On Sunday, we were so excited to celebrate Kensington’s 11th birthday at a pottery place on our town square!
We always do parties/celebrating a little differently each year and with each kid based on what they want/what makes the most sense/etc. Last year, Kensington celebrated her 10th birthday with a trip to NYC in lieu of a party and the year before that, she had a swimming party at home, so this year, she wanted a “friend” party at the pottery place. On our town square, there is the cutest place called Walls of Clay where you can either walk in and paint throughout the day or host a private event after hours, so we decided to do that.
We had a great mix of friends from church, volleyball and school at the party and my sweet parents were there too. It was so much fun!
I mentioned this on Instagram, but we had a really rough week last week. One morning, Kensington woke up and her face was so swollen that she couldn’t open her eyes, so I immediately took her to urgent care. After a trip there and then also with the dermatologist, she was put on several medications to reduce the itching, relieve the swelling, lower the redness and get rid of that nasty stuff. At the time, she was diagnosed with poison ivy. Unfortunately, on Monday, she backslid and we were back to the doctor again yesterday, where they said it absolutely wasn’t poison ivy but something else instead. They put her on two more medications, and we’re hoping it goes away as soon as possible. I say all of that to say, she has been such a trooper. She only ended up missing one day of school, she fought through the scratching, she really never complained and she certainly didn’t feel sorry for herself. She has been SO FANTASTIC! It was a stinky way to spend her birthday week, but we are immensely proud. After a rough week, we were ready for a pottery party!
We arrived at the pottery place early to put out balloons, set out cupcakes and such. She opened her presents from Papa Jay and Lovie before her friends arrived too (sweet Ebby Lee came with us!). Her brother opted to stay at Nixon’s house instead of attending this party, but those two sisters of hers were excited to be there!
This girl was PUMPED about the pottery party!
I’m always so happy that my parents can come to these parties!
They were anxious to begin!
Before the party, K decided that she wanted her and her friends to paint mugs. I loved that idea! They’ll be perfect for hot cocoa season.
Please note the mug that Madeley selected. Hahahaha! Yes, that’s a unicorn head sticking out of the side.
This is such a festive and happy shop!
She was so proud of her mug 🙂 .
So was she. Ha!
My friend Amy, of course, made the most fabulous sign for our birthday wall! Side note: did you know that Amy makes holiday and fall signs too?! You guys MUST check out her Etsy shop!!
I was cracking up because even Andrew painted a mug!
Sigh. He painted it for Smith. Since the three girls will all have new mugs, he wanted Smith to have one too…
He was very proud. And then he got…
…very cocky. #ihopetheylose
My sweet friend Emily made the CUTEST cupcakes for the party! (The girls had pizza too!)
She’s officially 11 years old!
Time sure does fly.
Okay, if you’ve never flipped through our other parties/themes before, you can do that below! Over the years, we’ve had some really fun ones!
Happy Wednesday, friends!
To see Kensington’s parties from years past, here you go…
Kensington’s Big Apple Birthday
Kensington’s Big Apple Birthday
To see Smith’s parties from years past, here you go…
Smith’s Snowboarding Birthday Part 2
Smith’s Snowboarding Birthday Part 2
To see Ashby’s birthdays from years past, here you go…
Ashby’s Hawaiian Birthday Bash
Ashby’s Frozen Swim Party
Ashby’s Hawaiian Birthday Bash
Ashby’s Frozen Swim Party
To see Madeley’s birthdays from years past, here you go…
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Such a great idea! I also tried my hand at pottery when I was young while on a trip to China. I still remember the experience to this day! ?✨
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Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Narci says
What a fun way to celebrate turning 11! Presley had an absolute blast!
Sheaffer Sims says
Looks like such a fun time! Happy Birthday, K!!!!! You deserve some extra birthday love!
Elspeth says
This looks so fun and perfect for her age. I love hearing about your children’s birthday parties!
http://www.elspethsdaybyday.com
Erin Smith says
What a cute party!! So sorry she is still not better- praying it’s gone soon.
Erin Port says
We just had a pottery party for Vera and it was so simple and so fun! Perfect for this crazy stage of our life! Hope she feels better soon and they get to the root of the issue!!!! xoxo ERIN
Jen says
Pottery parties are always a blast! Love this! Also love Kensington’s booties…do you have a link by chance, or can you share the brand? Thanks!
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re Toms! She got them that day for her birthday 🙂 !
Mary says
Did you end up getting the leopard booties?
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re in my closet right now!!
Mary says
Mine too;)
Kathy Roe says
Andrew’s picture of his cup cracked me up. That was so sweet of him to make one for Smith. I also love hearing about your parties with your kids. You have such a great family. Happy Birthday Kensington!
