tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680930126064420893.post9145829864467986561..comments2023-12-27T08:30:42.686-06:00Comments on The Art of Family: milestone 5 - ava's matryoshka birthday partyThe Art of Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09111418013726721703noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680930126064420893.post-56692063993802254232011-03-16T20:44:12.936-05:002011-03-16T20:44:12.936-05:00LOL! Saralee! Thanks so much for all the love and ...LOL! Saralee! Thanks so much for all the love and kind words. We also wish you were close and be a part of these moments. Did I really forget to tell you about Cinderella's appearance? Oh my. Well - next year, will you dress up as one and come? lol! <br /><br />I know in my heart you're right about believing in what makes a "real princess" - I simply believe Disney on the other hand, has a different image/perspective on that. Unfortunately, their sparkly movies and Disney memorabilia all point to stories with being saved by a "hero" - which quite frankly - isn't a great lesson. I mean, c'mon. Ariel leaves home, lies to her father, disobeys him - all to pursue a human! The nerve... <br /><br />I on the other hand, am trying to instill all those values you listed - because I couldn't agree with you more. I'm just competing with the mainstream - and it ain't easy. Ava had 2 failed attempts in asking Noah to marry her. She believed she could only be a "princess" if she was married. So what I say - goes in one ear - and out the other. <br /><br />I have a feeling we'll be revisiting this over and over and over again. Or actually, praying over and over again - that this is just a phase... <br /><br />Love you!The Art of Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09111418013726721703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680930126064420893.post-69339753500515744612011-03-16T20:32:59.761-05:002011-03-16T20:32:59.761-05:00Ha Ha Ha! I won! Ava got her princess. You forg...Ha Ha Ha! I won! Ava got her princess. You forgot to mention that detail to me. Fellow Princesses must stick together. I love the decorations and your wonderful imagination to create a wonderful party. Only wish I lived near by to attend my babies' parties.<br /><br />Just because a girl believes in princess/prince story does not mean that they will go up believing that she has to rely on a man to be happy.How we teach our girls to believe in themselves, to become strong, and to reach for the stars on our own two feet is how girls become the woman of the world. As I remember, Aaron brings his "Princess" a latte everyday just because he loves you.He's your Prince in many small ways. Yet, you are one of the most strong, independent, and stubborn.... I mean.....wonderful woman I know. he he he he he he he<br /><br />Give my fellow princess Ava a big hug and kiss for me! Miss and love you all.<br /><br />SaraleeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680930126064420893.post-63000168942273863622011-01-19T16:33:29.366-06:002011-01-19T16:33:29.366-06:00Like 99% of the time when there is something desig...Like 99% of the time when there is something design related, Zarlacht gets to take all the credit. She did an absolutely amazing job down to every last little detail. God forbid it was up to me to attempt to plan something like this... I can't even begin to imagine how 'different' it would be.<br /><br />I think everything turned out perfect... Even starting decorating 2 full days in advance yielded 2 near all-nighters back to back leading up to the party. Thank goodness for caffeine and good company. Even though i was delirious the night we had to cut/fold/assemble all the Matryoshka dolls, it was fun.<br /><br />I am looking forward to Noah's 4th.Aaronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06230074106249783617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680930126064420893.post-83047638372563833672011-01-19T15:47:21.877-06:002011-01-19T15:47:21.877-06:00Ava's party was absolutely beautiful and the t...Ava's party was absolutely beautiful and the theme was adorable! All the details, Ava's dress, the custom print, it was all just perfect! I know that it's difficult to grasp that Ava is 5, but know that you and Aaron have raised a compassionate, intelligent and precious little girl and her love for you and your love for her will only grow as the years pass. Thank you so much for including Dave & me, we had such a fun time catching up and seeing everyone. We love you all so very much!Corbinhttp://www.soulboxproductions.