Ever since we had our first daughter, we have set family birthday traditions for the kids. When a daughter turns 6, we don’t hold a birthday party. Instead, we hold a 6th birthday pictorial.
Having Family Birthday Traditions
Birthdays for the kids are a big deal for our family. I really plan out something for them. It doesn’t have to be expensive or a big birthday bash.
The important thing is that it has a theme and they have a birthday cake with a candle to blow. And of course, there should be pictures. Those memories captured will remind them of the fun times they’ve had in their childhood.
Each year, we do something. It can be a birthday party or an activity. Or, we go together on a family travel, like Shawna’s 9th Birthday Adventure in Baguio City.
- Related: Hannah’s Cake Decors and Party Needs
What we try to make sure is, we give to Shane what we have given to Shawna. It’s our little way of telling them that we are treating them fairly, if not equally. No favoritism. It will keep us from answering difficult questions later.
In succeeding blog posts, I will write about our annual birthday traditions.
The Kids’ 6th Birthday Pictorial
When Shawna turned six years old four years ago, we held a 6th Birthday pictorial at Bacolod Cupcake Cafe. We bought her a new dress that was on sale and then we asked BCC to make a cake and cupcakes for her. Additionally, we bought a pink number 6 foil balloon. The color matched her dress.
Tito Ricco of BCC was kind enough to help us with the setup and we had a nice family pictorial there.
And now it is Shane’s turn. Since she’s crazy about unicorns, she wanted to have a unicorn cake, unicorn cupcakes, and of course, unicorn balloons. She got everything that she wanted.
Unicorn Onesies
Shane has been obsessed with anything and everything unicorn related — toys, accessories, and the like (she’d absolutely love anything from Wicked Uncle’s unicorn gift list, for example). Although we don’t normally buy her everything that she wants, she now has quite a collection of unicorns.
Several months ago, the SM Store had a super sale. We got a lot of stuff at half the price. Then we found unicorn onesies. They were not very expensive and had a 10% discount. It also had a further reduction of 10% if you had an SM Advantage Card.
We took the opportunity to buy the unicorn onesies for the kids. They love to play dress up and we just let them. Pretend play stimulates their creativity and we encourage that. So when there’s a good sale, we buy costumes for kids.
DIY Pictorial
By the way, I just want to mention that this is a DIY pictorial. We have our own mirrorless camera and tripod and we just use natural lighting.
Honestly, we just want to remember and celebrate the milestone but we don’t want to spend a lot. That’s because, we have decided to give them a birthday party where we invite friends on their 7th birthday. We did that for Shawna when she had her Belle-themed party. It’s not grand, but it was a party with invited guests, so we had to set aside a big chunk of the family budget for that.
More Pictures
So anyway, I am sharing pictures here of both girls for their 6th birthday pictorial. And my, have they grown! Pretty soon, we will have teenagers and I am not sure if we are ready for pubescence to hit us. hehe
For now, we are spending more time with them, talking to them, and not just their homeschooling lessons. This period will not last long and it won’t be long till they are no longer going to be dependent on us. For now, we have this set up and we will enjoy it. Quality time as much as we can.
Happy 6th Birthday, Shane!
Bacolod Cupcake Cafe
Hilado Street. MBG Bldg. Dr 1. (fronting Hua Ming Church and St John)
Bacolod City 6100 Philippines
FB page: Bacolod Cupcake Cafe
Find Bacolod City on the map.
LOVE DIY THEME PARTY SET UP is so cute and so timely that Unicorns are so very popular that you can find many variants to choose from.. Oh how we wish we could just buy it all for our kids. ? HAPPY 6TH Birthday SHANE!! ?
Thank you so much Ninay Pynky! <3
Happy Birthday, Shane! We are just so happy to see you grow happy, talented and smart.
By the way, I love this idea! It was indeed a colorful, fun and unique way of spending one’s 6th birthday.
