{Brooklyn} 3rd Birthday | UP Inspired Party

I promised myself that I was not going to host a big birthday party this year...to save myself the effort & money...and instead spend the day at Disneyland with the family (which Brooklyn would enjoy just as much). But then I got this great idea and couldn't get it out of my head. Which was reconfirmed once my amazing friend passed on her daughter's Pottery Barn dollhouse to Brookie for her birthday. And then confirmed again when my brother and I started brainstorming ideas. We went a little crazy but had such a blast planning this party. Steven made all my ideas come to life and there is no way I could have pulled this party off on my own. Thanks bro!

UP is in fact one of Brooklyn's favorite movies. She has lines from the movie memorized and even knows what a "cumulus nimbus" is thanks to it. I love "Ellie's" character in the movie and reminds me so much of Brookie's adventurous little spirit and bossy attitude. So I thought an outdoor movie night sounded like a fun way to celebrate! I got tons of great ideas from Pinterest and the world wide web.

A huge thank you goes out to my entire family visiting for all of the hard work they put into decorating the day of the party. I'm sad they may never come again after the work they did this weekend in preparation for the party and after. A special thanks to Jill for Brookie's birthday attire and for the yummy pasta salad (that everyone is still talking about :)).

Much of this party was stuff I already had in my home or classroom. Or it was made from scratch, only buying the materials to make.

All of the vintage suitcases belong to my older brother (who is currently living with us).

All of the maps & atlas papers came from my classroom (being a Spanish teacher & lover of maps).

I saw this awesome tutorial on a paper airplane mobile and knew we had to make one. The branches literally came from my front yard. 

I used all the leftover luminarias from our wedding for the birthday favors. The favors included a flashlight, a postcard, passport, & candy. And the popcorn bags were left over from last years birthday party. 

I bought the "UP" letters from the dollar store and used spray adhesive to attach a map from Spain (that I already had). I cut around the edges of the letter after spraying with an exacto knife. I've been wanting letters like this for forever and it literally cost me $2. I've seen them posted here and here for a minimum of $12 per letter. 

 Brookie seeing her new dollhouse for the first time...

One of my fave scenes in UP is one of the early scenes as young Ellie & Carl are looking at her Adventure Book with a flashlight in a tent. I knew I wanted to have a tent...and my brother made Brookie one with a quilt that I already had (thanks to this shoot). It's so cute! I'm sure I'll be using it again for a photo shoot.

 Her "Ellie" badge...that she showed to everyone. :)

I covered the soda bottles with this label...

 My older sister Lynnette made the cake & cupcakes from scratch. Turned out so cute!

 The outdoor movie theatre (made from our broken bed frame that has been sitting in our garage)....

My mom & friend Jill.

The food was delish thanks to my brother & Jill...marinated flank steak & salads. 

I thought it was a cute idea to do an outdoor movie, but I had no idea how much the kids would really love it. 

It was a total buzz kill when the movie kept freezing in the same place. So sad!

Brookie got some really cute & adorable gifts! 

Thank you everyone for coming and for your generosity. Toddler Toms? So flippin' cute...

 Amanda made Brookie her own Adventure Book. It was absolutely adorable and so thoughtful!

This literally made me tear up (something about others loving on your kid just makes me weepy)...

 And the adventures continued into the late night (nearing midnight)...

One of Brookie's fave gifts, her new scooter....