Under the Sea, Ainsley Turned 3!


The invitation

After Ainsley's first bday party where we made flag fruit kabobs, I swore I would never do crazy food things again, yet here I am, 2 years later, cutting watermelon into starfish.
Super proud of this one! I used to LOVE finding sea glass at the beach as a kid, so naturally, making sea glass candy was something I definitely had to attempt. Pretty pleased with how it came out.
Megan's incredible Ariel cake and dingle-hoppers! It tasted just as good as it looks!
4 layers of blue-green deliciousness!

Loved how these jellyfish came out! Wish I made 10 of them instead of 2!

Ariel gave Ainsley a lovely little fishy who she named Purple Flicken. Purple Flicken Joy Ulstad, to be exact.

Going on a seashell hunt

I was also quite proud of Ainsley's mermaid crown.

I seriously cannot believe that Ainsley is 3 years old! She is one of the smartest and most entertaining little girls I know. Her name, which means, "ones own meadow" could not have been more adeptly chosen for her. Ainsley is most in her element when frolicking through open fields or rolling around in the grass. She prefers to be a leader, not a follower (which can be a bit of a challenge when she's leading her parents around). She's quite shy, but quite the performer. Ballgowns, sparkly shoes, and jewelry are not just for play, they are her daily attire. Grand gestures are not just for acting, they are for talking. Books are not just for listening, they are for memorizing. Ainsley memorizes every book she likes, regardless of how long it is. At 2.5 years old she was "reading" Sofia and the Floating Palace to US. And thus came the idea for an Ariel themed birthday party.

We had a very magical birthday celebration for our little mermaid complete with an array of "seafood" (starfish watermelon, goldfish, Pirate's Booty, shells n' cheese, sea glass candy favors and an amazing Ariel cake made by Megan). Highlights of the day included swimming, (of course) a seashell hunt, painting their seashells, and a visit from Ariel, herself.

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