The HyVee Grocery Store Party

Natalie loves both going to HyVee and pretending to grocery shop in our basement. So when it came time to plan her third birthday party, there was really no better option than to recreate HyVee in our very own basement. It was wonderful. For all who've asked, here's exactly how it went...

Little Shoppers

When you shop at HyVee as a child, you get free stuff on every visit. A cookie, a drink, a slice of cheese, a bandaid, a balloon, a ride on the horse...It's a little slice of heaven. So, I got all into it and made up the basement. My favorite part of the whole party was before it even started. Natalie walked down to the basement for the first time since I'd decorated and said, "Oh, Mommy. It's beautiful. This was a really good idea." I adore her. Anyways, we borrowed shopping carts from everyone we knew. Every little shopper had an official HyVee name badge, a reusable shopping bag, a wallet with their name on it and a cart, of course.

They came right in and found their letter on the carpet and had a seat. This is the puppet stage/bakery before the show began. Anyways, the kids sat and the puppets came on, welcoming them and explaining how the grocery shopping would work. Rudy the Racoon and Gymbo also handed out each wallet one by one to the kiddos.

These are just a few more photos of the decor.

HyVee was so kind as to give us the same cups they use at the store...lids, straws and all.

This little shopper brought her own cart. It was adorable watching those boots walk that cart right up our sidewalk.

The wallets we handed out contained 5 colored pieces of cardstock, a picture shopping list and play money. The shoppers first task was to find 5 grocery items that matched their colors and put them in their carts.

This is Natty searching for her colors.

Sierra was her helper. She shares Natalie's birthday, so she was a perfect choice. That, and Natalie adores her.

Then they checked out at the official checker lady on aisle 3. After they paid, they were given real change to use in the gumball machine to get Skittles.

This is the BFF of the B-Day girl, checking out.

Only one measly check out lane at this store.

My child refuses to smile 80% of the time on camera. I suppose waiting in line, on your birthday, can be quite frustrating!

Our official checkout lady, Olivia.

After everyone found all their item, returned their carts and ate their Skittles, they headed back to the carpet to find their Lists. The list had pictures of the cheese, bandaid, balloon, drink and cookie. They had to match the pictures to the signs in each dept. They actually did it too!

This is Natalie in the Cafe, pouring her own water...

and getting her own ice. It was fun having them do it themselves. I mean, what more does a 3 year old want than to "do it myself!"

The cookie from the bakery.

Again, refusing to smile. It's her party and she'll frown at the camera if she wants to...

until she WANTS to smile. Cheese and cheese.

After they found everything on their list, they also got to go for a ride on Henry the HyVee horse. Not nearly as cool as the real thing, but it was still cute.

Then it was song and present time!

And of course, a little time at the end for free play with the cash register.

Here's Natalie at the after party upstairs, enjoying her new ironing board that came complete with a pink and orange water bottle.

All in all, I'd have to say it was the most fun I've had a party in a while. I love watching kids pretend and I really love celebrating the life of my child. What a day.