Recently, Larkspur sat down with our copy of Naturally Fun Parties for Kids and started flipping through the pages. I asked Lark to look closely, and see if she might recognize anything in the pictures.
I contributed to the Egg Dyeing Spring Garden Party, and it didn’t take Larkspur long to find my pictures there, including one of her!
When I asked her how she felt, seeing her little mouth above a basketful of eggs that we dyed, she replied with a shy grin, “embarrassed!”
But as she studied the photos some more, I like to think that she was aware that this is really special.
I am honored that a few of my photos made their way into this lovely book that Anni Daulter and Heather Fontenot created.
We think that it’s kind of hilarious that my need to organize and categorize (and Seth’s- he drew the little lines to create places for the green eggs!) is evident in some of the photos!
What about the book itself, beyond the fun of seeing our photos in it?
The truth is, I’ve never thrown a proper party. The mere thought has always overwhelmed me. But, as I read through the different party ideas, I found myself getting inspired. I started thinking that I could do this, and reading through these great party ideas makes me want to! Anni has a way of being that mom who actually makes fairy houses for all the kids coming to her daughter’s birthday party, without making me feel inadequate for not doing that sort of thing. Instead, she breaks down the components of throwing a good party into bite sized pieces, pieces that even “often overwhelmed me” could handle.
You can use the themes as guides to help you give a party exactly as described, or find inspiration to create your own celebration, letting the ideas be a springboard for your own creation. Each party is described in detail, from the title and theme to a supply list for projects, materials and food. The lists encourage using items you already have, or can be found secondhand. The theme of reduce and reuse is prominent throughout the book, and I love that. The supply list is even broken down into easy to read categories. For instance in the egg dyeing party the categories are: printed paper invitations, outside decor, table decor, games, and recipes. Then right next to that is a timeline (This feature really struck me as important. I would need the timeline.) There are tips for getting ready 2 weeks prior to the event, 1 week prior, the day before, and the day of the party. Seriously, with that kind of help, I think I could do this.
Each party theme is supported by instructions for making handmade invites, great recipes, crafts, and activities. Everything you need is included, but presented in a way that you can pick and choose what works for you. But if you really need a no brainer, it’s all there for you. Most of the parties encourage outdoor locations, which I think really cuts the stress level down and lets you use nature to help decorate!
The bottom line is that I am truly loving Naturally Fun Parties for Kids. Thank you Anni and Heather!
Anni is generously offering two of my readers a copy of Naturally Fun Parties for Kids. For your chance to win, leave a comment on this post. Be sure to hop over and “like” the the Naturally Fun Parties for Kids Facebook page for extra inspiration! Comments will close on Monday. Two winners will be chosen randomly and announced within this post.
Comments are closed. The winners are:
Open Roads Mama Amber: “Yes, please! The book sounds amazing, I always need inspiration in the party for kids department!”
and Brittany: “I would love to have a copy of this book! Thanks for the chance to win one :)”
Thanks Anni and Heather!
oh how I need a bit of inspiration and push to host a little people’s party! Like you, I always get a bit overwhelmed with the thoughts of holding a party! ahhh, what a lovely book!
Wow, thanks for the opportunity. This looks great.
Congratulations on your pics being included! Would love a copy of this book; definitely going on my ,growing, wish list.
Great inspiration! I really am enjoying your blog too, speaking of being inspired 😉
I have a serious fear of parties and party planning, so this would be a wonderfully welcome book in our house!
What a lovely book! There’s so much beauty around us to explore and enjoy…party stores certainly can’t outshine nature! We would love to own a copy 🙂 Also, Ginny, you have inspired our family in many ways…I’ll always think of you when beeswaxing leaves, teaching my little ones to knit, sewing a doll quilt for a tiny child, or gazing at a wondrous tree…such simple pleasures gleaned from someone I’ve never met!
Sounds like a great book.
Sounds like a great book!
Nice. Hope I win!
Wow. I need this inspiration!
Looks like a wonderfully fun book.
How special for Larkspur!!! I would love to get a copy of the book.
What a cool book! I would love to own a copy.
My best friend and i were just discussing how wasteful birthday parties can be. This book looks like a cure to that. I’d love to give this to her!
ooohh that looks like a great book. I would love to win.
oooo…my daughter would *love* this!
What a fun book and how exciting to have your photos in it!
This book looks wonderful!
Thank you all for the generous giveaway.
We’d make great use of this book in our family! Thanks for the giveaway.
I’m sure this is full of great ideas! Thanks Ginny and Anni for this great giveaway! And how exciting for Larkspur to have her picture in a book….what a sweet treasure for her!
Congratulations on your egg photos being included in the book! I would love to check out all the party ideas! Looks like fun!
Ooooh yes please! With 7 children I’ve had practise throwing parties but only ever with them – rarely with others (the benefits of having many!!) Now that more than half of them are grown and flown, the younger ones need extra’s at their birthday parties …..and I think I need this book!
Just thinking that it’s a funny thing to say – ‘throwing’ a party…… really?
This looks fabulous!!
This would be amazing to have,seeing between my kids and the daycare I run we have a party a month.I also have heard from 2 of my friends it amazing!!!Thanks for the chance to try to win one!!!!
That book looks awesome! I love throwing parties.
We always have a birthday coming up… so would be wonderful!
I saw a copy of this book on someone else’s blog but your review makes me want it even more. I hope to win.
What a great resource that’s so different than the “party” items you usually find at the store!
Looks like fun to me!
I love the idea of this book. Thanks for the opportunity to win one!
What a beautiful book. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy!
Lovely eggs, too!
I would like one!
So, I guess either she doesn’t read your blog, OR the blog photos of her aren’t the same in her mind as book photos. 🙂
Ohhh a timeline would be great! I enjoy throwing fun parties but usually can only handle one theme party a year. Sunshine has been asking for a party though so I may try to squeeze one in before the baby arrives. Having things all laid out would make that a whole lot easier to do.
This looks like a wonderful book!
Oh, what a wonderful giveaway! I can think of so many occasions when we could use a book like this. Thank you for letting us know about it!
This book looks so lovely, and I feel so lucky to have stumbled upon this giveaway via Pinterest. I saw a picture of your eggs there, and was very much drawn to explore who created them! My daughter turns 5 at the end of this summer…that is the age when her brother started having birthday parties. This year will be her first, and I know I will find inspiration in this book. Thanks for the chance!
Congratulations on your contribution to the book Ginny! It looks simply lovely. I find children’s parties rather daunting too and would love some more options like this rather than giving up and opting for the bowling alley or similar. Thanks for the opportunity to win 🙂
The book looks lovely. What a nice thing to be a part of. Everything you do looks so charming and inspiring.
This looks like such a lovely book. Parties overwhelm as well, but I would use many of the ideas for small friend gatherings. Thanks for the chance to win.
Oh, I love Anni’s other books! Thank you for this opportunity!
oh this book looks fabulous! Congrats on your book appearance!
This book looks wonderful!
ooh– I have been wanting to get my hands on this book. Thanks!
Thank you 🙂
I’d love to win!
What a cute book! The timeline would really be helpful!
I would love this book! It would be so nice to be able to learn more about how to throw my little ones memorable, fun parties!
Thanks for the offer! It looks like a great book!
This book looks great!
My son is about to turn 2 and throwing a party intimidates me. Would love to check out this book!