Ally’s 6th Birthday | Mary Poppins Tea Party!
My sweet daughter Ally turned six last month. I say it every year, but I can’t believe she’s already another year older. Time really does fly. To celebrate her special day, we threw a Mary Poppins Tea Party at the Woodland Park Zoo Vintage Carousel.
Seattle was taken by snowstorm the entire week before her party, literally dumping snow night after night. Each morning I’d wake up hoping the snow was gone, but nope, it’d still there. The day before the party I decided I just had to go for it and pray the weatherman was really going to be right when he said it would melt by Saturday.
Lo and behold the weatherman was right for a change! The snow was melted, and Jesus even granted us a few rays of sunshine as we unpacked the car and loaded the party into the zoo. As I’m sure most of you have party people have experienced, most venues don’t allow much time for set up. The Woodland Park Zoo was one of them. It was almost a deal breaker when I recieved the zoo contract reading that you are given a half hour to set up. Yikes! So with only 30 minutes to decorate the room and tea party table, my girlfriend Nazra and I had to move fast! (Thank you Naz!)
I hadn’t planned on doing a dessert table for such a small party, but I couldn’t help it, it’s what I do. Instead of a giant cake like I’ve done in the past for my children’s birthdays, I made Ally six small cakes in different colors and textures. This was really fun to do. Of course 15 people couldn’t eat six cakes, so guests were sent home with bakery boxes filled with treats and cake! Out of all the fun desserts, my favorite had to be the spoonful of sugar cake pops!
My friend Elaine, seamstress extraordinaire, made Ally a Mary Poppins Jolly Holiday dress to wear to her party. I am literally in awe every time I ask Elaine to sew something because not only does she do it, she does it beyond my wildest dreams. I emailed her a photo, not a pattern, not instructions, nothing but a simple photo from the internet of Mary Poppin’s dress. She whipped the dress up without a hinge and little Ally looked practically perfect as Mary Poppins.
The little girls absolutely loved the party. They sipped apple juice “tea”, nibbled on way too much sugar, played musical chairs to Mary Poppins songs, balanced tea cups on their heads, rode the carousel, and fed the penguins. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect party. And to top it off, my girlfriend Molly of Molly Vaden Photography captured every detail and smile of the day.
It was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
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Amazing !!! I love all your parties 🙂 You are super creative 🙂
I love this Jenny! The most gorgeous birthday party! You’re very inspiring 🙂
Wow!!! What a wonderful mom you are- such fantastic memories for your kids! I just ran across your website and would give anything to come to one of your classes but alas, ny is just a little too far away 🙁
utterly adorable….now just wondering if at the grand age of 40 i’m too old for a mary poppin’s party myself
xx
Hi this is just divine. The colours – the treats – the styling… all beautiful!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! Your parties are amazing.
Super Cute! What do the labels on the sidewalk chalk say? Such a great party favor!
wow…that is fantastic…what a wonderful and creative birthday party idea…i just love it…i am sure everyone had a “jolly” time 🙂
Just saw your party on Kara’s Party ideas. I love it. I’m a huge fan of Marry Poppins and the details and desserts here are stunning. You did a beautiful job and the girls look so happy and sweet.
I saw your party over on Kara’s Party ideas and just had to tell you how much I love this idea! You did such a marvelous job bringing Mary Poppins to life! I especially liked the sugar sticks with the labels “Practically perfect in every way”– super cute!
LOVE this! You always do such an amazing job! I’m always excited when you come out with new stuff.
Too cute. I would love to have a Mary Poppins birthday!
Geez, love everything! How much would your friend charge to make another dress LOL????!
unbelievable. I love everything about this party!!! Practically perfect in every way is an understatement…
What a great job! Wondering if your friend would make another costume and what she would charge??? 🙂
This is an incredible party! Thank you for the inspiration. My daughter has requested a Mary poppins 3rd birthday and this is by far the most beautiful one I’ve seen!
I thought kids parties were elaborate back in my day but this is a whole new level. Well done! Just lovely!
Adorable! How did you tie those chairs?