• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Courtney DeFeo

Creator & Ideator. Motivator for Families. Cheerleader for Loving & Serving

  • About
  • Start Here
  • Treasured Girlz
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Search
  • About
  • Start Here
  • Treasured Girlz
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Search

Ella’s 7th Birthday Party

October 20, 2013 //  by Courtney


IMG_7650

 

I have no idea why I am wide awake at 4 am the night after Ella’s 7th birthday party – so I’m flipping through the photos. Might as well load them for you guys to see.


When you’ve done 7 years of birthday parties and you have it in you to go CRAZY with a theme – it’s fun to start noticing the differences. I am creative being so I enjoy the process. However, its easy to slip into the trap of making it about my fun and not even about my child. Not this time. My only regret was attempting this thing. It was tons of work and not like the photo I had in mind.

IMG_7666

 

 

The Theme and Place

It started with a big ask for a bounce house and we said “yes” – and then face painting came up and all of a sudden we had a carnival theme. Or, I had a reason to start pinning some stuff. Invites and other stuff here.

Kristy Conley Invite

We had it at the green space just a block from our house. I’ve been staring at this space for a while wanting a party and Ella said “NO” last year and said “YES” this year! Woohoo! On either side of that gazebo thing – huge green spaces to run and run and play.

 

photo-384

Photo Booth

When you see this party, you may still think WHOAH. However, I see a relaxed version of me. I pinned about 12 things I never did on Pinterest. I can see the differences. I’ll try to point them out.

IMG_7648

For instance, in another life… I would not have liked that the fabric didn’t cover that whole thing and I would have never taped it on with masking tape showing. And probably would’ve bought a cuter bin to match the party. Shameful, I know.  I’m just showing any other crazy control freak perfectionists – there is hope out there. 🙂

 

IMG_7651



I just grabbed every piece of fun from our playroom and a random frame, fabric from Walmart, peg board from garage – and voila: Photo Booth!

 

IMG_7680

IMG_7652

IMG_7704

 

Face Painting & Tattoos

The parents might be cursing me tomorrow morning before church – but face painting was top of the list for Ella. Sweet babysitter Kailyn (her VBS teacher Ella loved and we didn’t leave the week without her cell phone number) managed that station.

 

IMG_7677

 

Previous years, this table would’ve had a sign – a cute bowl… it had  what it needed. And a wagon full of junk behind it. My Atlanta BFFs are really going to be proud.

IMG_7702

I think the shocking moment and maybe crowd pleaser – was when I let two girls paint my face. Absolutely!

 

Games

I looked all kinds of cute games on Pinterest.  And, I just got lazy, tired or sane. I borrowed corn hole. Sweet Aunt Sandy brought a ring toss and bowling game.

 

IMG_7708

 

They LOVED the sack race (Party City). My former self would’ve done a sign for each event brilliantly printed to match the theme. Here’s some sacks on the ground. You get what to do, right?

photo-381

 

And they even figured out how to play this game of “cup pong” – Carey taught me. Tape cups on a table. Use straws to blow ping pong balls into the cups. My former self would have NEVER taped such ridic signs like that. Freedom at last!

photo-382

 

Food

I don’t even have a photo of the table! Gasp! In the past the food table would’ve been the deal! Like pure perfection – great coordination. I had chips/salsa, pretzels and water bottles. And cake! It was 4 o’clock. They didn’t come for a full 5-course meal – they came to play and eat cake. Can you tell I’m proud of myself for such strides in letting go? Oh, wait – I did borrow my friend Nikki’s super cute popcorn machine – that was a major hit.
IMG_7684

And they left with animal crackers and cotton candy in some random bags I found on clearance that Ella did with Sharpie and messed up and scribbled and wrote beside them. And I ran out. That part did give me a twitch. I like a cute party favor.

Bouncy House

Worth every penny. Entertained a classroom of first graders for two hours. And mine for about six hours. Hence red faces.

IMG_7656

IMG_7686

Sweetest Moments

And at the end of the day, what matters is family and friends. My sweet girl picked out her cake and wanted all her friends there from school and church. She smiled and she ran and she giggled.

IMG_7692

She wore the dress mom ordered to match the theme even though she really didn’t want to.

 

IMG_7657-001

 

 

She was super excited to have some of her big friends and biggest fans there – three of her super star babysitters, “intern Katie,” “babysitter Amy” and Kailyn. I got a chance to thank them for loving my girls and loving Jesus. Their influence matters. I am so grateful.

 

photo-373

 

She did a great job trying to include and play with such a huge crowd. She let her sister invite her bestie Annalee.

IMG_7696

 

She was so proud to have her grandparents there. They love so big and are the BIGGEST helpers. Thankful.

IMG_7675

 

You know how this made me smile. All my head gear in use.

 

photo-376

 

I didn’t have chairs – had visions of a cute table all set. This works. They sat for literally 40 seconds.

 photo-377

 

photo-378

She loves her friends.

photo-375

 

And I loved whispering to them “Thank you for being Ella’s friend and being there for her. We are so glad you came.” with a sincere hug whenever I could get one of them one alone as they raced by.
photo-374
And that was a wrap. Finishing up tonight with prayers in bed over her sweet sleeping body. Thanking God for this baby girl. Not so much out of “fear” and “protect her” type of prayers. More about, “God use this girl. Thank you for who she is and how you’ve made her. Thank you for how you’ve incredibly blessed us already with her life. …
photo-372
Her real birthday is not even until Wednesday! I’ll be back with a “special gift” similar to what we did last year – and we’ll do a giveaway for that.

Category: Fun Ideas for the Home, My Girls - Personal Notes, Raising Girls

About Courtney

Courtney DeFeo is most known for being a factory of ideas for families. It’s her desire to lead a life that radiates God’s love in action and His grace along the way. As a former marketing professional for corporations such as Chick-fil-A and Ketchum Public Relations, Courtney has a history of creating memorable programs and ideas that motivate others to action. She is the author of In This House, We Will Giggle, creator of ABC Scripture Cards and Virtue Cards and the kindness movement Light ‘Em Up Acts. Her latest project is a community for tween girls and their moms - found at TreasuredGirlz.com. Her house is a wreck and she hates to cook. She adores her hot, patient husband. She posts entirely too many photos of her two girls on Instagram. Connect with Courtney anytime: Twitter • Website • Facebook • Instagram

Previous Post: « Light ‘Em Up is Baaccckkk
Next Post: Service & Courage »

Primary Sidebar

Greetings from Texas! I’m not an expert. I’m your friend. I love when faith comes to life in families. That’s what I’m doing most days of the week. Or, apologizing to my kids for the mess ups. Come in and get comfy. Start here.

Meet Courtney

JOIN THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Get “60 Ways To Make Your House Giggle” & receive continued resources from Courtney DeFeo!

SHOP PRODUCTS

Categories

Light 'Em Up! - Courtney DeFeo

Copyright © 2023 Courtney DeFeo · All Rights Reserved · Site by Design by Insight