Welsand's in London

Sophia's 3rd Birthday Party!

I can't believe that Sophia is almost 3 already! Since she had only mini celebrations last year with family and her friend Eva, we decided this year to have a proper birthday party in London for Sophia. My sister and niece were going to be in town in early March so we decided to hold the party on Saturday, March 3rd, just a bit earlier than Sophie's actual birth date of March 19, so they could attend as well.

I started planning the party in December so I could get the venue and entertainment I wanted, and also so I could purchase supplies while in the states over the holidays. We hired a hall, where she goes to Nursery school actually, to be able to invite more than one child to her party as our flat is really small.

I hired an entertainer for the party. Sophia loves going to shows, plays, puppets, etc. so we thought she would most enjoy a puppet show for her birthday. I hired Pekko's Puppets to put on an hour and 15 minute show. The gentleman has been in the business for 25+ years and sounded like he could handle about 15-20 three year old children. Sophie's most favorite stuffed animal is a frog prince she has named Tad given to her by her Auntie Jill a long time ago. So I went with that as the theme, pink and green colors, frogs on lily pads for name tags, frogs galore in the party bags, and of course the final puppet show was a version of the frog prince story.

Jeremy and I bought Sophie a special dress for her party, which one of her friends saw in her closet and said it was a dress that she could get married to a prince in, which at first upset Sophie, but then she liked the idea and after that has called it her "married" dress. When I ask her who she will marry of course the response, "a prince!" She has been begging to wear this dress every day since we brought it home, finally she got to wear the special party/married dress!

With some help from my friend Tracy and her fantastic nanny Vicki, I was able to get the hall set-up in under an hour. I think it turned out quite nicely. Tracy also found the cake for me from Costco for 10 pounds and it had a princess and frog on it--fantastic! Saved me from having to slave over making cupcakes for days on end, which was my original plan. The food for the party was simple, homemade. Just jelly sandwiches, grapes, carrots, raisins, organic biscuits, juice and water. The cake was a huge hit with the kids, especially Sophie! Chocolate, with a raspberry filling and nice sweet, sugary icing!

There were 15 children who attended the party. The show was interesting, amazingly it held the children's attention extremely well! And, over an hour at that! Overall, Sophie had a great time and it seemed like the children who attended did as well. When we got back to the flat she said to Jeremy and me, "I am very pleased with my birthday party. I had fun!" That says it all!

Thanks to all who attended and for the fabulous gifts, Sophie loved everything she received!

To view all the photos from Sophia's party please visit our photo site at Shutterfly.

posted by Chris @ 9:56 AM