August 6, 2012

Ah-DORA-ble Success

I'm still recovering from Kendall's Ah-DORA-ble Fiesta yesterday.  Yes, recovering from a 2-year-old party is possible. The excitement, the decorations, the presents, the food, the people, it was all so much {in a good way}.  Kendall is beyond blessed and this party proved just that.  She was surrounded by 30{ish} people who love her and who she loves and really, we couldn't have asked for a better day.  
I was so excited for the party that I started setting up early in the week.  Like, on Tuesday.  I had this amazing banner that I got from Oriental Trading that I just had to get up.  In fact, I love it so much I might keep it up year round.

Kendall started getting really excited when she saw this and every day I added a little bit more and she would say "ooohhhhh Dora BIRTHday!"  

Saturday, after she went to bed, I went a little crazy and decided to make her "smash cake"{is it still a smash cake when they're 2?}.  I was overly ambitious, thanks to Pinterest, but I was pretty pleased with the results, even if, in person, it was a little messy.

The important part was that Kendall loved it!  She ate each and every polka dot off of the top and then was done.  Perfect.
My cousin had found this giant Dora balloon months ago and was so excited to buy it for her. When she showed up with it I was not expecting what I saw.  
Kendall LOVED it!  OMG I am surprised she didn't want to sleep with it.  She keeps saying, "really big Dora balloooooon!!!"  Yep. That was the highlight of the party, I'd say.
The rest of the decor was pretty simple.  We did a nacho bar so it was buffet style, taco/nacho goodness.  Speaking of I still have 7 bags of chips and like 6lbs of meat, 4 bags of cheese and 4 jars of salsa left over.  If anyone wants to come over for dinner, you know what we'll be having for the next month.
Happy birthday banner and cupcake toppers courtesy of Little Laws Prints.
I am not a big fan of giving crap for party favors.  Last year we had bubbles and they got rave reviews and this year I wanted something that would be just as fun.  I scoured Etsy {of course} until I found the perfect thing, Dora sugar cookies.
Thanks to Cake it to the Limit for the cookies and, again, Little Laws Prints for the favor tags.  AH-DORA-BLE.
Oh, and the guest of honor?  How could I forget her royal ah-DORA-ble-ness.  She was a rockstar.  I mean girl acted like she's been having a birthday party her whole life.  I think one of my favorite moments from the day was watching her open gifts.  She was ripping the paper and tossing the tissue saying, "oohhh I LIKE it" like a pro.  
Party tee from Isabella Inspired and I'm thankful I was able to peel it off of her by the end of the day, she LOVED it.
Unfortunately those are all the pictures I took.  I am thankful for an amazing mother-in-law who acted as the photographer of the day so I can't wait to see what shots she got.  
At the end of the day Jimmy and I were exhausted, to say the least.  But, alas, we were left with a great mess and happy girl.
I'd say it was a success. 
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37 comments:

  1. It looks like she had a wonderful time and you did a FABULOUS job on all the decorations! I bet she will be talking about her Dora party for months to come!! Too bad I don't live closer because I would definitely pop over for some leftover mexican food! YUM! Happy Birthday to sweet KP!

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  2. SUCH an awesome party! I didn't realize how massive that balloon was but it's hysterical!

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  3. What a fantastic party!! That Dora balloon would have scared that crap out of me when I was little. KP must really love her Doe-Rahhh!

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  4. You did such a great time and it looks like she had a blast!

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  5. Soo soo awesome! KP with that Dora balloon is priceless. Everything looked great and I love her "smash" cake. Great job!

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  6. What a cute party!!!!! That ballon is huge, I don't think I've ever seen a life size cartoon character before, but it does not surprise me!

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  7. Wow! Mom of the Year! I had no idea a Dora party could be so cute. I hope KP enjoyed every minute! :)

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  8. what a fun party! I wish I was there!!!!!

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  9. That balloon is awesome!! What a great theme! The look on her face shows she loves it!

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  10. GREAT JOB! Aren't birthday parties SO MUCH FUN?!?!?! I LOVE planning Easton's parties! You did awesome! LOVE that huge balloon!

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  11. You did a great job!! That smash cake was so so cute! Happy Birthday KP

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  12. Wow everything looks great and that is one adorable birthday girl! Glad it was a success!

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  13. Looks so fun! Makes me want to try and have a pinterest worthy party for Chase's 2nd. I was kind of over it after his 1st.

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  14. So cute! I love the banner you found at oriental trading! I'd leave it up too!

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  15. What a fun party! You did a great job and it looks like KP had a blast! :)

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  16. Looks like such a fun time! You did such a great ob tying everything together!!

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  17. Everything looks awesome!!! So glad she enjoyed herself!

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  18. Pat yourself on the back girlfriend! KP's party was absolutely adorable and something she'll remember/talk about for a long time. That MAHOOSIVE Dora balloon was amazing and I loved your party favor idea.
    Oh, and I know I've already shared my love affair with funfetti cupcakes on Instagram the other night, but seeing pictures of them again just then made me drool. As in, I needed a tissue kind of drooling.

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  19. looks like a total hit!!! still sad we couldn't make it! ;)

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  20. Everything looks so great! Happy Birthday, KP!

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  21. Loving all the details! You nailed it! Love the present pics of Kendall...and a BIG Happy Birthday to her! So glad it was a success...isn't it great to see all your stressing and planning work out :)

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  23. enjoy them while they r little. they grow up and fly away!

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  24. Oh mama you outdid yourself! I LOVE it all! Especially the life sized balloon - how cool is that!? I know that KP LOVED it all!

    (Is she still coming down from the party-ing? Trey and I def need a detox over here! Ha!) :)

    You deserve a pat on the back and a big glass of wine!!! :)

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  25. Super cute!! loved it all, great job momma!

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  26. Love it!! Great job. That balloon is craziness. First photo I was thinking, okay big balloon. But the side by side is hilarious!

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  27. I loved every single one of these photos! Little miss looked so excited! I am glad you all enjoyed it & I am glad you mamma are getting to rest up after the adventure :)

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  28. That all looks awesome! You did an amazing job! Glad it turned out so well!!!

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  29. It's incredible, Shan! LOVE IT!!!

    And? I don't think I've ever seen KP look MORE like you than she does in these pics! Pretty mama, pretty baby!

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  30. SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO cute!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

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  31. Everything looks great and KP looks adorable as always!

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  32. I just LOVE this. That Dora balloon is awesome.

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  33. It looks like KP had a great time & everything turned out so cute! I can't believe it's time for our babies to be TWO. That seems crazy!

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  34. What a cute party, KP looks like she had a blast :)

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  35. Oh my gosh! All of that turned out SO cute!! I love it! I'm glad that it turned out so well.

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