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Frozen

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As a parent, how do you begin letting go?

Today, my firstborn, my first baby, the little ball of warm, fuzzy goodness that came into my world and flipped it upside down, the very same kid who turned me into the woman I was always meant to be, made me a mother. That beautiful, amazing, smart, funny, caring, loving little girl turns 9-years-old and my heart is full and busting wide open. I get a bit of an emotional wreck every year at this time. I know growing up means one day she will be a grown woman living on her own with children of her own, maybe somewhere far away from me. That thought is like a dagger to my fragile mommy heart…today.

Bella, Frozen, Birthday Party, Elsa, Olaf, Anna, Cristophe

When did this sweet, docile baby who clung to my finger for dear life as I held her in a crowded room or became inconsolable the moment I left her sight become this independent, headstrong, prepubescent goddess? She is truly everything good, kind and beautiful in the world. She’s made my life better since the day I knew she was part of it.

My little bean, even though she is not so little anymore, has made me into a better version of myself; a kinder and gentler woman. She deserves doting and inspirational. She deserves a mother who loves her completely and unconditionally with honesty and integrity. She deserves safety, advocacy and everlasting admiration. She deserves a mother who makes her feel like she can do anything in the world and knows that even if she fails, she should always try and even if she doesn’t succeed this time, she can cry on her mom’s shoulder and I will lift her up to try again.

My daughters are my life. I am not ashamed to admit it and on days like today, I am painfully aware of just how brief this part of motherhood lasts. Just yesterday she was being born, learning to walk, talk and I was the most important person in the world to her.

Bella, Frozen, Birthday Party, Elsa, Olaf, Anna, Cristophe

Today, she depends on me a little less to survive and our relationship is evolving and changing every single day. My role is changing. But there is one role that will never change, I will always love her more than everything and I will always try my damnest to help her achieve her dreams no matter how big or small. I’ve begun joking with her and her sister that I am in the business of making dreams come true for the two of them.  This past weekend, that meant a kick ass Frozen birthday party.

Bella, Frozen, Birthday Party, Elsa, Olaf, Anna, Cristophe

It took me a couple months to prepare for. It took a lot of thought and perusing Pinterest but it was totally worth it. There was food and cake and beautiful decorations all punctuated by lots of love and family and best friends. My, not so little, little girl woke up on Saturday morning after a night fueled by excitement and anticipation. The house was transformed into a magical winter wonderland fit for a Queen. Her sister and she oohed and aahhed and then it was time for her metamorphosis into Queen Elsa.

Bella, Frozen, Birthday Party, Elsa, Olaf, Anna, Cristophe

Bella, you are my sunshine and my heart. I love you to the moon and back…I love you so much more than that! No matter what you do, where you go or who you become my love for you will never change. Happiest of 9th birthdays, my wonderful girl. XOXO

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Just know, my love, that the hardest part of loving you is the letting go.

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Frozen, Elsa, Frozen Party, frozen recipes, #disneyside, Disney, Olaf, Anna

Bella’s Frozen party is fast approaching so I have been searching the internet (especially Pinterest) high and low for how to pull off a Frozen birthday party that will have my daughter smiling ear-to-ear.  Earlier this week, I shared with you how to make an Elsa costume which turned out fantastic. Today, I am sharing the great Frozen recipes that I found.

They can all be found on my Pinterest board #Disneyside Frozen Party Ideas.

disney-frozen-party-blue-punch-with-snowballs, Frozen, Elsa, Frozen Party, frozen recipes, #disneyside, Disney, Olaf, Anna

Our first order of business for our Frozen party was the perfect punch. Blue Party Punch with Snowballs by Comfy in the Kitchen fit the bill. This is a super easy punch that looks gorgeous and tastes even better! Aside from the sweet, fizzy bubbles from the carbonation the ice cream snowballs will be sure to delight the little ones.

disney-frozen-party-hot-chocolate-Frozen, Elsa, Frozen Party, frozen recipes, #disneyside, Disney, Olaf, Anna

It wouldn’t be a Frozen party without a Hot Chocolate bar by Joyful Details – how perfect are these for a Frozen-themed party?  I love the idea of hot chocolate on a cold day, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and Pirouettes.  This is such a simple delight that all children ( young and old) will love to sip on.

Frozen party, Frozen, Elsa, Olaf, Anna, #DisneySide Disney, recipes

OK, Gabs is dressing as Olaf for our Frozen party so this Snowman Snack Mix by Spoonful is the perfect build a snowman snack!  Snowman parts tossed together in a bowl makes for an adorable display and I am sure that you will find the little people assembling their own tiny army of Olafs and it tastes pretty good too!

