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Holidays, Motherhood · February 16, 2016

Harper’s Mermaid Inspired 4th Birthday Party

Thank you all so much for the sweet birthday wishes for our Harper girl!!! We had such a great weekend throwing her party & celebrating her birthday, we can’t believe our baby is four years old! She asked for a mermaid party, and we delivered, a little Under the Sea extravaganza went down on Saturday afternoon. We invited a few of her best little girlfriends, plus a few of our family & friends, and had a super fun time celebrating our girl!

I wanted a really fun, yet simple dessert display in the entry way to really bring to life the mermaid theme. Harper asked for lots of balloons & strawberry cake, so that is where I started. I thought a big bold balloon arch would be perfect, so I picked up a few different colors of balloons & Brandon and I got started blowing them all up after the kids went to bed Friday night. A true labor of love!! 🙂 Once they were all inflated, we attached a long piece of wire to the back of the small table I was using, and strung it up to two screws on the wall to give it shape. I used fishing line to attach a few of the first larger balloons, then filled the rest in just by taping them to the wire & to each other. I added a bit of greenery to give a little bit of a seaweed feel & love the way it turned out!!! We had gummy sharks & “seaweed” in candy jars, along with some mermaid tail cupcakes using sugar cones, these were my favorite! I purchased a set of cupcake toppers from Etsy (this could be a super easy DIY, but I always love supporting handmade shops & we are always pressed for time during bday planning) I used some the way they came, but the rest I cut the fins apart & hot glued them to new toothpicks, which were stuck into the ends of the sugar cones.
 I made a three layer strawberry cake, frosted with blue buttercream frosting, surrounded by graham cracker crumbs (sand!) and topped with a DINGLEHOPPER. Harper’s reaction was just priceless, “mom, is that a dinglehopper cake?!”

We also had “under the sea” punch, made from blue fruit punch, lemonade & sprite, white “shells” and cheese, and “starfish” sandwiches (chicken salad sandwiches cut into star shapes), along with chips & pineapple/mango salsa and a veggie tray.


I searched all over for the perfect outfit for Harper, I wanted it to be her birthday gift because I knew she would be so excited & want to wear it every day when she plays dress up. I found the most perfect mermaid outfits at Carken Designs, she was absolutely obsessed with it! I went with blush for the top & seafoam for the bottoms, you can also use coupon code MERMAIDLOVE for 15% off your purchase should you need one for your own little mermaid! Or maybe for yourself. 😉
We put together some simple little goodie bags for her girlfriends, I had some leftover kraft paper bags from Valentine’s Day & dressed them up with vintage mermaid stickers that I found on Etsy. Inside was some Pirates Booty, glow sticks, Little Mermaid party blowers, a mini hair bow & Ariel temporary tattoos, which were a big hit! 🙂
Her party was so much fun, she was smiling ear to ear the entire day & loved it all. As she opened each birthday gift, she handed out bracelets and play-doh to her friends, she loves to share & give to everyone else. And when she blew out her birthday candle, she promptly told us that her birthday wish was for “a date night to stay up late and watch movies with the whole family on the couch, even Ellie & Claire” which is especially sweet because she loves when she gets to stay up late after they go to bed. She has such a kind heart & loves her sisters so much, we couldn’t ask for more.
Happy birthday, Harper Eve. Our sweetest little darling who made us parents four years ago, we love you with all our hearts!
161

Posted By: Jessica Garvin · In: Holidays, Motherhood

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Comments

  1. Mrs. Socks says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Did you do invites & I missed it?! Or did you skip them?

    Reply
  2. Elizabeth Birenbaum says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Such a cute theme for a party! I LOVE the fact that you added a dinglehopper in the cake! Genius!

    Reply
  3. JSmith says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Your parties (and girls) are gorgeous and amazing! Thank you for sharing with us, and Happiest 4th to Harper!

    Reply
  4. Brandi Little says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    This is seriously SO cute! Great job, mama! <3
    xoxo, Brandi

    Reply
  5. Stacey G says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    I can only imagine how you feel, but I can't believe how grown up she looks!

    Reply
  6. Nicole says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    You're such a badass mom! Harper seems like such a DOLL. Happy birthday Harper!

    Reply
  7. Ashley says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Where did you find the number on the cupcake?? Absolutely adorable party!!

