Addy's 4th Birthday Party

Addy has had quite the birthday week. She was able to celebrate her 4th birthday in Paris and it was complete with a trip to Disneyland. She also had a birthday celebration at her German school. I was tempted to not throw her a birthday party, but I just couldn't not let her have a party! So we had a very nice low-key birthday party in the backyard yesterday afternoon. We invited 6 kids (3 of which are our German neighbors and her classmates), and we were very happy they all came. I decided that I was not making any lunch or dinner. So an ice cream party complete with cake and cupcakes seemed like the perfect idea. Addy's favorite food is ice cream so she was very much looking forward to the celebration. The party ended up being very simple. The weather was perfect too! No rain, and it turned out to be a beautiful day.

Birthday girl very excited to indulge in the treats:

The cake, which turned out to be very easy to make. Addy helped and we did 3 layers (chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry)-- a Neapolitan Cake to go with the theme. It was frosted with a vanilla buttercream and we poured chocolate ganache over the top.

Ice cream bar:

Cupcakes frosted with vanilla buttercream to look like ice cream:

Party favors (because the kids didn't already have enough treats)

Addy told me this was the highlight of the party: Pin the Cherry on the Ice Cream Cone!

Candy scavenger hunt, the kids decorated their bags earlier during the party

Singing happy birthday! Her German friends also sang in German which was very cute! I love the ice cream candles, I had found them months ago (not knowing if I was ever going to do an ice cream party), but they were too cute and I thought I could always use them for something!

Kids enjoying their cake, although at this point they were pretty sugared up!

Opening presents

Buying party supplies or craft supplies in Germany is not easy. In fact, there is no craft store. I am very glad I have a nice stash of craft supplies, ribbon, paper, even plates/napkins, etc. This party basically came together with things I had collected over the past few years. I didn't have to buy anything new!