It's Shark Week! So I thought this was the perfect time to share my son's Wet 'n' Wild Shark Pool Party! Dashell pleaded to have a pool party this year, which is perfect for him as I swear each summer he transforms into a fish. And when he realized that he could have not only a pool party but also a SHARK party, well, he was in heaven!
I just adore setting the stage for our parties from the moment the guests pull up in front of our house. For this party, I lined driveway with a school of chomping sharks bearing polka dot balloons.
And to make sure there was no confusion as to our theme, I created a large sign welcoming everyone to Dashell's Wet 'n' Wild Birthday Splash Bash and hung it over our driveway.
As the guests approached the backyard, they were greeted by a water themed backdrop, featuring large sharks flanking a happy birthday banner, tons of beach balls and scattered shark themed tables.
The chairs at the adult table were adorned with felt shark chair covers and for the kids tables, I created life preserver stool covers to help pull the seats into our theme.
When it came to the dessert table, I went a little shark crazy!
I created a wave themed backdrop, and then went to town with shark cupcakes (these were a HUGE hit! Every child wanted a "shark cake")...
...and a "shark tank" full of frighteningly beautiful cookies from Angela, at Oh Sugar! Events.
I arranged some delicious filled licorice (these really were a hit!) in glass vessels wrapped in coordinating paper, laced them with a few additional shark cookies and topped it all with a custom table label declaring them "Abandoned Pool Noodles".
Sarah, of Mom's Killer Cakes and Cookies, created the most spectacular shark and beach ball cake pops. They really were "killer"!
And just because I didn't feel that there were enough sharks on the table, I created custom shark wraps for my red velvet push pops.
For the cake, I wanted something simple and graphic. The ladies at Takes the Cake did an amazing job bringing my vision to life and Liz, from Les Pop Sweets, did a beautiful job with the fondant shark topper, fins and beach balls.
Dashell was beyond excited and couldn't wait to make his birthday wish. (Although he did whisper to me that his wish came true, as this party was exactly what he had wished for!)
Through out the party I had tons of giant beach balls and inflatable sharks, 2 water slides and loads of squirt guns. The kids ran wild!
The afternoon was filled with lots of laughter and squeals of delightful "terror"!
When they were all exhausted and it was time to dry off and pack up, we sent each guest home with a custom canvas beach tote, packed with a striped cabana towel so that the next time they decided to head into shark infested waters, they would be prepared!
And I can't tell you how many parents have gone out of their way to tell me how much they absolutely love the bags. It always feels so good when you can give a favor that can be used and enjoyed over and over again.
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