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Ballerina Birthday Party

Ballerina Birthday Party: Step by Step Guide for the Ultimate Ballerina Party

There’s something incredibly classy and timeless about a ballerina-themed birthday party for a girl! From an early age, many girls naturally develop an interest and enthusiasm for ballet as they watch performances, begin dance lessons, and even take the stage themselves.  Our family loves attending holiday performances of The Nutcracker and A Midsummer Night’s Dream Ballet. The principal dancers showcase years of dedication to mastering ballet, pointe, and achieving excellence in their craft. Yet, our favorite moments come from watching the youngest ballerinas—those who have just completed their first year of lessons. Their sheer excitement for ballet and the joy of performing on stage is simply contagious, and they look absolutely adorable in their costumes!  Young girls admire these talented dancers and the skill they’ve cultivated to perform with such grace. Many start taking dance lessons early, developing coordination and committing themselves to learn all the positions.  A ballerina birthday party is the opportunity to set the stage with loads of pink, tulle, floral, and beautiful ballerinas taking center stage with your daughter getting to take center stage!  Here is our step-by-step guide to help you set up your ballerina party tablescape, dessert buffet, party decor, party gifts, party dress, and party favors.  This ballerina party is inspired by beautiful ballerina costumes, fabrics, and French fashion.  This article is all about a Ballerina Birthday Party! French Inspired Inspiration for your Ballerina Party Decor The look of our ballerina party was inspired by travel –  a Spring trip to Paris!  When you think about The Palace of Versailles and Marie Antoinette’s beautiful bedroom and the elaborate robe à la française dresses of that time period, the mix of pinks and florals is so beautiful and timeless.  This is the inspiration for our french inspired Ballerina Birthday party decor.  In addition to the beautiful florals and fabrics, macarons are quintessentially French.  Everyone loves  these soft patisserie with the perfect crunchy texture and delicious ganache filled cookies!  So we wanted to include macarons in the decor and feature them on the dessert buffet.  Here is the postcard from Paris that highlights this look for a French inspired ballerina birthday party. Meri Meri Laduree Floral Paper Garland These beautiful and delicate paper flower garlands are perfect for adding a french touch!  These garlands were a bit of a splurge and will be reused for future parties.  These garlands are made of delicate paper mache and pink ribbons.  You will want to assemble these a day or two before your party so you’re not rushed for time.  We found that laying them out face down on a table was the easiest way to construct these garlands.  And we used a quarter inch gold ribbon we had purchased instead of the gold thread that comes with these kits which was not easy to use and the slightly thicker ribbons makes it easier for each of the floral segments to have something to catch onto and stay in place without taping the backside of these delicate paper garlands.   Learn more… Stocking hangers You might be surprised to find these in a Ballerina Party guide, but these stocking hangers are perfect for use year round to hang garlands on your mantel without having to add nails which look terrible and can damage your fireplace millwork and mantel.  These very subtle hangers can hold weight garlands without falling off and are hardly noticeable. Learn more… Macaron Display Stand We have used and enjoyed this clear plastic macaron stand for several occasions.  This macaron stand is a beautiful and inexpensive addition to your french inspired Ballerina Birthday Party dessert bar.  You can’t underestimate how much time party planning and decorating takes and you will want to purchase  these macarons.   Even if you love to bake – French patisserie and macarons can be time-consuming and finicky.  Learn more… OOH LA LA Garland The OOH LA LA garland  is a playful and flirtatious French expression used to convey surprise, admiration, or excitement.  This garland comes in gold and silver and can be strung up.  For our ballerina party we displayed the Ooh la la garland  on the mantel.  In retrospect I think it would have looked even better strung up to hang at the top ⅓ of the mirror. Learn more… Ballerina Party Decor: Fabric Inspiration As part of dance and ballet is the movement captured both by the dancer and the fabrics in motion.  We wanted to incorporate the look of a ballerina’s tulle tutu in our party decor.   The fabric effect  is carried through the party decor in the cascading light blue backdrop, tulle pom pom chair backs, tulle pom poms added to the ballerina garlands, and an adorable party dress for the birthday girl! Light Blue Table Linens The cotton candy effect of light blue and pinks together is a beautiful color combination. The light blue offers a striking contrast that allows the pink and florals to shine.  This light blue table cloth is very economical and has a great weight that can be reused for other occasions and parties in the future. Learn more… Blue Iridescent Fabric Inspired Backdrop You’ll love how easy this is to use as a backdrop and the price.  This is an iridescent tablecloth from Walmart for under $3 each when I purchased them and includes two pieces: the color paper and iridescent sheet.  We used two of these tablecloths, repurposed from previous parties, as the backdrop for our dessert buffet.  The tablecloth itself will come with many wrinkles from folding creases in the packaging which is not a problem since you will use the iridescent sheet to drape over the colored sheet.  This tablecloth comes in two options: blue or pink.  Whichever option you choose would look great for the background.  The iridescent layer helps to create folds and movement like the fabrics of the beautiful ballerina costumes.  For this look we used two sets of tablecloth and for the backdrop. Learn more… Portable T Backdrop Stand This is a

