{Real Parties} Darth Vader

This party is from July of 2011 and I am just now getting around to posting it.

What I loved about this party is that the birthday boy, Jack, has never seen any of the star wars movies (which is really refreshing) so when his mom and I were discussing party details, we had to work with what he did know.

The party was held at Jumping Jack Sports.  If you live in the northern Virgina area, I highly recommend checking it out for your kids parties or even for summer camps. The staff is very hands on and friendly and they really go out of the way to make sure the kids have a great time!

Darth Vader cake

 

Initially I wanted to make 'death star' cake pops but since

Jack wouldn't really be able to relate to them, we opted for the lightsaber pops.

The pops served as centerpieces as well as favors.

 

the lightsaber napkin--get the printable here

homemade lightsabers--red for the boys and pink for the girls

The adorable birthday boy!

{Real Parties} Ninja Party

I had to share this party with you.  Not just because I participated in making some of the items for the party, but because my neighbor Simran did an amazing job!  As you will see, her attention to detail really shines throughout this party.  It's hard to pinpoint a favorite but... if you twist my arm, I'd say my favorite part of the decor is the happy birthday 'scroll' type banner that Simran hand made using a plastic table cloth, streamers and Japanese style lettering.  So creative!!

Ninja Zee - the birthday boy

Simran with her handmade 'scroll' banner

still in keeping with the theme, Samurai dumplings

pancit noodles... made by my Filipino mom

dessert sushi:

rice krispies wrapped in fruit by the foot, with a Swedish fish center

Ninja balloons

chopstick-marshmallow relay game

Favors

Ninja Cake

Ninja cake pop favors

Happy 5th Birthday Ninja Zee!!

A New Year's Blessing

Happy 2012!

I am looking forward to an exciting year.  Like most of us, I added getting healthy to my list of resolutions but I also resolve to NOT neglect my blog no matter how busy I get.  I was truly blessed with more business than I could have imagined in 2011...the power of prayer!

With that said, I wanted to share a snippet of a new year's blessing that was sent to me that I fell in love with:

May the coming year be one of increased riches of grace - hearing His voice more clearly, knowing His heart more deeply, resting in His love more fully, trusting His care more completely, walking His pathway more peacefully, knowing His presence more intimately, blessed by His goodness more abundantly.

Thank you to all that stood by me and supported me in 2011.  I couldn't have done it without you!