Happy Birthday Molly

Today my sweet little Molly turned five years old. It's hard to believe quite frankly. We decided to have her party on her actual birthday and Molly was very specific that she wanted a "Tangled" Rapunzel birthday party. This year was the first year that she had a specific idea in mind of what she wanted... so I tried everything I could to exceed those expectations.

While I was surfing the net looking for Tangled party ideas, she saw a cake that looked Rapunzel's tower. She absolutely squealed for joy and announced that THIS was the cake she wanted. Oh great. I've always wanted to try a fancy cake, so why not? Right? Sigh.... So, we started prepping the cake a week before and Molly helped me bake the actual cakes. Then we froze them for decorating later.


A week later, it was time to assemble them. I was scared out of my mind because I had NEVER worked with fondant before. However, having children had made me a professional with Play Doh so I figured I was up for the challenge. I also just happened to have an amazing friend (Nina) who is a professional patisserie chef, and she offered some help with the decorating. She was a LIFESAVER! Especially after I botched my buttercream frosting!


Between myself, Nina and Steve (who was in charge of the heavy construction), we did it! And I seriously can not tell you how excited Molly was when she saw her special cake!


I also made a lot of the decorations before hand. I sewed 36 feet of flag bunting in the colors from the Tangled movie. I also made hair clips as favors for all the girls, that went with sidewalk chalk and paints (like Rapunzel's craft supplies).


We also decorated with paper lanterns and had the kids paint the lanterns as one of the activities. Molly really wanted to release lit paper lanterns for her party, but I was pretty sure that lit candles in flying lanterns, small children, and the high summer fire danger was a bad combination.


We also did face painting, which the kids LOVED. I don't know what it is about kids and face paint, but it's always a hit. Special thanks to my friends Jen and Emily who did all the painting!


The kids also played a rousing game of "Pin the Nose on Flynn Rider". Steve made an awesome poster on the computer and printed out large for the party. It was fabulous!


The presents (as always) were a hit... but the favorite gifts were definitely her new fish tank from Nani and Papa, and the Rapunzel dress from Aunt Nancy and Uncle Fred. She put that dress on and wore it the rest of the day.


We made a special cake for her to "blow out" because I was pretty sure that we wouldn't be able to put a candle in the Rapunzel tower safely. It was WAY easier to put fondant on a mini-cake... let me tell you.


Where was Garrett and Paige during all this? They spent most of their time stuck to Mommy and Daddy until people started clearing out. And a yummy snack always tends to keep them happy!


It was a fabulous day, and the best reward was having Molly constantly tell us "Thank you for the wonderful party! I love it!". She went to bed one happy little girl. And we will be going to bed two tired, but satisfied, parents.