It’s that time again — we’re only two weeks ago from Ella’s tenth birthday and I’m sharing a few of my favorite parties from the past. For her sixth birthday, she requested a cowgirl themed cookout and boy did we deliver! Like many previous years, we celebrated at my parents’ house, because they have a fabulous backyard where we regularly have a “campfire” in the fall. Ella told us she didn’t want to help decorate or see anything ahead of time, so this party started the tradition of a party decor surprise. I always make other arrangements for the girls on party day and we do the entire set up outside of their presence. Seeing them look at everything and get excited in the moments before their guests arrive is one of my favorite things ever!
I painted this chalkboard to welcome our guests and we had a basket full of straw cowboy hats and colored bandannas. Our guests were already dressed with a western theme in mind, but these added details were so adorable! We topped the cupcakes with plastic cacti (which I LOVED) and for Ella’s cupcake we added a big sparkly number six candle.
Little details like tiny cowgirl boots holding silverware are my specialty. I love finding new ways to repurpose things that work well for our theme. Between me and my mom, we had lots of western themed items that worked perfectly for party containers.
On the food table, we served hot dogs and queso dip from slow cookers, along with tortilla chips and all the fixin’s for s’mores.
Ella was inside during all of the party prep, but the face she made when she walked down the porch steps was priceless! Also, notice the adorable back porch and sunroom that will soon be mine. Okay, but how adorable is six year old Ella?! She assured me that ALL cowgirls showed their bellies, so we went with it. I can’t even look at these pictures without remembering how funny that was at the time.
My grandfather drove his tractor down and hitched a trailer for the kids to go on a hayride. This is a family party staple — we’ve all had a hayride for our birthdays at one point or another. My parents have almost ten acres, so it was a pretty fun ride!
How adorable are my tiny girls?! I can’t believe we’re weeks away from double-digits. Hold me.
Check out all the party photos here.
