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!
This book looks wonderful. We have a kid party coming up in June and I need some inspiration 🙂
Amazing! And I love Larkspur’s little lips. As always your photos are amazing and inspirational. No surprise they ended up in such a book. Thanks for the chance!
I find birthday’s kind of stressful. While we have found a quiet balance for the time being, I would love to scavenge new ideas- non commercial and low waste. What a good idea for a book. Thank you for a chance to win.
That looks fabulous! I’d love to win a copy. 🙂
pick me!
love anni’s books. we’re huge fans of ice pop joy around here 🙂
Sounds just perfect, I could do with all that inspiration. Juliex
What a cool looking book! I also think the timeline sounds like one of the most useful parts!
What a beautiful book!
Love to win.
This book looks so inspiring! I have six children and we are could use some new ideas for fun parties to throw. I love a good party! Thanks for opportunity Ginny.
Please enter me for this draw, my little one will be coming up to 4 years old in December and has been to lots of parties already (not his but others) but I always chicken out of doing our own as I am not sure how I would go about planning a party from start to finish and it all seems a little daunting! So this would be a help and a good starting point. Love reading the blog!
What lovely photos!
We have lately needed more natural, fun celebration in our lives.
Thanks for the chance to win this beautiful book.
I’m very party-shy. I could really use some inspiration. Your review of this book totally sold me. Good job, Ginny!
What a wonderful giveaway – I would love this book full of ideas!
What great photos! This looks like a fabulous book
Beautiful. This would be such a treat to look through and get inspired by.
What a nice idea for a book. I have three birthdays to plan in the near future so a little inspiration would be most appreciated!
Beautiful photos, Ginny… I’d love this book!
love this book!!!!
Sounds great!
Would love a resource like this!
Yeah for simple and beautiful parties!
This book sounds incredible! Love the idea of the timeline too; that would be super useful. Thanks Anni and Heather for a chance to win!
I would love to have a copy of this book! Thanks for the chance to win one 🙂
thanks for the chance to win it – would be a very inspiring book for my girls’ parties.
What a beautiful, lovely book. I would love to have it.
I would love some party ideas for my little ones, because it is hard to throw a party without getting overwhelmed, as you said!
I really should purchase one of these! I am totally overwhelmed and stressed out about throwing parties. But my oldest really enjoys them.
Wonderful! Thanks for the opportunity.
Oh, this book looks wonderful!
I would love a copy of this book! We always try to simple parties but I need some new ideas! I also have always wanted to do natural Easter egg dyes! Thank you for doing a giveaway!
Just what I need! ( okay, want) 🙂
What a beautiful book!
yes please! its so hard to have a kids party when you are trying to avoid plastic, food coloring and such
We would love to have this book!
Looks like a great book! My children and I would love if I won this!
Yes! Sounds wonderful. Love your photo contributions too. X ashley
Fantastic book, thanks for the chance to win!
Looks like a book with a ton a ‘achievable’ good ideas! Thank you!
What a great looking book! We are throwing a fairy party in the woods for my 6 year old in a few weeks. She and her friends will be hiking up the hill behind our house to make a fairy village. We did a trial run with her family party a few weeks ago. It was magical! Thanks for the giveaway!
The book looks beautiful! Thanks for hosting the giveaway.
looks like a beautiful book. gorgeous photos!
The book looks beautiful and your photos are superb as always.
What a lovely book! I’d love to have a copy, if internacional shipping isn’t an issue!
I can’t believe I hadn’t even heard of this book! Sounds fabulous!
This book sounds great. With your contribution to the book, that’s definitely an add-on inspiration for me to craft and party planning with our children. Thanks for sharing this book with us.
Awww! Looks like such a beautiful book filled with many natural inspirational ideas! Thanks sooooooo much for telling us about this book! I’m sure this precious & unique book will be treasured & loved by many families! I’m looking forward to reading it! 🙂
we’ve thrown a natural party or 2 but nothing like these pages!
love the inspiration in the book!
This sounds like a wonderful book! Thank you so much for the giveaway!
What a wonderfully inspiring party book, I love the whole idea of it – my fingers and toes are crossed 🙂