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Thanksgiving tablescape

New York City Christmas Kids Books

Christmas in New York City New York City is a renowned destination for holiday cheer. The city is adorned with dazzling lights and elaborate decorations that create a magical atmosphere!  The holiday season kicks off with the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, featuring spectacular floats, giant balloons, and Broadway performances. The festive spirit continues across the city with numerous Christmas markets, ice skating rinks, and elaborate department store window displays. Central Park is a picturesque landscape  for winter activities, while landmarks like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and the holiday windows of Fifth Avenue have become must-see attractions.   Some of the Christmas time traditions in New York are over 100 years old and have become long standing holiday traditions.  With the 1874 display of  R. H. Macy’s “grand illumination” of 14th Street and Sixth Avenue,  spurring the beautiful tradition of Christmas storefronts in New York City.  During the Great Depression, the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, first assembled  in 1931 to celebrate Christmas time.   Pair Your New York Christmas Storytime with Christmas Movies Featuring Christmas in New York The enchanting scenery of New York City all in lights for the holiday season has become part of many families’ holiday movie lineup!   Home Alone 2: Lost in New York and Elf are two holiday film classics that showcase the magic and charm of New York City during the holiday season!  These holiday films would be the perfect compliment to a storytime with kids books featuring New York City!   As you  follow along young Kevin McCallister in “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York,” and his adventure in the Big Apple and some of the city’s most  iconic landmarks: Central Park, the Plaza Hotel, towering skyscrapers and rows of brownstones, the film beautifully showcases New York’s festive atmosphere, adding a touch of magic and excitement to his Christmas adventure.   In “Elf,” Buddy the Elf spreads Christmas cheer throughout New York City!  The scenes are set against the dazzling lights of Times Square, beautifully decorated Gimbels department store, Central Park, and the festive buzz of NYC streets. The city’s festive backdrop creates a delightful and whimsical Christmas experience.  These movies not only provide holiday entertainment but also offer a wonderful glimpse into how New York City transforms into a destination of Christmas buzz and excitement.  Kids Books: Tools for World Exploration As a Mom of two I love changing out the books for my kids seasonally and throughout the year with holidays, family celebrations, and in the Mountains with the change of the seasons.  Books are an easy way to introduce my children, who are still a little too young to travel, to the world.     As a passionate traveler, I find immense joy in introducing my two kids to the wonders of the world through books. Each story becomes a gateway to new places, cultures, and adventures, sparking their imaginations and broadening their horizons. From the bustling streets of far-off cities to the serene landscapes of distant lands, these books serve as a bridge, allowing them to explore the world from the comfort of our home. Sharing these literary journeys with them not only fuels their curiosity but also cultivates a sense of wonder and appreciation for the diverse world around us. It’s a beautiful way to inspire their sense of adventure and love for travel, one page at a time.   As a family, we love using our credit card bonus dollars to build our kids’ libraries with a special focus on fun and engaging travel books. Each book we choose is a new adventure, transporting them to far-off places and diverse cultures without ever leaving home. From illustrated tales of iconic destinations to captivating stories about different customs and landmarks, these books spark their curiosity and ignite their imaginations. By investing in their personal library, we’re not only creating a collection of wonderful stories but also nurturing their sense of wonder and excitement about the world. It’s a meaningful way to ignite a curiosity of other cultures and passion for travel, ensuring our kids have opportunities to explore and dream through the pages of their new favorite books. New York City Christmas Kids Books: 13 Books to Add to Your Holiday Storytime Line-Up Here are 13 New York City Christmas Kids book recommendations that you will want to add to your children’s holiday storytime line-up.  These are books we love to use for storytime during the holidays and that are kid approved!  And just for fun we have them in order of our family favorites, with our top favorite at number one:    1. Red & LuLu by Mat Tavares Red and Lulu written and illustrated by Matt Tavares is our favorite New York City Christmas kids book and with good reason, this heartwarming children’s story beautifully captures the spirit of Christmas through a charming story and artistic illustrations of New York City. The story focuses on the tale of Red, a cardinal, and Lulu, his beloved wife, who live together in a cozy Norway Spruce out in the suburbs.   When the tree is selected to feature in New York City’s Rockefeller Center, Lulu is suddenly separated from Red.  Red embarks on a desperate journey to New York City to find her. As he flies over the city, he witnesses the vibrant Christmas decorations, iconic landmarks, and festive lights that make New York so iconic and magical during the holiday season.  The story culminates with a heartwarming reunion under the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.  Red and Lulu is a wonderful book to read with children during the holidays and is a celebration of Christmas in New York City! Learn more… 2. Christmas in New York (pop-up) by Chuck Fisher Even though “Christmas in New York” was published in 1998 this beautiful pop-up book by Chuck Fisher is worth tracking down a copy.  This captivating pop-up book incorporates intricate and dynamic pop-up scenes of the city’s most iconic Christmas attractions and celebrations in a way that’s both

