Zia turns 5

For my daughter's 5th Birthday, she set her animal-loving heart on ponies, but she also wanted me to incorporate a rainbow theme because she loves color. Since I design poms for my etsy shop, I figured a Pom Poms and Ponies party was the best way to go! Thankfully, we have the beautiful Haile Equestrian Center just minutes from our home.

The girls did crafts, rode ponies, groomed the animals, and even got to geed the ponies. It was a hit!

• What People Ate

  Caprese Salad in a jar made by my sister, Sara. Since the party was literally inside a barn, I didn't want to bring open containers for the food. The jars were a practical and gorgeous way to serve the adults' food. The kids had boxed lunches with PBJs inthe shape of a pony, carrots, and pretzels.

• What People Drank

  pink lemonade and water

• Desserts

  My husband baked the 6-layer pastel rainbow naked cake. I've been crushing on naked cakes for a while. The idea of not feeding my children so much icing somehow makes me feel better about all the other sweets they have. My kids usually end up eating the icing and leaving the cake, but not this time. They were so enthralled by the hues they ate it with a smile. The colors added a nice touch to the display as well.

• Party Favors

  Each child got to take home a drawstring tulle pom canvas gift bag with a horse necklace adorned with a mini pom (another one of my favorites). The bags also had candy necklaces inside, my daughter's favorite.

• Activities / Games

  The kids had two crafts, pony sun catchers with tissue aper, and wooden pony shapes to color with markers. They also got to ride the ponies, pet them, groom them, and even feed them carrots!

• Funniest Moment

  When a horse sneezed during a picture. The face we caught on camera was priceless!

• Favorite detail

  I loved the birthday poster Claudia from TiniPosh made for my girl. It added a warm and elegant personal touch to our outdoor space.I displayed it on the easel we used for the flowers at my mom's funeral. It was a simple way to feel connected to her at the party.

• Claudia (TiniPosh)

  Graphic Designer

  http://www.facebook.com/tiniposh

• Debra (TiTi's TuTu's)

  Decorations

  http://www.titistutus.etsy.com

• Eric Walters

  Cake designer

• Sara Zamot

  Caterer

• Loyda Zamot

  Entertainment

• Cynthia Walters

  Florist