Kaylin is THREE

Wow. Yesterday was a long day. It was kind of fun having both kids' birthdays on a Saturday this year, but the next time they fall on a weekend, I'll plan their parties for a different day.
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Kaylin was awoken yesterday morning by Mike, Ryan and I singing "Happy Birthday." We also filled some pink and white balloons and brought them in with us. (for some reason, she was sleeping on the floor...)

She opened her presents from us, wearing a tiara of course. She got LOTS of Disney Princess gifts, specifically Ariel, since she just discovered that she has red hair, "...just like me!!!" I bought her The Little Mermaid movie, which kept the kids occupied while we cleaned up wrapping paper, breakfast dishes and made the final preparations for the party at 11:00.

I spent Thursday night and Friday decorating the front room, turning it into a grand ballroom. I borrowed wall coverings from a friend and they looked so great along both of the main walls.

Kaylin was most excited for her Princess cake. Even after the party, she told me this was her favorite part of her birthday.

Because I'm a complete sucker, I made crowns to transform Mike and I into King Daddy and Queen Mommy. Kaylin decorated mine, I spared Mike and decorated his. I watched this video for a tutorial. They didn't stay on our heads for very long.

Once the kids were all dressed and ready to go, the party began!

As everyone arrived, the girls painted wooden treasure boxes that I bought at Michael's for $1 each. (FYI: they're $2.99 at JoAnn's) I found a package of wooden letters at the dollar store so each girl had the wooden initial of her name to paint and add to the top. The boxes were filled with a candy bracelet, a sparkling glitter bracelet, a big clunky ring, "jewels" and some gem stickers to adorn the outside. If I would have let her, Kaylin would have spent the whole party painting.

We had a nail polishing station set up for the kids to beautify themselves while their treasure boxes dried.

For lunch, I made spinach quiche and a green salad for the moms. The little girls had PB&J sandwiches cut into stars with candy sticks stuck in them to make them look like wands. I also had apples (think Snow White) with a pink fruit dip, mini banana muffins and white chocolate covered pretzels with pink sprinkles. The girls drank pink lemonade and the moms drank iced tea.
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After lunch, the girls played "Pin the Crown on the Princess."

After gifts, we sang and ate cake...I always do cake last so the kids can go home and have their sugar coma during naptime.

Even though it doesn't seem like Kaylin has many "friends," I invited the nine little 1-3 year old girls that she knows and plays with. I was shocked that ALL were able to come (one called the morning of with a fever) but it was a perfect first "official" birthday party for her. She is a bit more mature than Ryan was at this age and she handled all of the excitement and attention like a champ.
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Here we all are...the royal family. Exausted after a successful party for the Princess! Kaylin and I crashed for a solid 2 hours after the house was put back together and today, my lower back is still killing me from all that standing. But it was so worth it to see my pretty girl's face lit up for hours. Happy Birthday, Kaylin!