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Fall Kids books

The Best Fall Kids Books

This blog post is all about the Best Fall Books for Kids.   Fall is such a wonderful time for kids to explore the magic of the season through books!  As the leaves change colors and the air grows crisp, there’s a special charm in stories that celebrate harvest, traditions, and the beauty of nature’s transformation.  As a Mom of two I love changing out the books for my kids seasonally and throughout the year with holidays, family celebrations, and in the Mountains to celebrate the change of seasons.  Autumn in the mountains is certainly spectacular!  We love getting to watch each of the seasons’ change and each has its own unique beauty.  There is something very magical about the cool crisp mornings of Fall, the tapestry of Fall colors woven across the mountainscape, and during Fall the sun starts to set earlier making stories at bedtime extra special.  This blog post highlights the Best Fall Kids Books.   Curating Your Child’s Library As a Mom, I take great joy in selecting books for my children to build their libraries.  We prioritize finding special books as gifts for holidays, birthdays, and fun themes for our children to explore.  We love to use our credit card reward dollars to build our kids’ libraries with a special focus on fun and engaging seasonal and travel books. Each book we choose is a new adventure, transporting them to far-off places and diverse cultures without ever leaving home. From illustrated tales of iconic destinations to captivating stories about different customs and landmarks, we love to use books to spark their curiosity and ignite their imaginations. By investing in our children’s library, we’re not only creating a collection of wonderful stories but also nurturing their sense of wonder and excitement about the world. It’s a meaningful way to combine our passion for travel and learning to ensure our kids have endless opportunities to explore and dream through the pages of their favorite books. The Best 16 Fall Kids Books There is nothing like Carolina in the Fall!  The mountains light-up with a kaleidoscope of stunning colors of rust, orange, yellow, red, and brown and there is a natural excitement about the bursts of fall colors.  This excitement is carried over into our family ritual of storytime.  We select fall kids books that celebrate nature, faith, and creativity.  Here are the 16 Best Fall Kids Books to get your child excited about the magic of fall: Fall Kids Books that Celebrate Nature One More Acorn by Don Freeman This book has a beautiful origin story.  From the beloved author of “Corduroy,” “One More Acorn” was posthumous published, in 2010.  Don Freeman died in 1978, his son, Roy, inherited his father’s work and discovered the original story and artwork, set in Washington, D.C., about a squirrel gathering nuts for the winter. The project was unfinished, so Roy partnered with his father, thirty years after his death, to bring this story to life. “One More Acorn” by Don Freeman captures the essence of fall through the eyes of a charming squirrel. The squirrel’s quest to find one more, perfect acorn, taking him on a delightful journey through the beautiful autumn landscape of Washington, D.C. Learn more… Earl the Squirrel by Don Freeman Another classic by Don Freeman.  Even though this one was published in 1962, “Earl the Squirrel“ has an adorable story and has charming illustrations.  The story revolves around Earl, a spirited and adventurous squirrel who lives in a large oak tree and is constantly seeking new adventures and finding creative solutions to problems. Learn more… Fletcher and the Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson and Tiphanie Beeke “Fletcher and the Falling Leaves” by Julia Rawlinson, is a delightful Fall kids book that beautifully captures the essence of autumn through the experiences of a charming fox named Fletcher.  Fletcher is deeply concerned when he notices that the leaves are falling from his favorite tree. Fletcher loves his tree and its vibrant green leaves that adorn it, so when the leaves start to turn colors and drop to the ground, he becomes worried that something might be wrong.  Through the story Fletcher tries to understand what is happening, he seeks reassurance from his friends and attempts various ways to save the leaves. Through his journey, Fletcher and children learn about the natural process of autumn and the change of seasons. Learn more… The Fox Went Out On a Chilly Night by Peter Spier “Need I say more it’s the Caldecott Honor Book from 1962!  The beautifully detailed illustrations are stunning and perfectly captures the New England countryside during the peak of Autumn.  “The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night” by Peter Spier is a classic children’s book that brings to life a traditional folk song, “The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night.” It follows the adventures of a clever fox who sets out on a chilly night to find food. The fox is on a quest to steal some chickens from a nearby farm.  Learn more… A Farm Prepares for Winter Sleep Tight Farm by Eugenie Doyle “Sleep Tight Farm: A Farm Prepares for Winter” by Eugenie Doyle, is a charming and educational story that explains the process of a farm preparing during autumn for the winter season. Published in 2012, this book is celebrated for its warm narrative and beautiful illustrations.  Each part of the story depicts a different aspect of farm life, from harvesting crops, gathering firewood, to caring for animals, storing supplies, and all of the preparations that are essential for the farm’s survival during the winter. Learn more… The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger Fall is certainly all about change and “The Little Yellow Leaf” by Carin Berger celebrates change and bravery.  The story centers around a little yellow leaf at the peak of Fall that is hesitant to let go of its branch. As the wind begins to blow and the other leaves fall to the ground, the little yellow

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Keepsake Gift Ideas for Kids

