The Princess' 8th birthday party

So prepare yourself for a picture overload.

When we discussed her birthday last year she had one wish only - she wanted a "Stop rhino poaching " party. A theme that left me a bit baffled as to how to execute, but very proud of her values and choices. Hunter stepped in with the final format and venue and a party idea was born. We held it almost a month after her birthday due to the start of the year madness and the ballet practices every Saturday. But at last it was this Sunday afternoon.

She invited 7 school friends, 2 family friends (all girls between 7 and 9) and a sprinkling of younger siblings and two older siblings to go rhino watching at the Rietvlei dam reserve. The rest, as they say, is better told in picture format:

The invites, party packs etc all featured a cartoon rhino, zebra stripes for  the graphic effect and hot pink for a bit of girly ness. We decided on cupcakes for ease of use in the bush environment and I added animal figurines, pearl cake decor and cake glitter.

The funfetti cupcakes, something I "discovered" one day when on a whim added funfetti to cupcake dough. It makes a delightful little colour display inside each cupcake.

Favour bags at the back and party packs in the front - washi tape to seal it all.

Her special rhino cupcake with black and white mixed icing

The party favours were little notebooks to decorate themselves - glitter glue and a glitter pen with some foam shapes. Big and small loved this.

Roosterkoek - yummy.

Boerewors and prego steaks

Then we had a game drive - just showing you a  few of the pictures I like.

I have never been more relieved to spot these two little ears

The guests of honour also arrived for the party to the Princess (and our) great joy.. We saw these two quite close, then 3 a bit later in the tall grass and just before we left another 3 on a hill.

She had a great time and I actually think that even the parents had a great time. She certainly had the most original party.