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Sunday, November 7, 2010

Under the Sea Birthday Bash!

My little boy Jackson turned three last month and to celebrate I put together an Under the Sea party that I hope he won't soon forget. Since the beginning of time, Jack has loved everything that involves the water. In fact, his first birthday was a rubber ducky themed party since he loved bath time so much! I guess his obsession with ocean life was then a natural progression. : )

The Dessert Table doubled as the Party Favor Bar. I wanted to cut down on the amount of sweets at the party since my "clients" were only three ; ), so I did the favor bar in conjunction with the desserts. The kids took a bucket and were able to pick and choose prizes to take home. Since we live in Maryland, home of the blue crab, I obviously HAD to use a crab basket as a cake stand and centerpiece.


Cupcake Cookie Toppers by The Cookie Jar




"Shark Attack Snack Mix. Includes Sharks, Fish and Life Preservers. Don't swim too far from the shore!"



Cookies to match the Cupcake Toppers, also by The Cookie Jar!

Fresh Sushi







 Many of the children had a younger sibling that came to the party. A beanie baby and a book were for our youngest guests.

And then our Menu:





Sand Dollars, also known as Pop Chips.




Sparkling Octopus Ink


A re-purposed Halloween Trick or Treat bag from PBKids became our napkin & utensil holder

And of course, nothing better to wash your lunch down with than "Freshly Bottled Ocean Water"


The Party Space, Game & Craft:

Jelly Fish floating above the table.






 "GOLD FISH BAR: Take a box and make a mix, Sea creatures are the perfect hunger fix!"


The kids each made their own "mini" ocean to take home.






So there you have it, we all had fun and I am now the very proud Mommy of a THREE year old!! Oh my gosh, how is he three already??... Look out for A Super Jackson Saves The Day Party... in another 11 or so months. : )

All photographs courtesy of Destinee Thurston, Cellar Door Photography!






55 comments:

  1. Just incredibly outrageous! I wish I was a kid again ;) You have done a swimmingly good job! And a special thank you for choosing my cookies to be a part of your day. I hope everyone enjoyed them. I sure did! Thanks again and until next time!

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  2. truly one of the best put together under the sea parties I have ever seen! I love all the thought that you put into it - all the labels and decorations - the kids must have been blown away! Fantastic!

    hugs! Kim @ Party Frosting!
    party inspiration

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  3. Thank you! As I'm sure you all know, encouraging words mean the world when you're starting a business!

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  4. What an incredible party! I love the bushel basket! You are truly talented. Happy birthday to your little one!

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  5. beyond LOOOOOVE this party, you did an amazing job!

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  6. Here from PBD, excellent party!

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  7. I love your incredible attention to detail! The Octopops and cookie cupcake toppers were 2 of my faves :)

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  8. I love every detail about this party, especially the decorations, food and activities. One of the most creative and original Under the Sea parties that I've ever seen! I also became your newest follower. Can't wait to see what you come up with next. I would love for you to link it up to my link party http://phubie.blogspot.com/2010/11/sassy-photo-creations-giveaway.html.

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  9. Thank you! It's always rewarding to hear a nice word! : )

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  10. Wow - that party is amazing! The details are so great and I love that you took some simple things and altered them to fit your theme (like the paper jellyfish lanterns). It's fantastic!

    Visiting from My Insanity.

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  11. OK. AWESOME! I love the octopops and sea urchins! SO adorable!

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  12. Wow!!! Stopping over from my insanity and I have to say this is SO awesome!! Two questions: are the sharks/octopus/etc decals you bought somewhere or made? If you made the, how?!
    where did you find that treasure chest?!

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  13. Thank you! Sara- I purchased the decals on Etsy and the treasure chest is by Melissa and Doug. I bought it on clearance, but you can still find it if you google "Melissa and Doug treasure chest" under the shopping tab.

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  14. Wow! What an amazing party! Love the details like the octopops, sushi, and sea urchins! Tons of inspiration here, thanks for linking up!

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  15. the food is amazing! that watermelon! the octopus in a blanket! this is awesome!

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  16. Thanks Kendra and Sandi! I had a ton of fun putting it together. :)

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  17. I love your party! It looks great! I was wondering how you made the sushi? Is it a twinkie with a swedish fish in there?

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  18. Thanks, Lorraine! Yep, I just sliced the twinkies, stuck a Swedish fish in the cream & wrapped it with strips of green fruit roll-ups. Super easy!

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  19. Makes me want to take a trip to the ocean! I love themed foods and you did an amazing job!

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  20. Thank you! I get a kick out of a good themed food myself. :P

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  21. So awesome and I love all of the fun details. I got to throw a Fishy themed party for my oldest when she turned 3 and a Pirates and Mermaids Ocean themed party for my youngest when she turned 3 last year... both parties were a big hit with their friends and tons of fun to plan and have.
    I think every kid should have at least one nautical party before they turn 5!!! ; )

    Well done. So glad I found you through Kendra's blog.

    Fondly,
    pink and green mama,
    MaryLea

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  22. Hehe, I agree. My daugher who will be 2 next month, is just developing a big fascination. Thank you for the comment, I'm glad you found me too. : )

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  23. My daughter wants a sea party for her birthday in June & I'm loving all you have done here! You've given me lots of ideas. Well done!

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  24. What a sweet, sweet party. I had a hard time narrowing down my favs...but really those tootsie pop octopi (?) are just about awesome.

