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When Amelia turned 6, I took nine of her friends to a trampoline park because we thought it would be a fun experience for the kids.

NEVER AGAIN.

The kids had a good time but it was nearly impossible to keep the group together, and it became a constant exercise in head-counting. I wondered which child I’d end up losing before the parents came back. Last year, when Amelia turned seven, we had a home party.  This was definitely more my speed, and had more of a community feel to it.  We had a drop-off party, but parents were invited to come back a little early to have cake.

We’re already thinking ahead to Amelia’s 8th birthday, and another home party. It’s well established that I’m no Pinterest Mom, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t want to look like Mother of the Year. Imagine my excitement when I was approached by some local Halifax businesses to promote and try out some services geared at parents like me! 

Glee Tribe is a Halifax-based business that provides all the supplies to set up sleepover tents and mattresses for kids.  Because I host a French Club for Amelia and eight of her buddies, I had asked to check out the Paris theme.  Everything looked amazing and the kids had a blast playing in the tents!  Diana, Glee Tribe’s owner, gives the option to do self-setup, or the host can pay to have Glee Tribe set everything up.  Glee Tribe has theme options for both girls and boys.

There are so many things I love about this idea.  First of all, the party comes to me.  I love shopping, but not crafty-type birthday shopping.  Second, there is zero waste.  So many people load up on cheap, disposable birthday decorations that end up in the landfill; not so with Glee Tribe: everything is high quality and is rented out many times over (kids bring their own pillows for sanitary reasons).  Third, everything is so very pretty!

Don’t get me wrong: I have no intention to actually host a sleepover for Amelia’s friends (that sounds like a living nightmare), but I love sleepover-themed parties, and they seem to be a big hit among her friends.

Moving on to the cake. I make a mean chocolate cake (not to toot my own horn, but toot, toot!). Unfortunately, Amelia prefers vanilla cakes.  Last year, I purchased a cake for the kids and made one for the adults.  

When it comes to purchasing a cake, all cakes are not created equal.  You would be shocked at the list of items that don’t even resemble food in a big-box store cake or a store-store-bought cake mix. Read the ingredients; you might never eat one again.  Glee Tribe has partnered with two outstanding local bakers who bake their cakes from scratch, using only the ingredients you would expect to see in a cake (and can also make accommodations for things like allergies or vegan requests!).  Take a look at how beautiful these products are:

@mighty.sweets:

(Please note that @mighty.sweets also made the beautiful paper flowers in our photos, which are available for purchase).

@cake.beyond:

 

Birthday parties make me think of an expression my grandfather used to use: “You made me happy twice: happy to see you come, and happy to see you go.”  Haha!  When it’s time to say goodbye to your pint-sized guests, I love what @miss_beans_coutoure  has to offer as potential party favours (headbands, hair ties and bracelets). Amelia especially loved the Paris-themed headband!  I love when something practical yet pretty is offered as a party favour!  

 

Finally, this post is in conjunction with my Ultimate Party Giveaway, which also includes a 45 minute sleep consultation with @lindsywissleep – because you may still have sleep issues with your birthday girl/boy, and you may as well nip those in the bud before the big day!  We used a sleep consultant with Ewan and it was an invaluable service (I could write a whole blog post on that!). Let’s just say I have been sleeping through the night since working with a sleep consultant!

  

I really don’t get rattled about party planning, because I know the kids will have fun just being together. Every once in a while, though, it’s nice to elevate the event with a little fanciness, and I love that these local businesses have come together to give my desired Paris theme a certain “je ne sais quoi!”