Happy fourth birthday to our swan princess: Lilias Joy!

A few weeks ago we celebrated our little ballerina with a Swan Lake birthday celebration.

A ten minute walk through a wildflower speckled wood, round a glistening lake led to our venue: the Visitor’s Pavilion at 100 Acres. The afternoon was uncommonly hot, but the forecasted thunderstorm held off until the evening which allowed everyone to get to and fro without wetting their feathers.

The little swans, who were asked to wear white and bring ballet slippers if owned, were adorned with a feather headpiece upon arrival. Guests munched chicken salad croissants, fruit, cucumber sandwiches, a cheese platter, and veggies before sampling sparkling swan cookies, chocolates, and rock candy.

Our glam loving Lilias wore a white tutu gifted to her by her Nene and a feather crown made by her momma. Presents were enthusiastically enjoyed as were the vintage ballerina topped vanilla cupcakes.

Swans could compliment their look with a glittery manicure and pearls and craft a ribbon wand for participation in the party’s grand finale: a Swan Lake ballet!

Swans were given a small ballet lesson with emphasis on swan-like poses and were soon ready for their grand debut! The ballerinas fluttered onto the stage, waving their ribbons and twirling to the Swan Lake theme song.

Such a dreamy way to celebrate our feminine, sparkling, ballet-loving girl with the sweetest friends and family.

Feather headpieces: feathers + satin headbands + hot glue / Vanilla cupcakes / Vintage ballerina toppers + DIY tutorial / Ribbon wands: dowel rods + screw eyes + ribbons / Swan cookies: cookie cutter + royal icing + black and gold icing for beak and eye + glitter / Rock candy

In 2016 the U.S. National Parks Service celebrated its 100th birthday and in November of the same year my nephew celebrated his 1st! His parents are outdoorsy sorts of folk. The kind who will spend a week camping whilst pregnant and convince their naive six month pregnant sister to do the same. So, a National Parks Service themed birthday was fitting for their little ranger in training. The waffle iron was ket hot all morning serving brunch to hungry "campers." Partygoers explored the yard, challenged to "spot the bird's nest with binoculars" (hidden in a tree) and "find squirrel's stash" (a pile of acorns) as a part of a scavenger hunt. Kids laughed and danced along with a clever puppet show starring Herbie, a young possum on his journey to give a birthday gift to Levi. We devoured delicious s'more cakes and cupcakes and heard rumors of them being the best cupcakes ever tasted! As friends departed they took home a little bag with a medley of gummies, chocolates, and savory snacks from the trail mix bar. Such a fun way to celebrate our little Ranger Levi!