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680930126064420893.post-52739828482696938242011-01-16T23:02:11.043-06:002011-01-16T23:02:11.043-06:00Thanks so much Ana - yep, those are party favors. ...Thanks so much Ana - yep, those are party favors. Filled with small toys from Party City (Rubik cube, bounce ball, flute, rings, bubbles, and fun dip! They also took a matryoshka bag home filled with pinata candy. <br /><br />Amy! Thanks for visiting our site and the comment - I can't thank you enough for the exquisite print, and you're absolutely right! The Afghan dress fit in perfectly with the party theme - I couldn't have dreamed of anything better. I'm so glad to have found you! She now looks amazing hanging in Ava's room.<br /><br />Mom! I think we're all still in shock... and I'm slowly paddling this cloud I'm on towards the idea that her party is over, and its official. I know I keep saying this - but thank you, thank you for your constant support and love in helping us raise our children. I love you Mom! <br /><br />Lisa - you are too funny! I'm glad I'm not the only Mom out there boycotting Disney party ware :) I love your idea about creating an enchanted forest for the "fairies" - we're so fortunate that we can accommodate both what are kids want, and ourselves. I think this combination makes for stunning birthday parties! <br /><br />Thanks again for all your comments!<br /><br />Much love to you all - <br />ZarlachtThe Art of Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09111418013726721703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680930126064420893.post-40187662751413573902011-01-16T20:48:31.360-06:002011-01-16T20:48:31.360-06:00What a great party. We also love matryoshkas! An...What a great party. We also love matryoshkas! And I can totally relate about the not wanting to turn the party into a Disney theme everything. I tend to shy away from that kind of theme parties as well. Instead, like you, I work around it and find something they love. Like A's 2nd birthday, she wanted a Tinkerbell fairy party. So I turned our house into an enchanted forest and the only actual Tinkerbell item she got was a huge helium balloon her grandparents got her. Hehehe (love it).Lisa Renatahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10496988694571275714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680930126064420893.post-71002157741567978472011-01-15T14:10:45.582-06:002011-01-15T14:10:45.582-06:00beautiful beautiful beautiful party. I cant believ...beautiful beautiful beautiful party. I cant believe my princess turned 5! Zarlacht, the work you put into the party paid off, it was very talented and creative of you. We all had a great time and i wish her many many years to come like that day. Love you allNajia Atiqzoynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680930126064420893.post-31677250266482288722011-01-15T05:27:18.677-06:002011-01-15T05:27:18.677-06:00Yay Ava turning 5! The birthday party looked so FU...Yay Ava turning 5! The birthday party looked so FUN! Congrats, well done! I'm so glad the Afghan Matryoshka print arrived in time. Thank you again for contacting me and suggesting the Afghan Matryoshka illustration. I just noticed how the circle designs (representing mirrors) on the dress of the matryoshka illustration played into your polka dot theme. You are great with a theme! I love themes too! :)Amy Perrottihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11946804418017433711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680930126064420893.post-27625081204723619922011-01-15T00:30:26.237-06:002011-01-15T00:30:26.237-06:00i like the party favors (thats what they are i thi...i like the party favors (thats what they are i think), very creative. and beautiful dress, i might add, tooAnnaNovahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16880568292228393210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680930126064420893.post-90652358990995399142011-01-14T22:11:57.687-06:002011-01-14T22:11:57.687-06:00You're so funny Giozi - You mean facebook? Tha...You're so funny Giozi - You mean facebook? Thanks so much. You'd think matryoshka and polka dots would be difficult to design a party around - but it couldn't have turned out more perfectly! thank goodness for Etsy!The Art of Familyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09111418013726721703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6680930126064420893.post-8238713459929740902011-01-14T00:58:05.036-06:002011-01-14T00:58:05.036-06:00I love it !!! Her birthday look really fun. I love...I love it !!! Her birthday look really fun. I love this theme. I'm going to share this post in my face :)giozihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00760461831395533148noreply@blogger.com