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Let’s Talk About: An Under the Sea Birthday

 

Putting on a birthday party for a dozen toddlers when you are almost 9 months pregnant is no easy task. Luckily my daughter knew exactly what theme she wanted for her birthday party months ago so I could start preparing in plenty of time. We are big Disney fans in our family so when she said she wanted to incorporate “Finding Nemo” and “The Little Mermaid” this year, I knew combining them into an Under the Sea birthday party was the way to go!

 

Birthdays were huge for my family and me growing up and I strongly desire to pass down that same tradition to my children. We end up celebrating over more than one day, often an entire week. Plus this year, I knew this was going to be my daughter’s last birthday before another sibling came along, so I went a little above and beyond to make it extra special.

 

We started our Under the Sea birthday month by going to see her first theater movie, Finding Dory. We were lucky that it was still playing at a local discount theater near our home. We bought popcorn and she ended up loving the experience and watching the entire movie. We did, however, choose seats with no one next to us or in front of us so she had the freedom to stand up, walk around, and ask questions throughout the movie without disturbing anyone else.

 

On her actual birthday, we continued our Under the Sea birthday adventure and took her to the Legoland Aquarium and explored all of the sea life we could, including the tank that included “Nemo” and “Dory” in it.

 

The weekend after her birthday, we had her Under the Sea birthday party with some of her local friends. One of the first jobs I was ever offered was to be party planner and at one point I thought that was what I wanted to do with my career. I love to plan parties and try to incorporate every detail I possibly can to go along with the theme. I spent a lot a lot of time on Etsy and Pinterest comparing possibilities and picking my favorites. Here are some of the shops I collaborated with for some of the décor, food, and invitations:

 

Invitations: Little Birdie Prints https://www.etsy.com/listing/387072238/under-the-sea-invitation-girl-pink-under?ga_search_query=under+the+sea&ref=shop_items_search_8

 

Tent Cards: Lemon Bells https://www.etsy.com/listing/286347761/printed-mermaid-food-tent-cards-mermaid?ga_search_query=under+the+sea&ref=shop_items_search_7

 

Water Bottle Labels: Party Innovations 09 https://www.etsy.com/listing/128855421/printable-under-the-sea-birthday-water?ga_search_query=under+the+sea&ref=shop_items_search_12

 

Cupcake Toppers: Fairfable https://www.etsy.com/listing/275230732/sea-life-cupcake-toppers-22-ocean?ga_search_query=sea+life++cupcake+toppers&ref=shop_items_search_3

 

Bubble Party Favors: Mad Hatter Party Box https://www.etsy.com/listing/287392111/under-the-sea-favor-under-the-sea-bubble?ga_search_query=under+the+sea+bubble+favors&ref=shop_items_search_1

 

Cake/Cupcakes: Sweet Little Baker http://www.sweetlittlebaker.com She not only makes amazing cakes, she also makes cupcakes, macaroons, cake pops, cookies, and more!

 

I made the rest of the décor myself using party items from Party City, including the seaweed and the jellyfish. I also made the Candy Sushi, the Sand Dollar cookies, the Crab sandwiches, and the Starfish sandwiches myself (with my husband’s help of course). We also had a collection of candy gummy sharks, gummy worms (bait), and goldfish. We also had an area outside where the children could make a “Nemo” aquarium sensory bottle!

 

Once all of the food and décor was planned, it came time to pick her mermaid attire. I specifically hand picked certain shops to collaborate with on these items since they were very important to my daughter. First, I picked out her mermaid tail. There are a lot of fantastic shops that make high quality mermaid tails but they were not in my budget. Luckily I am an avid Amazon shopper and was able to find a blue mermaid tail for less then $20 in her size. Technically the mermaid tail was open at the bottom and was walkable, but knew it wouldn’t last long, so I also bought some mermaid leggings for $16 on Etsy from Aribella Collections https://www.etsy.com/listing/455290408/baby-toddler-girls-little-mermaid?ref=shop_home_active_13

 

Then I picked out her top. Since she is only 3, I didn’t want her to wear a bikini top or shells or something of that sort, I wanted her to be covered up but in something festive and that matched the mermaid tail she desperately wanted to wear at her party. Since she was going to wear a blue tail/leggings and we were having a lot of clownfish orange in the décor, so naturally I wanted a blue and orange combination. I found the lovely and talented Jenine Addison from Addison’s Custom Design. This superlady is the mom to a 3-year-old boy and an 8-month-old boy, runs her own shop, and goes to nursing school. The direct link to her shop is here https://www.etsy.com/shop/addisonscustomdesign?ref=l2-shopheader-name And here is the direct link to the custom shirt order she created for me https://www.etsy.com/listing/471860064/mermaid-birthday-outfit-mermaid-birthday?ref=hp_rf I love her shop because she is quick to respond, pleasant to communicate with, and can customize almost anything you desire. She makes quality clothing and will make any celebration memorable whether it’s a birthday party, a holiday, or another milestone as she has over 55 items in her shop you can customize! And she is generously offering a 10% discount for you! Use PARENT10 at checkout to take advantage of this amazing deal!

