Nine years?!  I cannot believe I have a 9 year old.  Well, an almost 9 year old.  Her birthday is April 18th.  With there being a 2 week Easter break and the fact that we will be away on her special day, we celebrated early with 6 of her friends.

This girl has turned into quite the planner!  She had her party all planned out by early February!  She did some looking online and found a website that advertised spa parties.  It looked like so much fun, but I knew it would be expensive.  And surely it was.  A party for 6 girls would cost £300 ($498).  I cannot imagine people spending that much on a party!!  I've pulled off a theme party before so I was up for the challenge.

I found a cute invite on pinterest and was so happy with how it turned out.

We found recipes for making chocolate lip gloss to give with the party bags.  I found someone on ebay that had spa party bags all made up with spa essentials at a fantastic price!

I forgot to take photos of the party bags, oops!  Think clear bag with zebra stripes, pink tissue paper  inside stuffed with goodies like nail file, nail polish varnish, lotion, toe separator, etc.

We set up 3 stations.  One for nails, one for facials and another for make up.

Karis with her chocolate facial.

Reegan relaxing with some cucumbers on her eyes.



The whole gang.

 Glow in the dark nails.

Make up

We played pass the parcel, a game typically played at parties.  A gift is passed while music is playing.  The person who has the present when the music stops, gets to unwrap a layer of the present.  Another thing that we've typically seen here is that presents are given, but not opened in front of the guests.  I understand this one, it really makes sense.  However, Karis was excited to see what she got and asked all her friends before the party if it was ok to open the presents at the party.  They all agreed and had fun seeing all her presents.

The sweetest gift of all?  A handmade card decorated and signed by each of her friends.  So precious!

Then it was cake time!!  At most parties in England, "Happy Birthday" is sung, candles are blown out and a slice of cake is given in the party bags!!



No, no, no!  How can you not have cake at the birthday party?!?!  We can't, obviously!  It's one of the best parts of the party!!  And my kids almost never eat that slice of party bag cake later anyway!

It was a great party!  Fairly simple, packed with lots to keep them busy.

Now I think I want my own spa party!!

Did you have theme parties as a kid?   Or do you throw theme parties for your kids??

What was before us was plain to see, an enchanting world all made from trees.....

  

Have you ever been den building in the forest?!

Linking up with Travel Tuesday.

All different kinds of bicycles.





Come for a visit and we'd be happy to show you around!

 A sweet little town with a quaint pond at the end of the main street.

I loved this door with a big key!

Beautiful stuff!!