    Just Another Day in Paradise

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  25. My son also loves any under the sea - his birthday is in May. How did you make the fish sticks and the octopus in a blanket. I am definitely book marking this page! Thanks for sharing. Brilliant.

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  26. Thank you Jennifer, Larissa and Jennie Jones!! Under the Sea is so fun because the possibilities are endless, good luck with your parties!

    I bought the fish sticks from Whole Foods.. I don't remember the brand name off the top of my head, but they're in the freezer section.

    To make the Octopus in a blanket- Make enough cuts in a smokie so that there are 8 legs. (Cut only half way up so there is still enough smokie in tack for the "body".) Once all of your smokies have been cut, throw them in a pot of boiling water. This seperates their legs and gets them to curl a little so their legs look more like tentacles. Drain them, pat dry and wrap the body with small pieces of crescent rolls. Bake at 350 until the cresent rolls start to brown. (I assembled my octopus in a blanket on the cookie sheet I wanted to use the night before, covered it with foil and put it in the fridge. Then when it was party time all I had to do was put them in the oven (uncovered) for a few minutes and serve.)

    Here's a link with instructions for making an Octopus out of a hot dog, the idea is the same.. In case my instructions weren't clear.
    http://homecooking.about.com/od/beef/ss/hdoctopussbs.htm

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  27. I just love this Party :)

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  28. i really like this theme. i am in love with your creative ideas. i am planning my son's first birthday party and got a chance to really think out of the box by looking at your ideas. i just wanted to ask where did you get the red and blue buckets that have the sea animals on top????

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  29. Thanks, Brittany! That was a super sweet message to read. :) I bought the buckets in the Dollar Section at Target just around this time last year. Maybe they will re-introduce them after Easter...

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  30. Hi, I love your party! Amazing job. I am throwing an under-the-sea bash for my son's 4th birthday this summer. What is the game the kids were playing with the balloons all about?

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  31. Thanks, Jenny! The kids went fishing in the blow up pool... I used a cricut to cut out the shapes of different sea animals and attached a paper clip to them. Then tied a magnet to the end of a rod and the kids tried to catch the fish. The balloons were there to simulate water. I don't recommend using the balloons because the game was fairly difficult with them in the way.

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  32. WOW this is a great party. I found you on Pinterest and loved the entire party!

    Melissa

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  33. I think your party ideas were awesome. I bored some for my own son's under the sea themed birthday party recently!

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  34. Hey, thanks! Feel free to link it back, I would love to see!

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  35. Great party! Would you mind sharing the details of the "Goldfish Bar"? What all is on the table and what did the little signs say? I see goldfish, of course, and i think pretzels??? Having an "under the sea" party for my daughter soon and got so many great ideas from your post! Thank you for sharing such a great party!!

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  36. Thank you, Holly! The sign said, "Goldfish Bar: Take a box and make a mix. Sea creatures are the perfect hunger fix!" (I had little snack boxes that you can't see in the picture.) Then I just filled glass fish bowls w/ different goldfish cracker varieties. I believe I found the whale & shark crackers at Aldi. I labeled the pretzel sticks as "fishing poles". Thank you again for the kind words! I hope you have a fabulous time planning & celebrating!

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  37. I was curious to know what you did for the take home part of the ocean. I see sand, water, water bottle, and sea shells. Just curious to know what the kids do.

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  38. I am curious about the octopus lollipops. Did you make them or buy them? Do you think elementary school age kids could make them?

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  39. The ocean bottle craft also involved baby/mineral oil to make waves in the water. To be honest, I don't really remember the specifics now, but if you google "ocean water bottle craft" directions should come up. Just make sure you hot glue the lid on! You don't want a kid to open the bottle, or drink it! The Octo-Pops are definitely an easy project... But may be tricky for little hands? I just made them by covering the lollipop with fabric (you could also use tissue paper) and then wrapping the pipe cleaners on. Maybe if you try one, you'll know if the kids are capable of it or not? I hope I have helped! Thanks for stopping by!

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  40. Hi! Love it! Where did you purchase the pails and the fish lollipops?

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  41. Hi, love your party ideas! Can you share where you found the 'sea mammals'? I have yet to find any for a reasonable price.

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  42. Wow what a great party! I will be throwing a "beach" party for my son this month. I will def take some of your ideas. I will post his party soon enough. Hope you will take a look. Thank you

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  43. Awesome! I was wondering where did u get the sea urchins and pufferfish ans that inflatable whale? I'm all the way in Hawaii where we can't get much stuffs lol

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  44. Wow what a wonderful job you did. I use to do stuff like, but never to extreme. I didn't know there were types of sea urchins. I have the round ones with out all the spikes. Very cut idea you came up with, you are very creative.

    The best party I think I did was the haunted house.

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  45. These are great ideas! I am looking for stuff for my daughter's first birthday party.

    Oh, by the way, you put sharks in to the container marked "Sea Mammals." (They are fish!!!)

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  46. Really love the idea. I like sushi and cupcakes the most. Kids really have enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing.

    Kids Events Dubai UAE

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  47. This is my sister's favorite theme. It's sweet, colorful and just suits a kid's innocence. Glad to be exploring the net and found great under the sea party ideas like this. THis is going to be my niece's party theme next year. yehey <3 God bless always! I would love to pin some photos from this post hope it's find with you.

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  48. That’s a amazing theme Sea party. If you don’t mind can you please share the details, my son’s birthday also coming soon, I will do same on his birthday and suggest me best birthday party bar nyc .

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  49. There are quite a few elements you can plan for your child's first birthday.

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