 

Lastly a mermaid needs mermaid shoes! I was scrolling through Instagram late one night and literally hit the jackpot while coming across a shop called Bina’s Blooms. The shop owner, Sabrina Sohl Garcia, is incredible and like the owner who made her birthday shirt, this talented woman is also a nursing student, a successful shop owner and a mom! She began sewing at 14-years-old, which was passed down from her mom and Oma. I also love the fact that she is also from Southern California. I love this shop because she has so much to offer and such a pleasure to work with. The styles of her booties are gorgeous and perfect for girls and boys! Besides the mermaid booties that I instantaneously fell in love with, she also makes Pow Wow booties that are comic book by nature and a super fun design. All of her booties are lined with soft fleece and are very cozy for little feet! To buy her electric blue mermaid booties click here http://www.binasblooms.com/product/mermaid-booties and to shop for any other items click here http://www.binasblooms.com/products To find her on Instagram for sales and new products, follow her here https://www.instagram.com/binasblooms/ And she is offering all of you a 20% discount code by using PARENTOLOGIST20 at checkout!!

 

 

The conclusion of her Under the Sea birthday month included a trip to Disneyland. A mom as pregnant as myself had no business going to Disneyland, but I remind you that we have annual passes and only went for a few hours each day and went very slow and took a lot of rests. The key is going on rides with quick lines and watching a lot of shows that you can sit for long periods of time, which is easy to do with a toddler! The most important reason we went was to take her to have lunch with various princess characters at Ariel’s Grotto in the Disney’s California Adventure Park. She was able to wear her mermaid birthday attire once again and meet The Little Mermaid herself. It was a very special experience and a very special birthday. If you ever go, make a reservation in advance and request to sit outside so you have a beautiful view of the park. Not only will your little one meet Ariel one-on-one, he or she will also meet four other princesses that visit your table and take photos and sign autographs. Plus, she was able to have a complimentary birthday cupcake and was sang “Happy Birthday” by the server!

 

Not every birthday will be this extravagant but as a mom, seeing the smile on her face all month long was all I needed to know she felt special, loved, and happy. And that was what mattered to me the most.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Hello! I am Dr. Kim and I am The Parentologist! I am first and foremost a wife and a mom. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I hope through my professional and personal experience we can collaborate with each other on how to better ourselves and our relationships with our families and our children.

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TODAY.com Parenting Team Parenting Contributor

About Dr. Kim

Hello! I am Dr. Kim and I am The Parentologist! I am first and foremost a wife and a mom. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist. I hope through my professional and personal experience we can collaborate with each other on how to better ourselves and our relationships with our families and our children. Read More…

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🇺🇸 What a monumental day in history we had t 🇺🇸 What a monumental day in history we had today! 🇺🇸

As soon as we woke up I started educating my children, specifically my daughter, on what the inauguration meant and why today was such a special day in history. We both were glued to the television as we watched @kamalaharris be sworn in as the first Black South Asian woman Vice President and @joebiden be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States. We also were powerfully moved hearing @amandascgorman - the youngest inaugural poet in history recite “The Hill We Climb.” 

My daughter was so excited to participate and recite the Pledge of Allegiance with the rest of the county and she was so proud to see and be a part of history in the making. I haven’t been to Washington D.C. in about 8 years but I promised I would take her one day when the pandemic is over. 

In the meantime, I have a fun fact for you! Did you know that President Joe Biden and I both graduated from the same university? Yep! We both went to @syracuseu 🍊 And in fact, @joebiden is the first @syracuseu alumnus to become President of the United States! 

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This time of year is notorious for dry air, allerg This time of year is notorious for dry air, allergies, and sinus trouble. #ad 

And since I work from home, it can get quite noisy and distracting with my husband and two children here, so sometimes I get my best work done in the comfort of my own bed. And the best part is that I can have my new @crane_usa “4 in 1” cool mist humidifier on at all times with essential oils to help with overall wellness and since it comes with a sound machine I can block out the other noises in the house! 

And at night, it helps my sinuses as I sleep, especially when the dry air of the heater is on, and it has a nightlight so my kids can see where they are going in the middle of the night when they inevitably need water or a hug! 

This is our 6th #cranehumidifier style and it’s my favorite one yet! Check out my stories for a closer look! 👀 #happyhealthyhumidity 

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{New Blog Post} “How to Teach Children Gratitude {New Blog Post} “How to Teach Children Gratitude” 🌱✨🌸

Throwing it back to one of the first mommy and me photos I ever posted on my feed because I’ve been teaching my daughter about gratitude since she was this little, possibly even younger (she is two here for reference)! 

Gratitude is such an important virtue and must have trait to build a child’s character. It also shows therapeutic benefits when you show gratitude to others, so why wouldn’t you want to make it a priority to teach and instill in your children? 

In this blog, I have suggestions for how to teach children gratitude broken down by ages and stages from infancy to teenage years, while also including some conversation prompts, and links to my favorite gratitude journals for busy families that we use here at home! 

