Our Little Mermaid Birthday Party

We had a Frozen birthday party for my daughter last year, and immediately after it, she announced she was going to have a Little Mermaid party for her fifth birthday. "Ok," we said. "Sure." Fully expecting, of course, that she would change her mind 500 times in the following twelve months. So, we waited. Over the year, she discovered new things--ballet, Dr Seuss, Shopkins, Ever After, Monster High--but still, she remained committed to the mermaid party. So, early this year, when it seemed like the concept was really going to stick, I started planning.

I decided to make it more "general mermaid" with a color scheme of aqua, purple, and gold--and touches of the famed Disney redhead rather than a full-on Ariel fest. I pinned like crazy to my Pinterest party board (and eventually created this dedicated Mermaid Party board), and starting ordering like a madwoman from Etsy. And, then before long, the day was here.

As guests arrived, there was a "dance party" happening in the living room led by my 18-year-old niece, and featuring my daughter's favorite singers including Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Kesha, and Meghan Trainor. It was so cute to see the kids getting down, but the best part was when "Let It Go" came on and 20 five year olds simultaneously screamed like it was freaking Justin Bieber. Those not into dancing could visit the temporary tattoo station I set up on our coffee table or take a silly photo with sea-themed props in front of the faux ocean backdrop.

Meanwhile, guests snacked on pickled shrimp, "sea vegetables," "seaweed artichoke dip," crab dip, and more, and sipped "lemermaid" (heh, heh) or mermaid beer.

Before long, "Ariel" arrived. (She brought her friend Belle because we had too many kids for one princess and there is really no coordinating character from the movie.) They put on a show complete with singing, face painting, and curtseying--that all of the kids were into for about ten minutes. (Then the boys peeled off to go ransack our playroom while most of the girls stayed glued to the princesses.)

When the show was over, the kids gathered 'round tooting on some old-school paper blowers (I bought them last minute on a whim--you never see them anymore because they're not "Pinterest fancy," but the kids loved them). Everyone sang Happy Birthday, my daughter blew out her candles on the (awesome!) sandcastle cake that my mom made, then we all started digging into cupcakes.

We handed out the favors (plastic pails filled with Goldfish crackers, sugar cookies, bubbles, Ariel pencils, stickers, a fish ring pop, and a sea-themed bath toy), and one by one, the guests filed out.

And just like that, my girl was officially five.

All in all, it was an incredibly crowded party (we invited her whole preschool class--and every. single. person. was able to come), but I'd say it went...swimmingly. ;)

What do you think? I'd love to hear!

Vendors

Photography: Morgan Bayard Photography
Glitter birthday banner: The Bannerie
Tassel garland: Tassel and Twine
Gold sequin table runner: Amazlinen
Personalized birthday poster: All Chalk
Always Be A Mermaid poster: ModGenesDesigns
Photo Booth props: The Party Girl Studio
Photo Booth backdrop: PartyCheap.com
Little Mermaid temporary tattoos: Amazon
Tablecloth: Amazon
Cupcakes: Sweet
Cake topper: Jules & Kenna
Gold candles: Amazon
Cupcake wrappers, toppers, etc. printables: Bernelo
Bubbles: Rhode Island Novelty
Bath squirters: Small World Toys
Fish ring pops: Amazon
Mermaid Pilsner beer: Coney Island Brewing Co.
Mermaid cookie cutter: R&M