milestone 5 - ava's matryoshka birthday party

Ava's birthday party... oh my, where to begin? Turning 5 is one thing, and celebrating this milestone birthday is another. The theme was an easy decision - while having coffee with my sister, I shared with her my worry that I didn't want a party that looked like Disney had thrown up all over it... and while sipping - I realized that another longtime passion of Ava's is matryoshka dolls!

She's been collecting these since she was 2 - and loves to nest, name, and play with every set she has. I mentioned this to Ava, and she jumped up and down with excitement. When we talked about her cake, she asked for polka dots. So my mission was clear - matryoshkas and polka dots.

Since invitations had to be sent out early in December, World Market coincidentally sold matryoshka holiday cards. The fact that they read "Happy Holidays" was timely... and that it unfolded 5 growing dolls - resembling Ava and her birthday year - had me sold.



And you could just imagine my own sheer of excitement when I stumbled upon Lolah Pop Vintage Baby who made a polka dotted dress with its very own matryoshka doll! I ordered one right away in her size and it arrived a week before the party. 

Then more luck rained - polka dotted, matryoshka doll favor boxes by Fantastic Toys... nested in a set of 5! Problem was... between Aaron and I, it took us more than 14 hours to fold and assemble. In the end... they were worth it! It still makes me smile to know how perfectly fitting her dress and the favor boxes turned out for her party. The adult favors were cupcakes from Sprinkles - dressed up in their own brown boxes with matryoshka doll key chains from World Market.

Since most of the activity was going to be in the family room, I set up a table of sweets. Colorful cones filled with goldfish and pretzels, candy canes, lollipops, and yummy pink and white sugar coated animal crackers...

Our favorite accessory here is the one we added right before the party - Ava's birthday gift. On Etsy, I found the very talented Amy Perrotti, a graphic designer who designs a beautiful worldly collection of matryoshkas. After exchanging a couple of emails, she designed an Afghan matryoshka doll and had it shipped to us just in time for her big day! The Afghan matryoshka is now apart of her collection.



I hung paper lanterns that looked like polka dots floating in the air over the dining table, and a few more matryoshka ornaments on the chandelier. For lunch, we had catered Ava and Noah's all-time favorite dish, Pasta Milano, from Macaroni and Grill and added a fruit and Mediterranean tray from Central Market. I also whipped up a batch of vegan soup for a heartier (and healthier) alternative.

As friends and family arrived, the children played a few rounds of musical chairs...

Then it was time for the cake! Thank you Mom for making it exactly the way Ava wanted it - homemade. A layer of vanilla, a layer of chocolate... and butter cream icing with polka dots!

We all sang happy birthday Ava, and I couldn't help myself. I knew I would - and I did. Inside and out, I cried... she really is 5 now... and I couldn't be more happier than this very moment.

Right after we snapped some family photos with the birthday girl, the door bell rang... and Cinderella arrived! I know, I know - Cinderella? What was encouraging about this decision, was that she is a real person dressed up for the land of fairy tales - which is what Ava is really into these days. It's is the pages from her Disney treasury book I have issues with... So, I welcomed this energetic hour of make-believe. Giving Ava something real and tangible to relate to...

Ava was surprised, excited, and in awe of the next hour...

She swooned us with magic tricks, making a real live dove appear from her bag, and then...

Noah was very excited at the party, and very much felt like it was his too.

After Cinderella left, Aaron brought out the one and only purchased Disney Princess feature - a castle pinata - to beat up on {I'm smiling}...

As the party started to wind down, Ava asked to play some of the games we left out for the kids... like sack races and a bean bag toss {which Aaron so thoughtfully covered the night before at 2am with sketches of matryoshka dolls}.

A few of Ava's cousins stayed after wards for a clean up party - and Noah fell asleep in my arms. Exhausted, yet filled with so much energy from the day's events - this was truly a memorable day for us all.

When Ava woke up the next morning in a bed full of balloons, she said, "Mom. I'm 5 years old. I'm going to school!" and then jumped up and down...

School??? I'm just barely accepting the idea that it's 2011. And whether I'm ready or not for Ava to start school in the fall - doesn't matter. But what does is what we do together leading up to it.

Being a mom feels like I've jumped on a wild roller coaster. There are lots of turns - lots of loops - and every second takes my breath away. And with the passing of each birthday celebration, I am jolted into remembering to hang on even tighter.

Happy birthday my sweet Ava... Yes, you are a mighty-five year old now. And your Dad and I are ever so proud, and ever so amazed by the brightness you bring to us all. I am taking your lead and will hold up both of my arms up in the air to enjoy this ride with you...

{View the complete slide show of the party here}

A sincere thank you to Aunt Wagma, Uncle Dave and Aunt Corbin for taking these pictures that we will always treasure!