Keepsake Gift Ideas for Children

This post is all about Keepsake Gift Ideas!  Being a parent involves continually adapting to change. Every few months, Moms find themselves swapping out their child’s clothes, just as they’ve grown accustomed to seeing a particular shirt in the drawer; it’s time for change!  Alongside physical growth, children’s interests evolve, leading to changes in toys, books, and room decor. As a Mom, I crave meaningful gifts that will hold enduring value, foster fond memories, and develop a sense of deep affection when my children reflect on these keepsake gifts in the future. While change is inevitable, choosing lasting gifts keepsake gifts  for your children can be testaments to their fond memories of their childhood many years from now!  This article is all about Keepsake Gift Ideas for your children.   This post is all about Keepsake Gift Ideas!  Being a parent involves continually adapting to change. Every few months, Moms find themselves swapping out their child’s clothes, just as they’ve grown accustomed to seeing a particular shirt in the drawer; it’s time for change!  Alongside physical growth, children’s interests evolve, leading to changes in toys, books, and room decor. As a Mom, I crave meaningful gifts that will hold enduring value, foster fond memories, and develop a sense of deep affection when my children reflect on these keepsake gifts in the future. While change is inevitable, choosing lasting gifts keepsake gifts  for your children can be testaments to their fond memories of their childhood many years from now!  This article is all about Keepsake Gift Ideas for your children.   Memories and Milestones: Keepsake gifts help capture precious moments and milestones in a child’s life, preserving memories that can be cherished for years to come. Whether it’s a baby’s first footprint or a child’s handwritten note, these items evoke nostalgia and allow families to reminisce about special times when your child is growing up. Family Heritage and Tradition: Keepsake gifts often carry family history and tradition. They can be passed down through generations, serving as a tangible link to the past and reinforcing familial bonds. These gifts can become heirlooms, connecting children to their roots and heritage.  In our family we have garments that were mine when I was a little girl that I love watching my own daughter wear.  My husband and I have saved toys from our childhood and delight in sharing them with both of our children.   Emotional Connection and Bonding: Giving and receiving keepsake gifts fosters emotional connections between gift-givers and recipients. These gifts are often imbued with love, thoughtfulness, and sentimentality, strengthening the bond between family members and loved ones. Celebrating Milestones and Achievements: Keepsake gifts often commemorate significant milestones and achievements in a child’s life, such as birthdays, graduations, or religious ceremonies. They serve as tangible representations of these important events and can be cherished as symbols of accomplishment. Encouraging Reflection and Gratitude: Keepsake gifts encourage reflection on the passage of time and the importance of gratitude. They remind both children and adults to appreciate the moments and people that shape their lives, fostering a sense of gratitude and mindfulness.  