Rock Star 6th Birthday Party – We Cranked It Up to 11
Miss Adeline Brett’s rock star 6th birthday party was a super blast to plan and even more fun getting to play there! Our kiddo parties are usually more along the lines of some pizza and friends in the backyard garden … but this year she asked for a punk rock star theme and we had so much fun planning and ended up getting a little carried away with the fun of it all.
Keep in mind that all this wasn’t *just* for Adeline (we’re not into the spoiled kid parties or getting so wrapped up in making things “pretty” that we forget to enjoy the important things and have fun) … it was for us, for her sister, for all Addie’s friends and all our friends and family to come and be silly and have fun! Apologies for the photo overload … this post is very image heavy (and all processed with Paint the Moon actions that are coming soon)! 🙂
The party was as surprise … the first surprise party Addie’s had, so there was extra excitement in the preparations. The awesome part was that I did all the planning and preparing while the kids were sleeping, and when it was party time I had most of the photos out of the way so I could put the camera down and not miss out on any of the fun!
It was bone chilling cold outside … the poor girls were troopers and we just took ten minutes to take a few shots of all of us decked out. I very rarely wear make up and felt SO weird with so much piled on. Both Scott and I agreed it just emphasized how dang old we are (he was the proud recipient of heavy black eyeliner errr… GUYliner, ha!). We looked like washed up oldsters who’ve seen too much rock and roll, drugs and alcohol and were refusing to admit we were washed up. LOL!
The invite, aka, Rock Concert Ticket. She had her own little site set up for the invite and RSVP as well … adelinebrett.com. The graphic designer in me took over with the design of everything … late at night as the girls slept is when I worked on all this. And, yep, the QR code worked to bring the guest to the invite/RSVP site. We also had QR codes set up on the back of the backstage passes … the kids were met at the velvet rope out front to be given their exclusive, personalized Backstage All Access Pass and their pass code was scanned – on the screen they would see this pop up: backstage pass code, so we “knew” they were cleared for access. 😉
After photos outside, as far as Addie knew, I was going to go run errands downtown after they dropped me and Eliza off. I was actually setting up the party while they picked up some cupcakes … and then they came back downtown to “pick mommy up.” She walked in and still didn’t understand it was HER party. She was going to beg her daddy to just bounce one time on the bounce castle before she had to leave to go home to the tiny family get together she thought we had planned. 🙂 Imagine her surprise when we told her THAT was her party … and the bouncy castle was her birthday gift! Okay, you don’t have to imagine it because I snapped a picture!
The very moment of surprise when she walked in, saw everything and realized it was all for her!! Also note that all these indoor shots were taken in a dark ballroom at night with no flash … so we are talking an average of 2500 for ISO.
The band invited ALL the kids up on stage with their little inflatable guitars from their swag bags to “play” guitar. It was quite a sight seeing 25 kids lined up rocking out together … the guitarist stood in the back playing so they all felt like they were the ones making the amazing music.
This is Adeline and her best friend, crazy Miss M.
The band played Happy Birthday to her as we all sang along … it just happened to be the coolest and the LONGEST rendition I’ve ever heard. She was *dying* to eat that cupcake and blow out those candles and kept a smile glued to her face the whole time, but it lost it’s luster about two minutes in. You could see the “Come on, already, there is cake to be eaten!!!” written all over her face!
We were so excited to have the amazing artist Miranda Vettrus play for us all night. We have friends of ours to thank for hooking us up with them (and for helping manage all the music and sound that night – Jason is an awesome friend and massively talented in numerous areas). Adeline had heard her music before and actually asked if she could come to her birthday party … I explained famous musicians were very busy, so I didn’t think so, but I would sure check. Imagine her surprise! And she played all of Addie’s favorites for her … a little Johnny Cash and the Bright Eyes song that was playing when she was born. This mama was a bit teary eyed throughout the night. Our good friends are up there playing too (Jason on drums and Silver on bass guitar) … take a look at their sweet little girl, Echo, rocking out with them!