Find the direct link to read in my bio and stories! I also published similar articles on @todayparents and @redtricycle if you follow me there! #drkimblog
DOUBLE TAP if you agree!! 🙋🏼‍♀️ I am DOUBLE TAP if you agree!! 🙋🏼‍♀️

I am that mom who wants to do it all and when I get overwhelmed or start suffering from a major case of burnout, I feel guilty if I take a break instead of giving my body and mind permission to slow down or even stop. 

As moms we often feel guilty if we take a break or believe we are perceived as weak if we ask for help. I have learned that the more I ask for help and the more time I take for myself, the better I am for my children. 

Guilt is an emotional response to something you perceived you did wrong, but when you experience unnecessary guilt, it’s counterproductive to healing and helping you with what you need most. So give it a try and let me know how you are going to take a break and not feel guilty about it this week below in the comments! ⤵️ #drkimparentingtips #theparentologist #drkimparentingadvice
DOUBLE TAP if you used to love Hello Kitty when yo DOUBLE TAP if you used to love Hello Kitty when you were little - and still do! 🙋🏼‍♀️🐱#ad

I am so excited to have all of these new items from the @erincondren Hello Kitty collection that launched today to keep work fun, playful, and reminiscent of childhood - something all adults need a little more of, am I right? 

The collection is all about organization, kindness, and friendship. My favorite piece of the collection is the “Daily Kindness and Joy Journal” that boldly says BE KIND, BE NICE, REPEAT on the front cover but I am also pretty obsessed with the Hello Kitty x Erin Condren Pencil Case and Vegan Leather Padfolio! 

Swipe to see my business attire on top and activewear on the bottom work style! 😉 And head to my stories to see it all up close and for your convenience I have everything linked for you http://liketk.it/35XZC and make sure to follow me at THEPARENTOLOGIST @liketoknow.it  for more of my favorites!!! #liketkit #erincondren
{New Blog Post} “Sensory Play, Pretend Play, and {New Blog Post} “Sensory Play, Pretend Play, and Role Play Ideas for Children with Autism” 🧩 🧸 🚂 ⚽️ 
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For the last 3 years I have spent my career therapeutically helping families and children of all ages on the Autism Spectrum. Play has been a fundamental way for many of my clients to communicate if they are non-verbal. And some of my clients have had to be taught how to play with a toy or another person. The play ideas listed on the blog can be used with children with or without special needs. Play is a universal way a child can explore their world in a way that makes sense to them and cultivate imagination, creativity, and fun! As a Registered Play Therapist, I love the work I do and couldn’t be prouder of the progress my clients have made with play over the years! #drkimblog
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{New Blog Post} ✨🌱🧴“Ways to Take Control {New Blog Post} ✨🌱🧴“Ways to Take Control of Your Eczema” #ad 
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These winter months have been so dry and my eczema has been flaring up. Can anyone relate? For decades I have used a variety of treatment options from over-the-counter ointments and lotions to doctor prescribed steroid medication. In today’s blog, I am partnering with @mediqcme to share more of my story and struggles with atopic dermatitis as well as some new treatment options! If you or a loved one suffer from eczema or atopic dermatitis it’s a must read! 
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Plus there is a survey at the end of the blog you can fill out and opt in to be entered to win 1 of 10 VISA gift cards! 🙌🏻 Link in bio and in stories! #itchyskinhelp #drkimblog
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{New Blog Post} 🌿 “How to Utilize Play to Get {New Blog Post} 🌿 “How to Utilize Play to Get Your Kids to Do What You Want” 
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As a Registered Play Therapist, play is the foundation to the way I help children conceptualize and conquer the world. Play is second nature to children and the way they respond to many of life’s obstacles. Sometimes as parents, it is easy to get into a power match with your children, especially when you want your children to comply with a request and they won’t budge. When this happens, we need to change the way our adult mind thinks and switch it to the way a child thinks. Instead of giving them a punitive consequence, try these play recommendations that can be used with children as young as toddlerhood all the way to adolescents! #drkimblog 
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#playtherapy #playtherapist #therapistsofinstagram #playoutsidethebox #learningthruplay #playbasedlearning #learningthroughplay #learningisfun #parenting #parentingtips #parenting101 #parentingteens #parentingtweens #parentingtoddlers #parentingadvice #parentingexpert #parentingblogger #parentingblog #newblogpost #ontheblog #momswhoblog #parenthood #toddlerproblems #toddlermom #behaviortherapist #behaviortherapy #positiveparentingsolutions #positiveparentingtips #positiveparenting
{New Blog Post} “Tips on How To Set Goals Effect {New Blog Post} “Tips on How To Set Goals Effectively in 2021” ✨ 
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It’s is usually around this time that I start thinking of the goals I want to accomplish for the year. And whether you believe in making resolutions, affirmations, or goals, it is time to be proactive!! On the blog, I outlined an organizational system I use year after year to help me accomplish my goals. And I hope they work for you!! 
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What are some of your goals you want to accomplish this year? 
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#2021 #2021goals #goals #goalsetting #goalgetter #goalsettingtips #goalsetter #goalsetting2021 #goalcrusher #momhustle #snowday #snowman #newgoals #newgoals2021 #mommyandme #letthembelittle #letthembekids #letthemplay #playoutside #playoutdoors #playoutsidethebox #familyday #familyfun #familysnowday
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