Keepsake gifts are not just material possessions; they are investments in memories. By choosing a keepsake gift with long-term value, you’re investing in the child’s future nostalgia. These items become touchstones for reminiscing about childhood experiences and milestones.  Keepsake gifts encourage reflection on the passage of time and the journey of life. As children grow older, they can look back on these gifts and gain perspective on their personal growth and development. Later on in life these keepsake gifts will serve as reminders for children of how far they’ve come and the experiences that have shaped them. Generational Connections: Keepsake gifts often have the power to connect generations. A gift passed down from a parent or grandparent carries with it the stories and memories of previous generations. As the child grows older, these connections to family history become increasingly important, fostering a sense of identity and belonging.  Keepsake gifts contribute to the continuity of family traditions. They serve as tangible reminders of shared values and experiences passed down through generations. As children grow into adults, they may continue these traditions by passing on keepsake gifts to their own children, thereby perpetuating a sense of family continuity.   Keepsake gifts are laden with symbolism and sentimentality. They represent more than just the object itself; they symbolize love, care, and the bonds between family members. As the child matures, these symbolic meanings deepen, reinforcing the emotional significance of the gift. Choosing keepsake gifts for children with long-term value and significance involves recognizing the enduring impact these gifts will have on the child’s life as they grow older. By selecting gifts that transcend material value and hold deep emotional meaning, you’re providing the child with enduring treasures that will enrich their journey through life and contribute to the tapestry of family history. 31 Life-Changing Keepsake Gift Ideas Treasured mementos crafted with utmost care and thoughtfulness await your child in the form of keepsake gifts. Each piece is imbued with personalized touches, meticulously handmade with love. As a devoted parent to two, I make it a yearly tradition to hand make a bespoke item for each of my children. There’s an indescribable joy that fills my heart when they unwrap these handcrafted treasures, knowing they are receiving not just a gift, but a piece of my affection and dedication. Seeking out these hand crafted creations isn’t just a preference—it’s a quest for gifts that resonate with sincerity and heartfelt sentiment, echoing a tender moment in time and hold sentimental value. Here I’ve broken up the resource guide with Keepsake Gift Ideas for Baby and Keepsake Gift Ideas for Children. These recommendations are items I’ve purchased and have enjoyed as a family. And I provide any helpful tips along with each keepsake gift. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases Keepsake Gift Ideas for Baby Personalized Keepsake Gifts for Baby Create a baby keepsake box is such a special

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