Giggles & Gumdrops Turns 1!

Giggles & Gumdrops is having a birthday!  The charming consignment boutique located in Downtown Lowell, MI is celebrating it's first year of business on Saturday, April 23rd.  There will be a treats table designed by yours truly, along with games and prizes for the kids and surprise discounts for the shoppers.

Giggles first year has been one of growth.  Positive response in the Lowell community and great consignors has allowed owner Melissa Freeman to expand into the teen and women's market as well.  You can find excellent used condition brand name clothing, new and used  baby toys and equipment, as well as boutique items made by local vendors (Yup, you can find my hair bows there too).

Not to get too ahead of myself, but Melissa and I have been talking about having a series of monthly events throughout the summer hosted by Princess Prettys and Parties.  Parents can sign up their children for the one-hour events individually or in small groups.  Each event will have a theme, with craft projects, stories, games and snacks.  What do you think?  Would you like to see some events scheduled for the summer?  What themes (of the ones that Princess Prettys and Parties offer) would you like to participate in?

Spring Soccer!

Back in high school (which is longer back than I care to recall), I used to be a center mid-fielder on my soccer team.  It was a lot of fun, and I ended up being the captain and got all-conference my Senior year.  I played in pick up games and some 3 on 3 tournaments for a few years, but I gradually stopped playing. 

Fast forward 12 years later (oops, I told you!), and I got asked by a fellow preschool mom if I happened to play.  She was on a local Rec team and wanted to know if I wanted to join.  Heck yeah!  I was in an exercise rut, and I was sick of not doing anything outside of work and family. 

I am so happy that she asked me (thanks Mandy!).  I played that summer, and then went on to play on a couple indoor teams, one of them a competitive women's league.  It is so much fun, and I have been able to get my husband and kids involved as well.  Last Fall my oldest played on a Rec team that I coached.  This Spring, both of my girls are old enough to be on a team.  My husband is coaching the 5-6 team with my youngest, and I am coaching the 7-8 team with my older daughter.  My husband is joining a co-ed league with me for the summer.

This coming Monday is the first day of practice, and I am already thinking ahead to the end of season party that I plan to throw.  LOL  To give me some inspiration, I have googled soccer parties to death.  These are some parties with awesome ideas and decor.  Enjoy!

Amy of Giggleberry Creations put together an awesome soccer themed party for her son's 2nd birthday.  I love the use of the ref's jersey throughout the entire party, and the scoreboard backdrop is so unique.  Check out her entire post(s) at her blog: Giggleberry Creations   .

This party was done by Julie Gallagher from In Good Company and was featured on Kara's Party Ideas.  I think that the netting backdrop is an awesome touch on a sophisicated looking take on the soccer theme.  Best part about this party?  Julie gave Kara's readers all the printables, from invites to placecards to cupcake wrappers FREE!  Click on the Kara's Party Ideas link above to go to the correct link to download.   

Getting Ready to Roller Skate!

It is Spring Break week here in Michigan, and of course the weather is lovely.  Rain, dreary gray skies, cold wind....fun times.  Having two girls bouncing off the walls at home is not going to cut it.  So tommorrow we are heading out to their first ever trip to the roller skating rink.  When I was growing up, there was at least one school or church sponsored outing to the skating rink a month.  It was the thing to do on the weekends.  While skating rinks aren't as popular anymore, I do think that they are making a comeback with moms and kids looking for some old-fashioned, low-tech fun.

For your viewing pleasure, I found some great party entries online.  This cool photo collage is from the blog One Haute Kid.  This blogger shows that you can turn the (normally tacky) roller rink into a cute themed party area.  Check out her post HERE. 

This little cutie has her very own roller skate shirt!  I love the personalized shirts trend that is going on in the party world.  The bloggers at Urban Daisies featured a roller skating party back in February.  April and Jenny put together a great party and shared the elements of the decor.  Check out their blog post HERE.  They have a cute blog with lots of creative finds and ideas.  I had to become a new follower. 

Wish me luck tommorrow - I will be strapping on my skates for the first time in 20 years!

Rent-a-Princess Packages

Rent-a-Princess

from Princess Prettys and Parties

Upgrade any Package - $50

Princess Appearance Only - $80

Princess Appearances Include:

• A One Hour Appearance by the Princess
• A Royal Birthday Declaration by the Princess
• A Storytelling Session by the Princess or
  Have the Princess Join in on Birthday Activities
• Photo Opportunities with each Party Guest
• A Keepsake Frame for the Birthday Child

Princesses Available:

• Cinderella
• Sleeping Beauty
• Yellow Beauty
• Snow White
• Rapunzel
• More to Come Soon!

Interested in Having a Princess at Your Party?

Use the Contact Us Form on our Facebook Page

or visit http://www.princessprettys.com/ to get more info or reserve a date.

Can You Say Slumber Party?

In February, my oldest daughter had her first "official" sleepover party.  She is a second grader and 7 years old.  While she had slept over at Grandma and Grandpa's house, she had not slept over at a friends.  She was a bit nervous, as was I, but we talked in advance about finding out where the bathroom was if she had to get up and go in the night, and to let the mom know if you needed anything.  It was a neighbor's house, so she did know that if she couldn't make it, we were literally around the corner from her.  She ended up doing just fine, and actually slept in longer than any of the other girls!   

I am curious to know when your children had their first sleepover, and did it go well?

Slumber parties are a girls' rite of passage.  At some time or another, your tween will ask to host a sleepover for a party.  Here are some ideas for you (And if you don't want to deal with it, know that Princess Prettys and Parties hosts a "Night Owl Pajama Party" package)!  Here are some of the crafts that we offer at our pajama parties.

Crafts

1.  Decorate a Pillowcase - This is a great activity that doubles as a take-home favor.  Buy white or light-colored pillowcases and lots of fabric markers.  Yes, you could use paint, or iron-on transfers, but this is time consuming and messy.  Plus, the girls could not use them that night, and where is the fun in that?  After the girls are done, just throw the cases in the dryer on medium heat for 20 minutes to set the markers.  Then the girls can use them that night if they wish!  Princess Prettys uses blank pillowcases, but I have even seen pillowcases that have designs on them, ready to color in and decorate.  (Source) 

2. Create Your Own Journal - Girls this age are just starting to get into the journal thing.  Whether it is used as a diary, a place to doodle, or write stories or poetry, girls will get a kick out of decorating there own journal.  Buy blank journals, and then offer a variety of craft accents to decorate the front and back.  This can be as simple as markers only.  Princess Prettys offers everything from ribbons, flowers, markers, glitter pens, and more.  It is fun to see the girls get creative!

                                                                                 {Photo Source}

These craft activities are only a few of the options for our Night Owl Pajama Party.  If you would like to learn more, please visit http://www.princessprettys.com/ or contact Corey at geboraco@princessprettys.com.