{my shy, little mermaid}
{all ready for friends to come!}
{the beautiful sign my mother-in-law painted to welcome the mermaids around back}
{our little fishnet party favors: a collection of seashells, homemade shell crayons, and chocolate shells}
{Johanna's request of an ice cream bar, and, served by Daddy and sisters!}
{The mermaid cupcakes. Ahh... I was so excited about them. More on them later.}
{a gift of a mermaid tail--how fun! }
{Does the drift wood look familiar from the last party??}
{I totally thought everyone would eat the cupcake and save the cookie--the girls went right for the mermaid cookie first! Definitely the sweetest party we've thrown.}
{I loved watching Johanna in her mermaid tail I made her. I wasn't anything special (a seam up the back and such) but she really loves playing the part}
{my sweet Johanna--while everyone splashed and swam, she was often found outside of the pool. here she is flipping through her new civil war book.}
{this is brown sugar. the washed up bottles are in sand. not to be confused.}
A special party, indeed.
It was so fun putting together an elegant mermaid celebration with simple details of shells, aqua and green, and rough and smooth textures. I think my Johanna was happy--in her quiet way--she felt special to have the attention for the afternoon. I loved watching her and capturing it (while playing hostess which always is tricky!) as she and her friends and sisters ate, played, and she opened presents.
And I had my Bobby there. He helped where ever I needed him and was just there. These celebrations matter so much more when the whole family is there. My mermaid cookies-- which were quite time consuming to make--were the pretty and vintage mermaid centerpiece I was hoping they'd be atop of neutral colored cupcakes. I love when there are some things that go just as planned.
And, thankfully, the sun did make an appearance by the end of the party. It was a special afternoon. Thanks for all of your excitement and encouragement. I wish I could send you all a leftover cupcake!
the sleepy time gal