Alyssa's 4th Birthday Party~Cinderella Theme

Preparations began the night before her birthday. I told the boys we were going to pretend they were going to bed, so Alyssa would go to bed. They did, and she fell asleep quickly. When they came out, we began blowing up balloons and putting up streamers for her to wake up to. To me, it isn't a celebration without balloons. The boys were so excited about their secret operation, and kept talking about how excited Alyssa would be in the morning to see what they'd done. I loved that. It was hilarious watching them--especially Matthew blow up the balloons with all their might. Bugging out their eyes and getting red in the face to put forth all their effort. I was just glad they were so willing because it meant I didn't have to do it:) I put together the goody bags (I was very pleased with the contents I found for it--see picture below) for the party and Michael hung the streamers. We also hung up 3 large Cinderella posters (life size). I wanted the boys to really be a part of her celebration, and they had a role to play at the party, too.

I made a cinderella cake, and though it wasn't perfection, Alyssa said she loved it and thats all that mattered to me. Throughout the party, we played out the Cinderella story. First, Michael ready the story to the girls. Then they took rags and pretended to clean as Cinderella did. Then there was a ring at the door the the "Grand Dukes" delivered a message that there would be a royal ball. Matthew and Tyler put on their tux shirts, and mostly Matthew yelled out the message from the door while Tyler waited in the wings. It was really cute. They were embarresed, but did it anyway. The girls then danced at the ball, played pass the wand, and made their own glass slippers (out of tin foil). We played pass the glass slipper to determine whose present Alyssa would open (musical chairs-esque).
It was lots of fun, and as always, glad when it was over:)