    Reply
  8. AnchorsandHoney says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Oh my gosh! It's ADORABLE!!

    Reply
  9. Meghan says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    What an adorable party! Little mermaid was my favorite movie growing up and now I want this party for my 32nd birthday!!!

    Reply
  10. Andrea Worley says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    what an adorable theme! and i love all the simple touches that make a BIG impact!

    Reply
  11. Sharon says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    This makes me so happy! I seriously love the party idea, and how sweet she is. Can't believe she's 4, I've been reading since you were pregnant with her. Hard to believe my little girl who is her age will be 4 soon too! They grow up too fast!

    Reply
  12. Emily says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Wow. This is spectacular!

    Reply
  13. Amanda says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Amazing party for a clearly deserving and tender-hearted little girl! Glad she loved it.

    Reply
  14. Jen says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    She looks just like you in the picture where she is wearing the mermaids outfit. What a fun party!

    Reply
  15. Anonymous says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Happy birthday harper! Your decorations turned out so beautiful!

    Reply
  16. Anonymous says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Wow!! What a lucky girl! Happiest birthday wishes, Harper! Your creativity just amazes me. You should be a party planner and an interior decorator, you know, in all your free time;) Gorgeous party!!

    Reply
  17. One and Done? says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Oh my goodness what a lovely birthday celebration! Looks like it was such a fantastic time! <3

    Reply
  18. Bree Gale says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    I love all of the details! Amazing job!

    Reply
  19. Paige says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    This is the best!!! I commented on IG too, but the dinglehopper- omg! Love it! The whole table is adorable! LBG does it again!!!

    Reply
  20. Jeannine says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Jessica – I can't believe I've been reading your blog for over 4 years now! My oldest girl turns 4 in August, so this may or may not have made me a bit teary 😉 The party looks like it was fantastic! You are awesome.

    Happy belated birthday, sweet Harper!

    Reply
  21. Jaycee Katie says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Um, can you plan this party for me please?! This is absolutely amazing! I love every little detail. And the dinglehopper cake–pure genius! Harper is a very special mermaid! Happy belated birthday sweet girl 🙂

    P.S. I need that mermaid sign for my house!

    Reply
  22. Teri O'Neil says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    OMG that is way too cute. I can't let my daughter see that adorable dress or she'll insist on one. Or maybe I'll just get it anyway and surprise her….

    http://www.shhmommysdrinking.com

    Reply
  23. Linley Noel says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    Love your creativity as always! I was looking at balloon arches on Pinterest for our little girl's birthday but was a little intimidated haha. You make it sound relatively easy though! Happy Birthday to your sweet girl! 🙂

    Reply
  24. Rachel Bakken says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    This is incredible! I love the way you love your girls. Such a good mama.

    Reply
  25. Stephanie Tobler says

    February 17, 2016 at 12:19 am

    I have been having the hardest time finding a mermaid outfit for E's mermaid party too! I finally settled on just making her something which turned out not being very mermaid-ish but *cross my fingers* that she likes it!! Love the party details! Happy Birthday Harper!!

    Reply
  26. Vanessa Esperanza says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    One of the cutest birthday party themes I have seen thus far! So creative, So cute!! xoxo
    Nessa's World

    Reply
  27. Sweet As Boys says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    Where did you find the "4" cupcake toppers? And yes, I would love to know if you made invites for these? What a BEAUTIFUL party!!!! I've been following your blog since before "Little Baby Garvin" was created. I guess all the way back in "The Nest" days! You've done amazing with all that you do 🙂

    Reply
  28. Stacey Walden says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    Adorable! And the Dinglehopper cake—genius!!!

    Reply
  29. Jenna says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    I really love this party! I love you had a theme but didn't go crazy with it. Everything was simple yet so fun! The fork in the cake is perfect!

    Reply
  30. Else says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    The look on Harpers face when you hold up the dress 🙂 Total happiness!

    Reply
  31. Ly says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    Dinglehopper cake. I can't. That's the most adorable thing I've seen this week! Beautiful party for a gorgeous girl! xx

    Reply
  32. Meegsy12 says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    Awww this post made me tear up! I'm a mummy to two little girls – 20 months old and 3 weeks old. So happy that Harper had such a wonderful day xo

    Reply
  33. Jenna says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    Such a beautiful party! We got the same sparkler candle for our 4 year old (feb 8th) and after spending a couple minutes getting it to light, it totally fizzled out by the time we finished singing and she had nothing to blow out! Oops!