I took a super simple light set up down with me so I could get mug shot style photos of any guests who wanted to jump in before leaving the party. Should have taken a seamless paper backdrop with me (the brown carpet and walls are not so punk rock), but in the end I poo poo’d the idea of dragging down the softbox, light and a giant 107″ roll of paper plus stand. 🙂
And here are some of the party details. I went a little overboard and designed a whole “brand” for Adeline’s party, right down to the little punk girl graphic that looked just like Addie and her own site (adelinebrett.com) was transformed for the party! I got so involved in the festivities and just enjoying watching my little girl have fun and be a total crazy girl that I never got to snap photos of the set up all complete, which was a bit of a bummer, but I don’t regret missing some silly photos in exchange for playing with my girls and being totally present in the moment. As many photos as you see here (and, yes indeed, there are a lot), they were taken very quickly so I could just enjoy the party and special moments without the camera in front of my face.
And in response to some of the nasty comments I received yesterday that I had to hide …
Note: There was no elaborate spending being done here, just the combination of lots of hard work and creativity as well as being lucky to pull some strings including being blessed with friends in the music industry, finding a space where the rental fee was going to a good cause to help teens in need, taking advantage of this mommy’s graphic design skills and making it all come together. This was a super fun gathering of family and friends in the middle of the holiday season and I really don’t see why I’ve heard so many negative comments about throwing a fun party for our loved ones to enjoy. Everyone had a blast, and we don’t regret it for a second. For her party next year she has asked for her friends to come over to our place in the country and pet her animals – that’s it. 🙂 She’s definitely not suffering from spoiled kid syndrome. And I suppose I have to be a little snotty and say, even if I did decide to spend a lot of money on my kid’s party and could afford to do so, ummmmm … who cares!? 😛
And while I realize the punk rock theme may not be for everyone, the party was for a little girl who absolutely adores music (and, yes, she loves some authentic but kid appropriate punk music in there as well). We have many friends in the music industry and who are musicians themselves (half the band are close friends of ours). She loves dance, music and art. Her mommy and daddy and all her friends also love music and everything creative … so it was a natural pick for her to have a party celebrating those loves. To each their own! I know that all her friends and our friends and family all LOVED it, so we’re good with it! I’d also like to say that our usual party is somewhere along the lines of pizza and friends in the backyard … but this was a unique and fun experience too. 😛
Oh my Annie! You are such a great mother, and both Addie and Eliza are so lucky to have you! This party looks like it was AMAZING!! I wish I could plan a party that great!! Looks like it was fun!!
So so cool 🙂 I want a birthday like that 🙂 Maybe my little girl will get a rock-birthday in the spring 🙂 thank you for sharing this. Many cool ideas, I just loved it!
WOW! How cool was that! You, photos, everything…looked awesome!
Amazing Annie. I know I’m a little old, but could you adopt me, please?! I love the graphics you made. So very creative. Thanks for sharing.
AMAZING! how DO you find the time?
Soooo amazing!!! Everything turned out SO awesome!! These are the memories that she will remember for a lifetime!! She will talk about this party for the rest of her life. 🙂
Oh my gosh, I love all of the pictures!!!!! such a creative and fun idea, you are truly amazing:-)
I don’t know….cute and creative but really??? She’s SIX………..
Like I said at the beginning – it wasn’t just for Addie – it was a FUN event for us, for all her friends and all our friends and family … it was a blast, don’t regret it for a second. For her party next year she has asked for her friends to come over to our place in the country and pet her animals. 🙂 She’s definitely not suffering from spoiled kid syndrome. To each their own! I know that all her friends and our friends and family all LOVED it, so we’re good with it!
OMG!! AMAZING and verry creative!
Wow Annie! Will you adopt me!!! LOL. This looks totally amazing and I’m so happy your little girl had a great time. She totally took on that rocker persona. And the tiny bottom! It was so darn cute! I love your kids clothes so much. Happy Birthday Ms. Adeline!
OMG, this is one amazing party!! Everything looks great, I’m sure Adeline had a ball!TFS
Ok, I officially think you are Superwoman. When do you find time in your day to pull off a party like that, on top of your business and simply being a mom??
These are awesome pics. What a great idea. Everyone looks like they had such a great time and I love the way you processed these pics.
