Ava's 6th Birthday!

I cannot believe my baby girl is already 6 years old.  I feel like it was yesterday when I was holding her in my arms.  Boy does time fly!

 

  

Ava wanted an under the sea party.  Well actually she originally started with a mermaid birthday party.  I always make the invitations for the kids parties, so like usual I made her a mermaid invitation - I think it turned out really cute don't you?

 

 

After I thought I was finished with the invitations, Ava saw a fishy one she wanted.  So, that's how her party became an under the sea party.  I think this invitation is cute too plus my beautiful little girl gets to be on the card. 
 

 

 

 

I made an octopus pinata for the kids.  Every party we have a pinata and every time I make it.  I can't see spending $15 or more for something so simple and inexpensive to make.  All it takes is a balloon, paper mache paste and strips of newspaper.  That's it - how cheap is that.  Plus you (and if you dare the kids) can get messy - it could be therapeutic - right?

 

Paper Mache Paste:

 

• 1 part flour to 5 parts water
• boil about 3 minutes stirring as it thickens
• let cool

This is the best way to do it, quick, easy and super smooth.

 

 Tips:

 

• Only cover with no more than 4 layers of paper.
• On the last layer use white printer paper (this makes it much easier to paint).
• Let it dry completely before letting air out of balloon.
• Always let air out very slowly (use a pin to poke a small hole).

 

For hanging:

1. Tie a loop of string to a paper clip.
2. Tape the paper clip onto the balloon before you start maching.
3. Mache over top of the paper clip.
4. Make sure not to mache over the string.

These instructions were adapted from: http://www.dltk-kids.com/type/how_to_paper_mache.htm

I used green - like a lime green - colored tissue paper torn into squares and glued all over.  Then I printed out eyes and a smile and glued them right on.  For the 8 legs/arms I took a short cut and used crepe paper cut into 8 pieces and glued onto the bottom.  Simple, easy and effective.   

I love to fill the pinata with candies I know the kids love.  Usually we have a mix of tootsie rolls, dum dums suckers, starburst (individually wrapped) basically anything that is wrapped!  Fun and yummy too!! 

Ava had lots of fun at her party.  Now Mikey is trying to get me to start planning his party.  I think not - his birthday isn't until March.  I have six months, but you all know I'll start planning right after the holidays!!