Stephanie really wanted to create a mix of learning, doing and also having just plain old fun.  One of the things she was trying to accomplish was for the kids to learn that your location has coordinates, so she included the latitude and longitude of the party on the invitations and had a sign on the boat building table that further explained the concept of coordinates.  Another fun detail was the “Slip 5″ theme used throughout the party to connect the dockside sailing party to Matias’ 5th birthday.   To boot, she even had a slip knot tutorial that her husband, Captain Paul, helped the kids perfect!

She had so many unique ideas including the “message in a bottle” invitations, a “dock”side entrance made from crates, personalize and hoist a burgee, build then race your own boat, sailboat themed sandwiches and the confetti popper finish!  From borrowing wooden pallets from the local grocery store for the dock side entrance to building a sailing canal out of cardboard floral boxes (among other things), there are so many amazing & authentic details that you don’t want to miss!

So if you live in the DC area, please come visit the Little Choux mini boutique at 529.Kids.Consign!  We will be selling many giftable items as well as a selection of home decor including our popular melamine tableware, lunch boxes, raffia baskets, finger printing art kits, matchbox mice & more!  We hope to see you soon!

So today we are sharing our favorite gift ideas to spoil our teachers at the end of the year and thank them for nurturing and loving our children as much as we do!

TEACHER APPRECIATION GIFTS:

Apple Push Pins

Personalized Chalkboard & Stamp Set 

Teacher Push Pins

Customizable Blackboard

Reusable Drink Cup

Customizable Chalkboard

Red Dot Pencil Pouch

Laugh Love Teach Tote Bag

Pink Daisy Cooler Bag

Teacher Notebook Lined Notecards

Apple Thank you Cards

Green Garden Roses Stationery

Letter Mug

School Cookies

Thank you Gift Tags

Turquoise Floral Apron

Tan Linen Embroidered Apron

Patchwork Butterfly Apron

Take a look at our Back to School pinterest board for additional ideas.

Don’t know about you but finding a venue and activity for a group of kids under the age of 6 is challenging.  Sure there are parks and pools in the summer but what does one do when the birthday of your favorite 5 year old is in March in DC?  You go fishing of course!

Our little guy’s latest obsession has been to fish with his Dad so we jumped at the idea of finding a local place to host a party.  It just so happened that a nearby State park offers a fantastic program for kids just his age, including an instructor and use of their visitor center party room.  So with 14 or so kids in tow, the instructor gave a quick 101 on how not to hook your friends (or yourself) and tips on how to use the rod and reel to catch a big one.  Parents & kids then spread out along the scenic shores of the Potomac and sure enough a few of our friends actually caught a fish!

Once all of the fishing fun was over we headed back for our party.  Since it was a mid-afternoon gathering we kept it light and served fishing themed snacks:  Mini Minnows (goldfish), Melon Bobbers (melon balls + fruit salad) and Squirmy Wormies (gummy worms).  We had grand plans for our cupcakes with a DIY fishing pole/swedish fish topper (click for inspiration), but note these do not transport well in the same bag – they were a giant knot by the time we went to adorn our cupcakes.  Ahh well.

To top off our festivities the visitor’s center had a critter collection including snakes, turtles, lizards, frogs and more,  that would have been the bad weather attraction.  We just happened to luck out and got to fish and see the wildlife all in the same day!   As a parting gift, we gave our brave fisherman personalized fishing sacks filled with usable items to remind them of their fun filled day:  rainbow pencils (fishing poles), bouncy balls (bobbers) and fish soap!

We pulled together an exciting, fully outfitted, fishing themed party that we know our son will always remember with the help of Pinterest, other mom-owned businesses and Etsy!  Check out the list of vendors below & let us know what you think!

OUR FABULOUS VENDORS:

Fishing Invitations:  Jenrik Designs on Etsy

Personalized Goody Bags:  Sweet Madys Paper & Gifts

Table Tent & Gift Bag Printable:  Itsy Belle on Etsy

Goldfish Soap:  Gems by Jeff n Me on Etsy

With the creative direction from Petite Social (our fab stylist) we decided on a “vintage” Easter, using the Belle & Boo prints and metal Maileg eggs and tins as inspiration. We collaborated and collected all of our Easter ideas into a Pinterest board, resurrected a vintage tablecloth, picture frame and flower vase …and voila, we brought our vintage Easter to life!

Little Choux Products: Belle & Boo art prints

Little Choux Products: Pink Melamine, Lamb Candle Holder

Little Choux Products: Crocheted eggs, Easter Tin, Hanging Metal Eggs

Little Choux Products: Crocheted Bunny & Duck, Tan Pocket Pillow, Belle & Boo art print

Little Choux Products: Bow Tie, Crocheted Hair Clip, Navy & Grey Stripe Tote, Assorted Easter Basket Toys

Little Choux Products: Large Metal Easter Eggs, Red Flower Tote

VENDOR CREDITS:

Easter Decor & Toys:  Little Choux

Clothing:  Shop Belle

Event Styling:  Petite Social

Photography:  MoxieSox

Party Printables: Libby Lane Press

Fondont Cupcake Toppers: Edible Details

Chocolate Covered Oreo’s:  Sweet Temptations

Easter Party Hats:  Prop Shop Boutique