On Saturday, we celebrated Ashby’s 3rd birthday with a You Are My Sunshine swim party!
I mean to tell you…didn’t Andrea do a great job on these invites?!? The picture on the back is one of my favorites :).
I love hosting my kids’ birthday parties and coming up with their themes (now, the older two come up with their own themes…as of today, Kensington hasn’t decided what she wants for September, but she’s brainstorming like crazy!). I must say, I think this was hands down the easiest theme to decide because honestly, Ashby London just is our little sunshine. She is just pure joy and light in our family and having a swim party based around the fact that she IS our sunshine just made so much sense :).
The party was in the backyard, but our guests walked through the house to get there, so this was the entryway. Another sign for our wall :).
The ladies left the party with Love & Sunshine Body Cream as their party favor (I bought little pool toys for the kiddos!).
We listened to the Summer Oldies station on Pandora throughout the house, patio and yard…I thought it was appropriate when Ain’t No Sunshine came on ;).
On the menu for this party.
I served the kids’ dinner on sunshine plates and then everyone got a sunshine napkin (found them online at Birthday Express).
My friend Emily makes the best (and cutest!) cupcakes with little sugar cookie toppers. I say it every time…but just when I thought a cupcake couldn’t get any better, she goes and adds a cookie on top. Brilliant!
Our precious birthday girl ready to par-ty!
I love this kid :). We were waiting in the foyer for her guests to arrive and she wanted pictures on every step.
Gangs all here and ready to swim!
Watermelon for the win!
Happy birthday to Ashby!
Opening presents :).
Party success!
I don’t know if I’ll ever get over the fact that a year ago, she was alone in an orphanage and now, she’s with us. God is just amazing. He took an abandoned baby from the other side of the world and fit her perfectly into this family. I am in complete awe of His ways. She is our sunshine.
To see Smith’s parties from years past, here you go…
To see Kensington’s parties from years past, here you go…
And this week on Meal Planning Monday…
…5 quick suppers that don’t require you to heat up your kitchen! Woohoo!
Anonymous says
I wish all Mamas are like you. You are kind, lots of fun and full of love.
Cheers, Jane from Oz :))
Lauren McGreevy says
What a precious party, for a precious little girl! You are so blessed to have each other.
Have a great day!
Lauren
http://www.postgradinprogress.blogspot.com
Johannah says
What an amazing little party you threw for Ashby =) I love the theme!
Happy Monday Shay!
Erika Slaughter says
That was the perfect theme for Ashby's party!! So glad she got to party hard!! The pictures of her on those stairs are adorable!!
Anonymous says
For the past 2.5 years I have visited an orphanage in Haiti. What I have learned is that a child is not "alone" while staying at an orphanage. Oftentimes the older children "adopt" one of the younger ones as their little brother/little sister. The love that is shared between them is amazing. Every child deserves a forever family but they are not alone and unloved while at the orphanage. Happy birthday, Ashby!
Narci says
Aw!! Happy Birthday to our sweet Ashby!! ❤️❤️❤️
Raashi Agarwal says
Awww she's so beautiful! So in awe of your family, hope she had the best birthday party – definitely looks like it! 🙂
daniellem02 says
What a sweetheart–God bless your family
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Yep! Ashby is sunshine with skin on! That girl radiates joy! Perfect party to celebrate your little sunshine. Loved all the pics!
Anonymous says
Great party theme. Looks like everyone had so much fun especially the birthday girl. One oops – misspelling of the word "will" on the invitation? It says "wil".
Anonymous says
I'm glad I wasn't the only one who noticed!
Mix and Match Mama says
Haha! Very good! I've looked at that thing a million times and never noticed!
Angie says
Precious party!! Ashby is a very blessed little girl! 🙂
Anonymous says
Such a sweet party. Something about K's hair cut makes her look so much older.
Brooke Haas says
What a beautiful birthday party! Ashby is one blessed little three year old! Also, Kensington and Smith look so big!
Erin @ Crafts and Sutch says
Happy Birthday, Ashby! What a fun party theme for a little girl who smiles sunbeams! 🙂 I love the pic of the 5 of you in the pool! So cute!
KellyinPA says
What a wonderful party for a special little girl! So. much. fun.! And Kensington looks so grown-up on that picture on the steps:).
Anonymous says
Very cute picture of your family, looks like you had such fun! Blessings to Ashby, you and the rest of your cute family.
kimm atwood says
Happy birthday ashby
Melanie Smith says
Sooo cute! Love the theme.
Anonymous says
Hi Shay- could you please tell me then ame of the paint color you have on your walls by the stair well? It contrasts so well with your thick white trim- in person is it gray? or brown? Thanks!
