Birthday planning!

My big girl is going to be 4 this June, I can't believe it! I know it's kind of early to be planning for her birthday, but I can't help it XD I'll probably be planning the baby's 2nd birthday party right after Elise's is over lol. She requested a mermaid party and is VERY excited about it. So far I've made a pennant banner that says "Happy 4th Birthday", which was probably the biggest decoration. I'll be making some big tissue poms closer to the party, and some seahorse shaped white (light green actually) chocolate covered pretzels! I'm making blue frosted cupcakes with sea foam colored sugar sprinkles, plus white chocolate seashells on top! I'll probably make some cupcake toppers for some of them, too. The games and favors are a secret for now ;)

I've also been thinking about what to get my big girl. We were going to get a big girl bike, which she had been asking for. But she recently changed her mind, insisting her little pink balance bike was just fine! She's suggested a few things to us, but she really isn't pining over anything special. She does love Disney's Tangled and all things Rapunzel, so I think I might try making a Rapunzel costume. Bonus points that we can use it for Halloween! I've been looking at patterns and decided McCall's M5954 would be perfect:


The pattern includes an alternate version without the poofy things at the waist, so with just a few changes it can look pretty darn close to this:


McCall's patterns are on sale $.99 each at Joann this week or next I believe. Costume satins and sheers are going to be 50% off the week before Easter I believe (they should be $2-2.50 per yard). Hopefully that can keep the whole project under $20! Joann also advertised some sundress panels with Rapunzel fabric, and I have a ton of 50% off coupons, so I think I'll make her a sundress for her birthday too :) Sundress should be easy, costume definitely won't be. I HATE patterns. HATE THEM! They might as well write the instructions in russian :P

I have a ton of crafts I need to post, but we've been having sleep issues and all sorts of other toddler issues. By the end of the day I just want to relax and watch TV, not upload pics. Hopefully this will pass SOON, and I can get better about posting again!