Thank you Tita Clarice! I shall write more of our birthday traditions for the girls. Each year, we have a plan and a theme that is doable for the next child.
What an amazing birthday celebration!
I like the unique theme, Unicorns. I’m sure you enjoyed your day Shane!
Yes Tita Shine, Siobe was so happy even though we didn’t have a party. But as long as she’s surrounded by unicorns, she’s happy. Looks magical, isn’t it? 🙂
Im just thinking about where I can get me one of those unicorn onesies!!! So cute! And looks so comfortable, too. Would like to sleep in them on cold days. 🙂
I would have loved this party as a kid. I love all the bright colors. Unicorns are so magical. <3
This is legitimately the cutest thing I have seen today. Shane looks SO HAPPY and everything is so colorful. I wonder if I can have a unicorn birthday for my 36th…?
hahaha go for it! Unicorns are ageless. And yes, Shane was sooooo happy with her 6th birthday pictorial. 🙂
Happy Birthday! What a cute party! Unicorns are the best. I still love them as an adult.
Thank you Amber! I like unicorns, too! haha that is why I am so supportive of Shane’s obsession. When it was Shawna’s time, we were into Barbie. Now, she has outgrown them. But as for unicorns, I think they are ageless.. haha
Love the Unicorn theme! I love DIY parties. I have yet to do a Unicorn themed birthday party though! Cute photos!
Thank you Nicole! Do it! Unicorns are so much fun! 🙂
I think that family birthday traditions are very important. Kids will have definitely something to remember and the photos will bring back some great memories! 🙂 Nice setup for the unicorn theme! The unicorn cake looks awesome! 🙂
Thank you Natalia! I super love the unicorn cake and cupcakes. They taste good, too. 🙂
A birthday pictorial is such a cute idea! They’re going to look back on these photos when they’re older and be so grateful for the memories. Birthdays should always be celebrated, even if it’s not a huge party. I think this is the perfect way to commemorate it!
I am thinking of putting the photos of our unicorn pictorial in a photobook so that they can check on their happy memories when they are older. 🙂
I love that you found a cute unicorn onesie for photos! I definitely agree with trying to keep things even and fair with kids as much as possible.
I know right? Too cute to handle. And I got the unicorn costumes on sale, too. 🙂
Yeah, we are all about fairness in the family. While we may not give them the same, but we try to equal them for both kids.
Love the unicorn theme, especially how you translated it to the cake and the onesies. What a fun birthday celebration. A pictorial with costumes!
The unicorn onesies are truly love. Our girls are into costumes and pretend play. So this was perfect for them. 🙂 Though our eldest feels awkward already. Pre-teen coming soon! haha
This is such a magical and memorable unicorn photo shoot for a 6 year old. Well done on making it so unicorn perfect for a perfect little girl. <3
Thank you Vicky! I try. haha At the least cost possible. 🙂
Happy birthday to your daughter Shane! Love the unicorns. The setup looks magical!
Thank you Ada! It’s so magical indeed. We all love unicorns in the house. Except probably our Papa. hahaha
What a cute and fun birthday theme. Unicorns are so cute! Your daughter seems to be really happy, especially in her unicorn costume. What a joyful and lovely memories you bring to her life.
Happy Birthday Shane! I love all the pics. I also love the unicorns and the costumes, what a great theme. This is such a memorable and magical moment for your daughter. She will cherish these happy memories forever. Great job mommy and what a great idea!
Thank you, Holly!
How I wish to get this motif when I was young. The props and party decors look colorful and way too adorable. The unicorn cake looks fantastic also.
I know right? I would have loved this, too, if I was still a kid. But then, who’s really stopping us from having unicorn themed birthday parties in our grown up years, right? hahaha Let’s do it!
I love the DIY Theme Party Set-Up, it’s so cute! The unicorn theme is so magical. I also love the cake, looks so cute too. What a great and memorable birthday party for Shane.