Ella's Beanie Boo Birthday Party!

Today we wrapped up Ella's 8th birthday celebrations with her Beanie Boo-themed party with her friends. Since I hosted this same kind of themed birthday party for Lia six years ago, I was able to reuse almost everything from decorations to craft supplies to game ideas.  As a result,  I only had to spend a few hours preparing for it in comparison to Lia's party where I had to make everything from scratch which was such a blessing for me.  All of Ella's little friends showed up today at 2 p.m. and, for the next  two hours, Ron and Lia helped me lead them in a few activities, crafts, and games before we watched Ella open her gifts and blow out her birthday candles before the girls enjoyed eating cake and ice cream.  Although rain was in the forecast for the afternoon, it held off long enough to allow the girls to play outside for the last few minutes of the party before their parents picked them.  Ella had such a great time being with her friends and was just bursting with excitement and happiness throughout the entire party.  It was so fun to watch her having such a great time and being the center of attention for a few hours.  Happy Birthday, Ella! 

Ella standing on the porch next to the the Beanie Boo wreath I made six years ago and the "Welcome" sign she drew on our white board a few days ago.

A close-up of our darling, birthday girl.

Our kitchen table all decked out and ready to go in the colors of turquoise, pink, and lavender with lots and lots of polka dots.

A close-up of the main table.  My mom helped me sew little, polka dot pillows for all of the girls' stuffed animals to sit on using the leftover fabric and stuffing that I still had from Lia's birthday party all these years later.

The Beanie Boo cake that I made for the party that was an exact duplicate of Lia's cake.

The Beanie Boo themed "Happy Birthday" banner on the fireplace.

As the girls arrived, we had them color Beanie Boo pictures around a table in the family room.  Here is the group coloring together.

Ella and her two friends from church, Amelia and Madelyn, coloring their pictures.

After everyone arrived, we had the girls do two different crafts--beading necklaces and decorating party hats for their stuffed animals.

A group picture of all the girls with their stuffies all dressed up for the party.

After craft time, Lia led the girls in a few rounds of Beanie Boo Bingo.

Ella and her good friend, Ainsley, waiting for Lia to call the next Beanie Boo name to look for on their cards.

We then had the girls play three rounds of drop the little Beanie Boo in the glass jar.  Here is Ella's best friend and next door neighbor, Poppy, dropping the Beanie Boo while standing on the floor.

After having the girls do the same thing while standing on a small stool, we moved them up to a taller stool for the final round.  Here is Ella getting ready to drop the Beanie Boo from the highest level.

Lastly, we played several rounds of "Hot Beanie Boo" (instead of "Hot Potato").  

Ella passing the little stuffed animal to her school friend, Elif.

After the games, Ella finally had the chance to open up her gifts.  She received many wonderful presents that were perfect for her!  Here she is showing off the two, elephant-shaped Pop Its from Ainsley.  Since elephants are Ella's favorite animal, Ainsley gave her several different elephant gifts that Ella loved!

Since Ella doesn't own any Squishmallow stuffed animals, she was thrilled two get two different ones from two of her friends.  Here is Ella hugging the bunny Squishmallow from her other best friend, Elise.

Ella showing off the awesome jewelry making kit from her friend, Amelia.

Ella hugging the massive, fish Squishmallow from her friend, Audrina, who has been in the same preschool, Kindergarten, and 2nd grade class with her.

Ella and Poppy posing together with the incredible Disney castle sign that Poppy's dad cut out of metal for Ella right before the party started!  It is so amazing and looks so professional!

After Ella was done opening gifts, the girls were finally able to sit around the table to sing "Happy Birthday" to Ella and eat cake and ice cream.  Here is Ella standing next to her cake with the candles all lit.

Ella enjoying her cake with all of her friends at her side.

Audrina, Amelia, and Poppy eating away.

Genesis, Aubrielle, Elise, and Elif at the end of the table.

Ainsley and Madelyn.

One last group shot of all of the girls eating dessert before the party ended.