Anonymous says
Sorry, that was the "name" of the paint color- typo! 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
It's Sherwin Williams Kilim Beige :). Have a great day!
Whitney S. (Gracefully Mama) says
I love summer birthdays, too! We go all out for our kid's parties. I tell my husband, I'm going to take full advantage of the opportunity while there young. Soon enough they won't want to the big party, or at least to have me involved. 🙂 Ashby is so sweet! Glad you had a nice weekend.
Megan Patterson says
Ashby looks like she has grown up so much in the past 5 months! I hope she had a great birthday!
Kelsey Mann Peacock says
Such a cute party theme & it definitely seems to fit Ashby! Glad you all had such a fun weekend celebrating your birthday girl 🙂
Kelsey
http://www.thepeacockroost.com
Mary Dollar says
Looks Like So Much Fun!!!
Jenna Grace says
I loved this post! Ashby looks like she had so much fun. So happy for her! Your family is the cutest.
http://www.jenna-grace.com
The Nelson Happenings says
Happy Birthday to the sweet girl !!!! Your menu for the party looks amazing 🙂 Such a wonderful Sunshine Party !!!
Grace says
This brought me an infinite amount of joy!! I love reading about your kiddos' parties and this did not disappoint. Happy belated birthday to little Miss Sunshine Ashby!
Melissa says
Super precious! I love the pink and yellow sunshine theme-it's perfect for a summer birthday! I have neither any girls nor any summer birthdays, but I'm storing this one away for potential future use ; )
Katie says
I just started reading your blog and I just have to say what an amazing family you have. Your faith and commitment to family and the Lord is inspiring! Happy Birthday to sweet Ashby.
Laura Parsons says
Happy birthday sweet Ashby! Couldn't help but tear up at the pictures – she was meant to be for you and your family. Blessed <3!
Beautifully Seaside // Formerly Chic Coastal Living says
How sweet was her party! I miss those days of planning fun themed parties for my boys and you just got me inspired for my youngest son's birthday in the fall. You're are so right! God is amazing in His ways and how he wants to give us the desire of our hearts. All my love to you and your precious babies. 🙂
Erin says
This is so great! Every time I read your posts on Ashby I say a little prayer of thanks to God for bringing this sweet little girl to your family. I'm curious – can you or do you send any pictures to the foster family that she lived with at the end of her stay in China? I'm sure they would be so thrilled to see this little girl they cared for so darn happy and loved! Happy Birthday, little Ashby, clear from Iowa!
Michelle N. says
Oh Shay! Just so happy for you and I don't even "know" you. Thanks for sharing your joy with us! Happy celebrating! She never will be alone again!
Heidi says
Look at her grin! What joy! I just saw this video about adoption and Father's Day, and it made me think of your family! You have to watch it!
https://www.facebook.com/persecuted/videos/10153582868432454/
Sarah says
OH my gosh, that last picture the cutest ever! Christmas card in the making 🙂
Loni "The Healthie Foodie" says
Shay and Andrew,
I am truly in awe of the two of you. Just thinking back to where your little Ashby came from and how far she's come. She really is a ray of sunshine. I've always had it in my heart to adopt, since my parents did foster care and has taken in over 23 children over 15 years. But seeing Ashby and how happy and healthy she is b/c of the two you it has solidified my desire to adopt and make a little boy or girl my ray of sunshine as Ashby is your's. Happy 3rd Birthday Ashby and many, many more!! Lots of Love – Loni 🙂
Paula says
Sweet theme for a sweet little girl! ♡
Jeanie says
What a rousing success of a party! I love the last picture of you all in the pool.
Megan says
Who makes the signs for you for their parties?? They are super cute!!! Ashby seems like such a doll 🙂
Jen R says
Happy birthday sweet Ashby!! I love your themes! I wish I had started blogging before my first was born so I could have documented all of them.. but I did start at her 2nd, and I've blogged about all the rest, thankfully! I love looking back at all of them..thanks for sharing the other themes' links too!
♥ Jen
A Splash of Life Blog
Abby Brooks says
Ashby is pure joy!!! Such a sweet party for her…even sweeter to see how the Lord has worked in her life and in y'alls lives! He is so good!
Find Handmade says
Like your pictures and the way you write with such clarity – you are an inspiration and it is so good to see you sharing your story! Keep up the great work, we appreciate it!
Aubrey says
Such a fun party! Love your little miss Sunshine!
Anonymous says
Awww. I love reading your blogs. Happy bday to Ashby. She looks so happy.
Emily Whisenant says
Looks like such an amazing party! Truly sunshine and smiles for all! I absolutely LOVE the pictures of Ashby with yummy buttercream all over her face! Made my day! Thanks for sharing!