you have to get out of the pool though, cake is a pretty good consolation.

After getting sugared up, the kids played a little more on the court and with the Foosball table.

Then, they all crowded around to see what was in all those beautifully stuffed birthday packages.

Who told Aunt Courtney she'd been wanting this game? ;)

Must be something exciting!

Hadley had been enjoying Caleb's circuit set and wanted one of her own, so Mommy hinted to NaNa!

It was a lot of work, but it was also a lot of fun. Hopefully, it will be a special day she won't soon forget!

And guess what! Digging into those new toys made the rest of the weekend extra fun too. :)

Hadley, 

We hope you enjoyed your special day. You are so precious to us and beautiful inside and out.

Love, Mommy and Daddy