This is Three

Last month we celebrated Hermione's 3rd (eek!) birthday with an "under the sea" themed puppet party complete with a puppet show, puppet crafts, and even a visit from Ariel herself. Knowing I would have a newborn in tow (Portia was born just two weeks before the party) I enlisted the help of Keren Precel at Simply Perfect Events to help plan and execute the party and I am so glad I did. Having just given birth there was no way I could have organized and hosted a big birthday party on my own. Keren and her team made all of my dreams for Hermione's party come true. As the guests arrived we had a paper bag puppet making craft station set up for the kids, as well as a fun themed photo booth.

While everyone settled in our guests noshed on delicious bites that just happened to be gluten free and vegan. We have served a vegan menu at all of  Hermione's parties ( here and here ) and always get comments from our guests of how much they enjoyed it. People are shocked that their kids ate "healthy food" and didn't miss the traditional kid's party fare. The adults always leave satisfied as well! The menu this year consisted of fruit cups, a kale spring salad, crudite cups with hummus, vegan mac n'cheese. vegan pizzas, vegan chocolate chip cookies and vegan red velvet cupcakes.

After our guests had gotten a bite to eat we settled in for the main entertainment. Hermione is very into puppets since she was just over a year old so I knew this party had to involve a puppet show. I enlisted the talents of hipster puppet company Puppetsburg and had them create a unique "under the sea" themed show just for Hermione. They even built a mermaid puppet named Hermione that the birthday girl got to take home!

Before we cut the cake there was one big surprise. I arranged for Ariel herself to come and wish Hermione a Happy Birthday. I think having a "real live" mermaid princess at your party is what three year old dreams are made of. Somehow Hermione got Ariel to feed her pizza and read her a story! Lucky girl!

This was the first year we got Hermione a birthday cake and had everyone sing "Happy Birthday" to her. In the past we have just passed around cupcakes as we thought all the attention and singing would overwhelm her. This year however, she had been very into all things birthday party. She throws pretend parties for me and Doug all the time and is always singing "Happy Birthday to Mommy ( or Daddy)" while offering us a slice of pretend cake.

I still can't believe my baby is three. She has grown leaps and bounds this year from starting preschool, to potty training, to becoming the best big sister,  to deciding to sleep in her big girl bed. She is the light of my life and I can't wait to see what the next year holds!