Laurie S says
What a great party! Happy belated birthday Miss Kensington! I hope her rash is better and she’s feeling more comfortable. I noticed Madeley is holding the paint brush in her left hand – is she also left handed like Ashby?
Mix and Match Mama says
She is!! Good eye!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams says
I always love seeing the themes the kids pick! So glad K had a great day and I hope she’s feeling better!
Amanda @ Cupcake N Dreams
Laci says
My daughter turned 11 this month too and this is such a fun age!!
Mix and Match Mama says
It really is!!!
Amanda Wilson says
My absolute fave posts!!! I love birthdays!!! I love birthdays like you love fall!! That sign might be my fave. Happy Birthday Kensington!!
Tanya says
Such a fun age! What a trooper for dealing with all that itchiness. I hope she’s feeling better soon!
Shannon says
I love it! What a fun party! I literally laughed out loud about Andrew’s mug. (I hope they lose, too! #GoCubbies)
Mix and Match Mama says
Me too!!
Debbie Lang says
What a fun birthday party!! I love mixing it up and doing whatever fits them for that year. Can I just say that I love Kensington’s fashion sense at such a young age. The sweaters!!! 🙂 Also, can you share Emily’s information to order cupcakes again. I love the little sugar cookie on top.
Mix and Match Mama says
Oh boo, she doesn’t have her business any longer. Now that she has kids in high school, she has scaled back for only some friends. I’m sorry!
Cindy says
Could K have an allergy and something in the paint triggered it. (Maybe something in school supplies she is also allergic to)
Kay says
What a fun party! You always have the best ones . . . I look forward to seeing what the theme is each year for all your kids. Question – where did you get K’s wedge boots in the first picture? They are so cute! Hope she gets better soon and they figure out what’s going on.
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re Toms!
Colleen McTeague says
Such a cute birthday party idea! Will you show their finished projects??
Tracy says
Love it! Took me back to around the time my daughter was that age (she just turned 21!). She had a pottery party and all the girls painted butterfly banks. So much fun.
Mix and Match Mama says
That’s a great one too!!
Meg says
So fun! My daughter just turned 11 as well and it’s such a fun age :-). May I ask where her cute cardigan and pants are from? Thx!
Mix and Match Mama says
Gap and Old Navy 🙂
Keisha Dawson says
I love this party idea! I think I need to plan a girls night with friends to do this!
Karen Ward says
What fun!! I LOL’d at Andrew’s mug for Smith. Awful cocky!!
Becky B says
Great party! Hope K feels tons better soon!
Deena says
How fun for Kensington and everyone! My ladies group did that at a similar place in Frisco and we had a great time! The sign and cupcakes were so cute! I hope she’s better soon.
Amanda @ That Inspired Chick says
Such a cute party!! I wouldn’t mind doing that for MY birthday! And that sign is absolutely adorable!
That Inspired Chick
Melanie M. says
What a cute idea for a birthday party. This one was dear to my heart because my mom did ceramics when I was growing up. Then, while I was in college, my parents bought a ceramic shop in Shreveport. They owned it for several years and it brought a lot of joy to them and their customers. Happy Birthday, Kensington!
ELO says
So cute! Kensington’s issue sounds a lot like my oldest’s reaction to penicillin. Any chance she was taking something new or tried something that may have triggered an allergic reaction? Hope she feels better soon!
Liz Thorson says
Fun party for your dear, sweet Kensington! I sure hope the cause of her rash, swelling and itching is determined! ❤️ I love the outfit she choose to wear and the precious picture of you and your mother. I adored my mom, too—gone 16 years now.
Kelly says
That was sweet of Andrew to make a mug for Smith but GO ASTROS!!!
Landyn says
Hi shay I need some recipe help! I wanted to make your SLOW COOKER CORNBREAD CHICKEN ENCHILADAS but I was wondering If I could use ground turkey instead? What would I do differently? Would it be as good? Thanks so much
Mix and Match Mama says
Of course!! Go for it!
nylah says
Looks ike the party was fun! about kensingtons skin irritation. My daughter who was 5 at the time had a really bad allergic reaction when we switched laundry detergents. maybe its something your using in your laundry. Her eyes were basically swollen shut for 5 days until we figured it out and she too was put on multiple medications to try and stop the swelling. All that helped her was when we went back to our origional laundry detergent that was a free and clear. Apparently using a sented laundry detergent can cause skin problems. Hope kensington gets better soon!
Krista Dragoo says
I love that Andrew painted a mug for Smith!!
Liz says
Hi Shay – Happy birthday to Kensington! My daughter turns 11 on Thursday! I love K’s booties. I know you said they are Tom’s. Can you please share the style name? Are they womens or kids size? I looked on Nordstrom website but couldn’t find. My daughter is the same shoe size as me now 🙂 Thank you!
Mix and Match Mama says
They’re on today’s post!! They’re mentioned in my first “Friday Favorite!”!