The movie FROZEN mentions three foods specifically: chocolate, carrots and sandwiches. So, of course, they must all make an appearance.

Frozen, Elsa, Frozen Party, frozen recipes, #disneyside, Disney, Olaf, Anna, chocolate fountain

So we are having mini sandwiches, a white chocolate fountain to dip strawberries in  ( Remember, Anna’s Frozen Heart) and having a veggie tray with carrots as a tribute to Olaf.

What would you add? What is your favorite Frozen party recipe?

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Elsa, Frozen, costume, how to make an Elsa costume

How to make an Elsa Costume? My girls loved Frozen and there are no Elsa costumes to be found….anywhere. We are in desperate need of an Elsa costume. My girls have Elsa on the brain and want to eat, sleep and be Elsa. We are living in a Frozen state of mind over here and I am not even referring to the below zero temperatures and 4 foot of snow in my front yard. I am talking all things Elsa, Olaf, Anna, Sven and Cristophe. I am talking Let it Go, all day every day. I am talking sisterly love and all things winter.

I am talking I need to know how to make an Elsa costume right now!

My Bella is turning 9 next Monday and so we are throwing the Frozen party to end all parties because what else do you do for the soon to be 9-year-old who is gaga for Elsa and completely obsessed with her own #Disneyside. Every year, the girls have had themed birthday parties and every year there have been costumes. Yes, Costumes! There have been Fairies, Dora, Fancy Nancy, Pink Poodles in Paris, Moulin Rouge, Alice in Wonderland, 60’ peace and Love and a pajama party. We’ve had Princesses, Tinker Belle, Fancy Nancy again, Madeline, Rocker chicks and butterfly magic. Costumes .every.single.time and sometimes even a Harlem Shake.

This year, we had to have Frozen themed Party and Bella wanted an Elsa costume. Only, if you have been online or to the Disney store, you know that there are no Frozen costumes left unless you go to eBay and pay with your first-born.  I’d prefer to keep my first-born. Think I could just hire Elsa to come reign over this Frozen soiree and use her magic? That would make life so much easier for all of us and absolutely unforgettable for my own little princess.

READ ALSO: What is Disney Creator Days and How to Get Invited

My girls are both pretty tall so the only dress up dress that my 8-year-old can wear at 4’ 9” are Disney because they go up to size XL (if you buy them on grounds) but since we live in the middle of the country, we must improvise.

Last year, we started hitting garage sales and vintage stores in search of costumes from ballet productions, prom and wedding dresses. The girls have gotten some really beautiful dresses to play dress up in and make great costumes. Remember Halloween’s Magenta costume?

READ ALSO: Recipes for the Perfect Frozen Party

I am not a seamstress, wish I were, but I am creative and I can hand-stitch the hell out of anything and just so happens that I have a Mother-in-law who can sew anything. The only things that surpasses her sewing abilities is her imagination and her big heart.

Frozen, Elsa, Frozen themed party, birthday party, how to make an Elsa CostumeFrozen, Elsa, Frozen themed party, birthday party, how to make an Elsa Costume, olaf, christophe, anna, Frozen

 

So, we scoured our supply and found a beautiful prom dress that could be perfect except it was lavender. Everyone knows Elsa’s dress is that beautiful shimmery bluish/green. I set out to try to dye it.

I bought some Dylon dye in Bahama blue at Walmart. I went home, rinsed and drained the $3 garage sale prom dress. Followed the directions on the Dylon Dye ( mixed it with 4 cups of warm water to dissolve. Filled the sink up with lukewarm water and 4 teaspoons of salt, mixed well and submerged the entire dress into the sink. Then proceeded to mix well for 45 minutes. I used my hands. I suggest using rubber gloves. I did not and have the bluish hued hands to prove it.

Frozen, Elsa, Frozen themed party, birthday party, how to make an Elsa Costume, olaf, christophe, anna, Frozen

I can tell you that I learned a valuable lesson; polyester prom dress shells do not dye. The lavender shell turned more of a grey silver (perfect in my mind) and all the lavender fabric flowers with sparkly glitter on the overlay turned that gorgeous bluish/greenish color of Elsa’s dress.  It looks amazing and only cost me $6.00.

