Hi everybody! I’m Emily Southerland, and I am so excited to be the newest contributor to Bombshell Bling! Sarah and I became close friends when her husband was in medical school and we went to church together. She watched my kiddo one day a week so that I could focus on my photography business, and when I would come to pick him up we couldn’t stop ourselves from gabbing for hours. Our boys are kindred spirits, and so are we! I am a creative mama, photographer, and Jamberry junkie. Come visit my photography site and blog sometime at Emily Southerland Photography! And if you like pretty nails, then let me help you discover the fabulous Jamberry nail wraps!
Sarah asked me to share some of the fabulous birthday parties that I have put together for kiddos over the years, and I thought that I would start off with my little boy’s Superhero Birthday Party. This one is from when my son turned four and was head-over-heels for anything superhero-related. And since I only give my kids a birthday party every other year, I let myself go all-out when we do have a party. For this one, my goal was:
1. Keep it a general, universal superhero birthday party theme so it is more timeless.
2. Have amazing take-away party favors the kids can use for years to come.
3. Keep the number of guests low and the food SIMPLE.
This party ended up being SO VERY MUCH FUN to put together. From the food to the capes I made for the kiddos, to the cityscape photo set, to just seeing all the kiddos run around and BE SUPER, it was everything I hoped for this kiddo of mine on his 4th birthday.
So without further ado, here are the photos from our fun, super day.
Super Snacks:
Super Cake:
Super POPCORN (With fruit loops added– a last minute stroke of genius!)
Super streamers (and an extra clean dining room- wow!)
My super kiddo:
The superhero supplies– (each kiddo’s favorite color and initial):
The super photo set-up, with the birthday boy:
A few of his super guests— plus one of my daughter, Super Lucy (of course she gets her own cape!):
(I kept the kid count to 8 including Noah, so that we could send the parents away and still be able to keep the crowd control. It was PERFECT! Once each child arrived, I handed them their cape and mask and immediately took them aside to have a photo taken. Then I let them loose back in the party room.)
We served lunch— simple fare that kids would eat: One plate of PB&J and one place of cheese sandwiches. Each kid got a bottled water and a popcorn cone, and could grab snacks from the buffet.
And for seating? Well, the FLOOR, of course! (It was actually good that we sent parents away– less people to feed and less chairs needed. Ha!)
A couple of photos of super Lucy and her daddy, and a couple with me. (I am trying to remember to get in FRONT of the camera, if only during milestone events like this.)
Gifty time… Everything he got was so perfect and thoughtful for him— Lucky kiddo, to have such sweet friends!
Cake time:
And then, best part: Freeplay time in the back yard. Thank HEAVEN for perfect days in November. We were able to run around outside a LOT! Their favorite activity? Knocking down the tower of “skyscrapers”. Super strength and all that! I literally did not plan complicated games and activities. The kids just ran around acting “super”, we had some races, and they just had FUN. Easy!!
And an “after” pic of the cake I made— Super layers and all! If nothing else, my two favorite things to go all-out for on parties are the favors and then making and decorating a great cake. The rest can be skipped or skimped on, but I love those two aspects of birthday parties the most.
This is just one white cake mix halved and dyed red and blue, then one yellow cake mix with a little extra yellow food coloring added, halved into two layers. Then my mom’s buttercream frosting recipe in between layers and on top, and freebie printables on skewers as the decorations on top. Really an inexpensive little project that visually packed a punch!
This party was exactly what I hoped it would be— incredibly fun for Noah, a chance for him to be in “pretend” mode 100% with other kids… A celebration of everything he is… a chance for my friends, the other parents, to get some time sans kids… A chance to make these cute kids something they will hopefully wear again and again for their own playtimes… An excuse to make pretty cake… Twice the party to make up for last year….
It was perfect. And though the next year was a no-party year (and a nice break), it gives me time to save up new ideas and new energy for a good, big effort like this every other year or so. But I’ll probably always find an excuse to concoct a big, tall, gooey, yummy cake, even on the “off years”.
A few credits:
1. Comic book bunting: free Marvel comics covers available to print from Marvel.com
2. “Hero Juice” free printable label from “Oh Happy Day”, Jordan Ferney
3. Cake topper printables from Onecharmingparty.com
4. Popcorn cone idea from Pinterest
6. Cake idea from Pinterest
7. Snack label idea from Pinterest
8. Cape pattern and design – all my own
Latest posts by Emily Southerland (see all)
- Just a Little Fairy Tea Party - July 8, 2015
- Try a Summer Chore Jar! - June 29, 2015
- A SuperHero Birthday Party - June 17, 2015
My son’s third birthday is in August and he is obsessed with super heroes. I have been trying to ask what superhero he wants for his birthday, but he changes by the day. I might go more generic superhero like this! So many great ideas and I’m sure the party was awesome! Did you make your own invites or order them from somewhere? I need to get on making those soon.
Hi, Stacey!
I made my invitations, using a digital scrapbooking kit and Photoshop. (The kit I used doesn’t seem to be available anymore, but this is similar to what I used– https://www.etsy.com/listing/226798592/superhero-digital-scrapbooking-kit-just?ref=shop_home_feat_2 ) If you don’t want to mess with doing it yourself, I bet you could commission someone from Etsy to design one for you! Have fun and good luck!
Like this on Etsy— $20, and they send you the file to print yourself. SO CUTE! https://www.etsy.com/listing/175494613/superhero-invitation-vintage-superhero?ref=shop_home_active_1
What a super fun party! Pinning now. Thanks for sharing at the This Is How We Roll Link Party on Organized 31.
WOWZA! What a fun party! I bet the kids had a fantastic time. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – we’re looking forward to what you have to share next week. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Awesome party! What a lucky little boy.
What a fun party! Everything is so darn cute. My little guy would love this. Thanks so much for sharing at Throwback Thursday.
This is just such a fun fun fun idea! I love it all and I bet the kids had a blast!! Thanks for sharing with us at Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
This looks like he had a wonderful party. I like how simple the decorations are, but yet they provide a powerful layout.
Thank you for sharing on the #HomeMattersParty. We hope to see you again when we open our doors at 12 AM EST on Friday.