A Practically Perfect Mary Poppins Birthday

When my kids are little, and don’t care much about birthdays, I let my imagination go on the theme.

Admittedly, it wasn’t until baby number five came along that I even put a ton of effort into the first birthday. That kid was a preemie and I wanted to rent out the freaking convention center when he hit the O-N-E mark.

For Gianna, there was so much healing and so much joy that I couldn’t help myself. One afternoon, I was scrolling through Pinterest and saw the infamous, “Let’s go fly a kite” quote from the movie, Mary Poppins. Bingo. Or, rather, spit spot. Boy did I have fun pinning.

A theme was born. And really, we all think Gianna is practically perfect anyway.

Her birthday was largely low-key. Her Godfather was cramming for priestly finals. Ordination is in four short weeks and one grandmother had just been in town for Clare’s First Communion. So, we had my parents over and the Godmother and her family and just chilled for a few hours.

It was quite lovely. Enjoy the details. Hope you squeal as much as I did.

Who doesn’t love Bert? Those chimney sweeps were a huge hit. Just marshmallows on a lollipop stick, dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with black sugar. I used unsweetened chocolate, but I think they might be a bit sweeter with the sweetened kind. That “1” was just cocktail umbrellas, spraypainted black, and pushed into foam core. The ruler washi tape around those white frames juuuust might be my absolute favorite part. If you don’t have an IKEA near you, phone a friend. Those frames have become my go-to party item. You might remember seeing them gussied up for First Communion or plain jane at the Relaxing Spa Birthday.

Can we just admire the handiwork of those cookies for a moment?

I’ll wait.

As delicious as they look, too.

Umbrellas were made with Babybel cheese (Gianna’s new favorite!) and black bendy straws. The jell-o clouds were super simple. Jell-o, whipped cream and black umbrellas.

But, my favorite?

The spoon fulls of sugar! That would be a little cookie butter, dipped in sweetened baker’s chocolate and sprinkled with large crystal sugar. I let them sit out for about an hour and then froze them for 15 minutes. I’m still sneaking some out of the freezer. Shhhh, don’t tell the kids.

Then, there were those cupcakes. Also known as delicious.

That table, in all it’s glory. What I love most is that DIY banner. John Paul was the mastermind behind it. I am SO bad with math and he figured out how to cut triangles from squares. While he cut and measured, I traced the letters, he glued them on and then we hung it up. He was so proud of that sign. I think I just found a new party helper.

The favors were super simple since they were really for my kids and the Godmother’s sweet children. I neglected to take a photo of the inside, but I just tied sidewalk chalk I purchased from Amazon in cellophane bags and tied with twine. I popped it in a sack, affixed the “Thanks for Poppin over” label and called it done. Super easy and always functional.

The outfit. I know. Those baby Toms kill. Thanks Zulily!

As for that smash cake. We were just sure Gianna would love it.

Um, that’s a no.

Well, at least she looked cute before diving in!

I’d say she’s pretty loved, wouldn’t you?

If I left anything out you want to know, post it in the comments!

For more parties, click on over Parties page. I think this makes 48  kid birthdays – and counting.

Vendor Credits
Cookies/Smash Cake/Cupcakes: Polkadots
Mary Poppins Art: Collective Creation
Printables: Me!
White Frames: IKEA
Ruler washi tape: Amazon
Black parasols/White Sixtlets: Party City
Table: Style Co. Events
Red Stand: Pottery Barn
Black Stand: Amazon
Ribbon/Grey straws: Michael’s
Black straws (for umbrellas): Amazon
Wooden spoons: Amazon
Plastic milk bottles: The TomKat Studio
Carpet bag: My sweet neighbor!
Practically Perfect tee: Happily Ever Tees