These photos ROCK!!! Love seeing your work 😀 The energy in these pics are incredible!
you are the crazy cool mom ! crazy in a good way. what adorable pictures, but you’re making me miss not having a girl (mom of 3 boys) Love your stuff and love the fact that you like to help newbies like me get better…that’s huge!
Are you kidding me? This is FANTASTIC!!! You’re little girl must’ve been thrilled and to have seen the excitement on her face must’ve been worth all the long hours of work you put into it. Really WELL DONE! And the pictures are amazing! (Love the tiny bum 🙂 You can be really proud!
Wow Annie!
What a blast this must have been for all involved! There is nothing better then seeing your children’s excitement! The createivness is just amazing!!!
The pictures are awesome and the party looked amazing! You did a wonderful job and I’m sure Miss Addie will remember this for the rest of her life! Great job!
Oh Annie!!! Absolutely adorable!!!! Makes me want to be a kid again….your kid!! lol. Thank you so much for sharing a moment with us.
OMG, you and your family have the best life ever! Your kids are so lucky to have such a creative mommy! The photos are Awesome, I am sure she will never forget this party, and not just because you documented it so beautifully! Great job!!
Awesome! That has to be the coolest kid party ever!!! You really rocked it!
Fabulous photos Annie. Addie is such a great mixture of you both that’s unbeliveable. Sometimes I’m looking at the pics and thinking Oh Gosh she looks just like her mother and there are other times when I’m astonished how much she looks like her dad. So funny, it’s all in the face expression and eyes. You guys rock,seriously ROCK! Thank you for being such an inspiration to me.
And BTW The Junebug sweetie has a rock&roll bum 😉
Love to you all xxx
Cristina
brilliant! how fun… so putting that on my to -do list
Ha! There is always one jealous person in the bunch! Don’t even give it a second thought……Annie,you are so creative! What a fabulous party! I love to go all out for my kids too because its our ONE time a year our whole family can just let go and have fun.I believe if you work hard then you can play hard too.. 🙂 Kids are only little for such a short time so rock on..lol 🙂
Not sure I would do that theme for a 6-year-old, but you guys sure went all out! So creative!
Thanks for the complement on creativity. About the theme for a six year old – hmmm … while I realize it may not be for everyone, the party was for a little girl that absolutely adores music. She actually requested the rock themed party herself. We have many friends in the music industry and who are musicians themselves (half the band are close friends of ours). She loves dance, music and art. Her mommy and daddy and all her friends also love music and everything creative … so it was a natural pick for her to have a party celebrating those loves. We are pretty particular about what our kiddos play with, we don’t have a TV in the house and watch very carefully about what influences are around her. We let her choose her own interests and hobbies (which tend to be more pirates and rock than princess and dress up), she’s encouraged to celebrate her own unique talents and creativity, and she has no concept of many of the questionable “role models” being marketed to young girls today. So, I’ll just say again, to each her own … but I really do wonder what there is to question about a generic themed rock party to celebrate music and having silly kid appropriate fun. 🙂
I didn’t mean that in an offensive way at all, and I completely understand that if you guys love music than a rock theme is a great idea! I guess the only slight thing that bothered me was the “punk” on a 6-year-old, but you guys seem like great parents who really care about there kids, so there’s really no harm in things like that once in a while. Again, that party is definitely more than I could have pulled off- you should be a party planner too!
Thank you for sharing these with us! You never cease to amaze me! This party is awesome… you better watch out or you are going to find yourself having another job as a party planner! 🙂
Annie, can you tell me which lens you used for the party? Thanks!!
Annie, you are so creative, you could probably go into business as a party planner too! I just love this party theme and cannot wait for my daughter to be old enough for a birthday party like this! Addie makes the most perfect little punk rocker, right down to her rock face! I love that you and hubby also got into dressing up, what great parents you both must be! Your images show so much fun and love in them, YOU ROCK!
Do you sleep?! How do you find the time?! Just priceless – the pictures are treasures!
OH MY WORD!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE it all! I wish I could plan a party this fabulous =) Your girls and hubby are so lucky to have you. You are an inspiration to us all. Thanks for sharing your family with us everyday Annie. You ROCK!!!