    Reply
  34. natasha {schue love} says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    Beyond obsessed with the theme! It turned out beautifully…what little girl doesn't wish they were a mermaid?! So cute! xo

    Reply
  35. Kayla says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    I want that mermaid chalk board sign for my apartment! Adorable party!!

    Reply
  36. E Hayes says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    So cute, love the cupcakes and I can't get over what a mini Jessica Harper looks like, seriously, the cutest!

    Reply
  37. Ana P says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    This is so adorable! I love all the little details and she looks so happy 🙂

    Reply
  38. Anonymous says

    February 17, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    Been following since you announced your pregnancy with Harper. Such a creative being! Xo

    Reply
  39. Lisa says

    February 18, 2016 at 3:06 am

    I LOVE this theme! Her mermaid outfit is so cute!

    Reply
  40. Waiting on Martha says

    February 18, 2016 at 3:06 am

    Love the seaweed tucked into the balloon arch! Happy fourth to Harper, what a lucky little girl!
    xo

    Reply
  41. Caryn Switalla says

    February 18, 2016 at 3:06 am

    My husband just said — "No way, she's four!" I always read him your blogs, turns out he is listening! I hope once we finally have a baby that if it's a girl she loves mermaids cause I will copy everything! What a wonderful day you planned for her!! 🙂

    Reply
  42. Jama Maples says

    February 18, 2016 at 3:06 am

    The cutest birthday party ever! I want one for myself! 😉
    ourmapletree.com

    Reply
  43. Alycia says

    February 18, 2016 at 3:06 am

    what a great partY!

    Reply
  44. Emily S says

    February 18, 2016 at 3:06 am

    #MomGoals!

    Reply
  45. katie snead says

    February 19, 2016 at 1:24 am

    This is the BEST! Any little girl would FREAK over this party! Harper is one lucky 4 year old!!!!!! And happy anniversary of being her mama!

    Reply
  46. Samantha Heck says

    February 19, 2016 at 1:24 am

    Everything looks SO amazing!!! Happy Birthday Harper!

    Reply
  47. Allison Walls says

    February 19, 2016 at 7:04 pm

    Your party planning is the best and everything always turns out beautiful! Happy Birthday Harper. You are such a sweet girl and I have loved watching you grow!

    Reply
  48. Charmi Dee Dupree says

    February 19, 2016 at 7:04 pm

    Love everything about this!!! Wow.

    Reply
  49. Lexie Loo, Lily, Liam, and Dylan Too! says

    February 25, 2016 at 1:38 am

    Too cute! Happy Birthday, Harper!

    Reply
  50. Sweet As Boys says

    March 2, 2016 at 8:37 pm

    Also, do you have a "go-to" recipe for your cake and cupcake mixes along with the white shells and cheese?

    Reply
  51. Desiree J. says

    March 4, 2016 at 4:37 pm

    http://www.littletrendsetter.com/products/modern-mermaid-two-piece-set?variant=13309822340

    she NEEDS this <3

    Reply
  52. Margaret H says

    March 6, 2016 at 6:47 pm

    Will you be selling the mermaid chalkboard as a print anytime soon? It would be a perfect present for my best friend!

    Reply
  53. Margaret H says

    April 4, 2016 at 9:16 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    Reply
  54. Kristen says

    June 22, 2016 at 2:10 am

    Ok, this is WAY to much of a coincidence! My almost 3 year old wants a mermaid birthday party. She LOVES dress up, so I got her that same skirt and a white shirt that has mar maid shells ironed on as her present! She also said all she wants is a strawberry cake!! So funny, and so random that both our girls what the exact same thing! Glad I came across your page because I am needing decor inspiration!

    Reply
  55. Goon shopping says

    August 9, 2016 at 1:58 am

    Wow!! lovely decoration, your creativity is superb, i really enjoyed your article, thanks for share this lovely blog.
    Shop for the latest collection of Online Party Wear Gowns with best fabric and price.

    Reply
  56. Stef says

    January 9, 2020 at 8:47 pm

    Love to know where you got that green dress from??

    Reply

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