READ ALSO: How to have a Quality Fashion Wardrobe on a Budget

The dress is strapless and Elsa’s has sleeves, so we are using silver sparkly gloves that come to just above my daughter’s elbow. The infamous sparkly cape? Well, while rummaging through fabric remnants at Grandma’s house we found the perfect 2.5 yards of sheer fabric with sparkly shimmer already on it. Grandma gave it a seam and made it into a cape that can easily attach to the back straps of Elsa’ dress.

Frozen, Elsa, Frozen themed party, birthday party, how to make an Elsa Costume, olaf, christophe, anna, Frozen

 

To complete the look, I will be spraying Bella’s hair white and putting it into a loose French braid and she will be wearing silver sandals that she already had around the house.

Frozen, Elsa, Frozen themed party, birthday party, how to make an Elsa Costume, olaf, christophe, anna, Frozen

The entire costume cost me $6.00 versus $200 on eBay. Even if you don’t just happen to have an old prom dress laying around the house for dress-up purposes, why not repurpose one of your old Bridesmaids outfits (God knows you’ll never wear it again), hit the local Goodwill or just use an old flower girl dress of your child’s. The dye I picked up matched the color perfectly. The packet says it dyes ½ pound to the color of on the package. The dress I dyed was 11 pounds and I only used one packet. It dyed it to the perfect shade.

Elsa, Frozen, costume, how to make an Elsa costume

 

Frozen, Elsa, Frozen themed party, birthday party, how to make an Elsa Costume, olaf, christophe, anna, Frozen

We’re not all great seamstresses and I am here to tell you that with a little imagination and ingenuity, you can make all your child’s Frozen dreams come true. Now, to get started on my youngest’s Olaf costume. Oh, you thought she’d want to be Anna? Nope, she likes to break the mold. I’ll share her costume later this week and I will be showing all kinds of great crafts, decorating ideas and recipes to host your very own awesome Frozen party! I will also have plenty of photos this weekend with the complete hair, makeup and costume together. Can’t wait to share.

If you’ve made your own Elsa costume, feel free to leave a link to it in the comments!

Elsa, Frozen, costume, how to make an Elsa costume

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Disney, Anna, Elsa, Frozen

We’ve been waiting for Disney’s latest picture Frozen and it’s finally here! This morning we took our girls to see Disney’s Frozen.  I will be honest, I wasn’t expecting much from the movie. Don’t get me wrong, I am a big Disney fan but from the promos it looked very hokey. I think it was Olaf the snowman. Very cute but I just had no idea what the lesson of the movie was going to be.

I found out pretty quickly.

Frozen is the charming tale about two princesses who are sisters, Elsa (Idina Menzel), the eldest child of the King and Queen of Arendelle, has the power to freeze things and Anna (Kristen Bell), the younger sister who admires her big sister.

After a small mishap with her powers, Anna is made to forget about Elsa’s powers and Elsa and Anna are separated as children. Soon after, the Queen and King are in a fatal accident and die. The girls are left with no one but each other and Elsa keeps herself away from her little sister, for fear that she will accidentally injure her again.

Time passes and the girls grow up and apart but at the heart of it all, they are still sisters and their love is a bond that not even time can alter. The day comes for Elsa to be crowned queen and with trepidation she opens the castle gates to the public once again. After years of being separated from one another and their subjects, the two girls are once again face-to-face.

The love is palpable but still, for Anna’s safety, Elsa must distance herself.

An incident occurs and again, Elsa finds herself feeling vulnerable and incapable of controlling her powers around people. She runs off into the frozen abyss and as her emotions run high, her powers freeze Arendelle.

Fearless optimist Anna sets off on an epic journey, teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and his loyal reindeer Sven, to find her sister Elsa, whose icy powers have trapped the kingdom of Arendelle in eternal winter. Encountering Everest-like conditions, mystical trolls and a hilarious snowman named Olaf (voice of Josh Gad), Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom.

On the way, they unexpectedly find love and Anna sacrifices her own safety to break through the icy exterior that surrounds Elsa’s heart. Her act of unconditional love proves once and for all to Elsa that love can conquer all and with your sister to support and love you, there is no obstacle too big and no winter too cold to weather.

I loved this movie so much because it was not about a princess who is saved by a prince charming, but about the love and bond that sisters share. In the end, Elsa’s one true love was her little sister, Anna, because no matter the time that had passed or the incredible circumstances that they had to muddle through, her sister was always there for her.

Anna’s selfless kindness saved Elsa’s life and in turn, showed her that warmth emanated from within and in that moment, Elsa unfroze Arendelle and they all lived happily ever after.

This is one of my new favorite Disney movies, tied for first with The Princess Frog and Brave.

What’s your favorite Disney movie?

 

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