we had a party

"Put lace on anything, and voila, it's fancy!"

When it came to a theme for Hannah's fourth birthday, it didn't take too much thought. In fact, we had it decided in July before Joe's accident. We were going to celebrate Hannah's fourth birthday with a Fancy Nancy soiree. She loves the books; we read at least one most every night. And besides, Hannah pretty much is Fancy Nancy. So we planned and got excited and - with lots of help from my mom - hosted 20+ fancy little girls at the house for a birthday party for our sweet Hannah.

{I had to remove the original hi-res invitation file because someone actually found it online, copied it and stole the image, and now is selling it through their Etsy store. Thanks to the designer who did Hannah's invitation, Pixel Parade, for notifying me!}

We had to make everything fancy.

We found printables on Etsy (same person who made the invitation) for some of the signs and my talented sister-in-law, Crystal, did the others. I gathered some ideas from various blogs and Pinterest and that, coupled with my own wandering, imaginative mind trying to see through the eyes of my daughter, set into action.

I loved how the cake turned out. We have an incredibly talented "cake lady" here. She did both Joe's 40th and Joseph's 1st birthday cakes. I told her I wanted "ruffles" and sent her a couple pictures, and she produced the dress from the original Fancy Nancy book. Hannah picked out the ribbon I used to make the garland over the mirror. Hannah had a hand in a lot of the planning and decorating. It was the anticipation that she couldn't handle!

I hung a garland of pictures of Hannah being fancy, framed others, and filled glass vases with beads. The dining room was for accessorizing. I made plume pens, a la Nancy, for favors.

When the girls arrived, they went to the playroom to decorate sunglasses. "Bedazzle your posh shades" the sign read.

I covered the mantel with some Fancy Nancy books and Hannah's things.

Before lunch, I read the book. Not everyone knew about Fancy Nancy and we had to rectify that! Then came time to turn the playroom into The King's Crown (Nancy's favorite pizza place). But it couldn't be plain; we had to make it fancy of course. So we had the girls set their places complete with paper doilies and small framed placecards. The girls loved it!

The frames went home with them, too.

Obviously, they ate pizza.

After lunch, I told the girls they would be having a fashion show, so it was time to get fancy! They headed to the dining room to put on blush and lipstick, boas, beads, etc. and sign Hannah's Fancy Nancy book.

Aunt Crystal and Aunt Angie helped out and the girls were soon ready.

The beads and rings also were theirs to take home.

We went outside for a run-through.

Daddy was the emcee, toy microphone and all.

Then it was time!

First up: the birthday girl!

Hannah wore a dress made just for her by a sweet friend, Mrs. Tammie: purple with tiny white dots, ruffles, and an orange sash just like Nancy's...and just like the cake. I wrapped her legs in orange ribbon, gave her a pair of orange fairy wings and a pink parasol, and made a dollar-store tiara as tacky as possible. Fancy Hannah.

My brothers held up a balloon and paper chain arch for the girls to walk under. The moms were out in the front yard, cameras and phones in hand.

Ta-da! The girls were fabulous!

Back inside to sing Happy Birthday.

Uncle Will Will gave her a lift so she could blow out her candles. One of my favorite pictures. 

Cake was served and the girls made their own parfaits (that's French for icecream sundaes).

It was a fun time. The birthday girl with her adoring family:

She helped choose our outfits.

Meme, party planning partner extraordinaire:

Uncle Ben and Uncle Will Will were a big help.

Fancy family.

Each girl left with a tote bag, plume pen, boa, candy necklace and lipstick, and the things they collected through the party. I wanted to put the girls' names on the bags and so designed luggage tags, so they would have a favor they could use. My mom and Crystal helped make it a reality. The tags (first and last names are on the backs) can go on luggage, backpacks, dance bags, wherever they want.  I had all the bags hanging from a sequined ribbon in the foyer where no one would miss it upon leaving!

I don't think this will be a party Hannah will soon forget. It was worth all the planning and work that went into it. We had such a great time!

She will also be 10 before there's another one of these. With all the big celebrations we've had in the last couple of years, it will be a while. At least until Joseph is four!


PS - the photos were taken by our friend, Adrienne, and by Crystal. Thank goodness for them. I was busy with the girls the whole time and wanted to enjoy the party with my fancy girl. Very thankful for that...and thankful to all who made it special.