When I posted photos from my nephew’s Choo-Choo I’m Two birthday party and mentioned that his sister had had a Little House on the Prairie party for her fourth birthday, several readers commented and requested that I share snapshots. Here they are! As always, my sister-in-law put in a lot of work to make the event festive and fun.
The party took place in the basement of the church that my in-laws attend. The guests were mostly family, but my sister-in-law also invited several of my niece’s little friends, as well as their parents and siblings.
She made a covered wagon for the kids to play with and had several themed crafts and activities.
When they arrived, the kids were encouraged to “borrow a bonnet” to wear during the party.
The decor was all very cute and festive, especially the Laura Ingalls Wilder quotes written on chalk boards.
And what’s a birthday party without food? Don’t those pies just look incredible? Makes me want to reach through the screen and grab a slice.
I absolutely LOVE this! Growing up reading the books and taking a trip out west two summers ago with family to see some of the places where Laura lived, this party idea/pictures take me back to my childhood and one of my favorite time periods to learn about. Thanks for sharing! Anne is so creative, as always! 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the photos, Grace! I can totally relate to your love of LHOTP. Growing up, I read all the books and watched all the shows, and we, too, took a trip to some of the places Laura lived. Which locations did you visit? We went to De Smet SD, Walnut Grove MN, and Pepin WI.
Ellie
Aww, yay, that’s so neat! Those are the places we visited too! We flew into St. Paul/Minneapolis airport then rented a car and drove to Pepin for a couple of days, then to Walnut Grove (the festival was so fun! All the little girls dressed up!) and then to De Smet. Then back to Minneapolis where we went to Mall of America (have you been there? So neat!) and then finally home. The trip was about 10 days long. 🙂 Did you go to the pageants while in De Smet and Walnut Grove? I don’t know what months you visited; I think the pageants are only in summer…) 🙂 We went in July 2016. How fun that you went to the same places!
Sounds like a great trip! Haven’t been to Mall of America, but my cousins have, and they enjoyed it. Canada has a big mall (West Edmonton Mall in Alberta) that I have been to. It’s a similar size and has a waterpark, amusement park, hockey rink, etc. We weren’t in Walnut Grove during the pagent, unfortunately, but I saw pictures and it looked like a blast!
Ellie
Ellie Their is a Walnut Grove Illinois every time when we went down to Peoria Illinois their was a sign that said Walnut Grove I said that’s were Laura lived. I was kidding
I new Walnut Grove was in MN.
How funny!
I just love the party theme! And what fun activities for the little ones. I see one of my favorite Laura Ingalls Wilder quotes in the background of your second-to-last photo 🙂
Me too, Alicia. I was thrilled when I heard that my niece had requested a LHOTP 4th birthday party soon after her 3rd birthday (and she talked about it all year leading up to it, LOL). I was a huge Laura Ingalls Wilder fan growing up.
Ellie
What pies? Did I miss something?
The photo of the pies didn’t go through the first time, but I re-uploaded it. Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Ellie
I’m surprised that your family would hold a party with that theme, for many reasons.
First, Laura Ingalls Wilder was for a staunch Democrat with an outspoken voice when women weren’t generally encouraged to be involved with politics. She later became disenchanted with that political party and changed to what can only be described as a Libertarian. If you read her Little House books carefully, or read any of her later writings, you can pick up on that political leaning.
Also, the Little House books left out the real details of prairie life – disputes, diseases, death, and murders. Laura’s daughter Rose, who was much more involved in writing and publishing than her mother, made sure the books glossed over those details of her mother’s childhood life. But it’s not right to purposely downplay historical facts and romanticize what was very hard life for settlers. It’s also the time in our country’s history when the indigenous people were robbed of most of their land.
So I question choosing that theme for a child’s party, just as anyone would question a cowboys and Indians theme, a pirate theme, or any other controversial social theme. Is it fair to future generations to pretend about history?
Mr. Handsome requested that I ask you to explain why pirates are controversial. He’s very curious. 🙂
Ellie
I am curious too.
I don’t think anyone has to explain about pirates or piracy. Their history and their acts speak for themselves.
For real?
Ellie, Hi! In your chosen craft of writing you really do a lot of blogging and I bet you just love all the feed back you get in the comments! I’m being serious. As you once responded, you notice things after awhile. Like some critics that seem to want to close down the day! How do you appreciate their comments?! In this case the reiteration of every negative reason to not celebrated LHOTP has been given to us. But settlers did live then and they must have had a positive focus to keep on going! One lady I know has a cute home in the country with gardens, chickens for eggs, fresh well water, acres of land surrounding the property with trees and wild life, a big dining table and a wood stove in the dining living room, etc. It is positively dreamy to go there, although I get can get caught up in planting, weeding, canning, washing, and even sometimes bear sitings! That lady told me to do what she did, make the sacrifice of praise, in the midst of everything raise both hands up and praise the Lord! If we are serving the Lord in a way that all things are basically not illegal, immoral, or in some way wrong doing – then I think it takes some courage to just have faith and go ahead and do what we are doing. To not be blown about by every wind of who said so. In your case I think some of your courage must come from experience of comments, and I like that you share this experience with all of us readers!
I’m not the OP, but I know a lot of people would say since pirates were murders, rapists, and basically terrorists of the seas. Obviously little children don’t know this so I think it’s harmless for them to play treasure hunts, ships, etc. Also I would say to OP, the little house books were written for children, they weren’t supposed to be a full representation of what living out on the prairie was like.
If you do get an elaborated response about pirates will you post it?
Sure thing. Haven’t gotten one yet, though.
Not the orginal comment but my guess would be they are referencing the link to some pirates and Islamic terrorism. It’s a whole complicated thing. Don’t undertand people who don’t allow/hate on children/people who enjoy pirates though. There’s nothing wrong with anyone enjoying pirate stories or play. Just as there’s nothing wrong with playing cowboys and indians (at least to me there isn’t). Harmless fun that builds the imagination!
You sound like one of the Monument destroyers Anon. lol. If you are so upset over the indigenous people losing their land then what are you doing living on it? There are planes leaving everyday, going to everyone’s original homelands, so if it bothers you that bad, maybe go back home would be a good solution. Same deal for everyone else complaining about our Country. If you don’t like us, then leave, easy enough.
I didn’t write the original comment. I want to mention though if you were born and grew up in the United States you have very few options to move to another country even if you wanted to. Most don’t want to leave, they are just critiquing a part of history. Although I think it is important to remember what happened to the native Americans, it unfortunately can’t be undone. I still think it’s a cute party theme for children.
I agree that it’s important not to hide history everybody should know how north american history is founded on a genocide, but still, with four year olds you can let it go for a while! I’m sure she will learn history in school. 🙂
Children’s books are not the place for disease, death and murders. Children have plenty of time to grow up and find out about the more difficult things in life. The stories give an idea of what life was like back then. They aren’t history books.
Well put, 7:25, I like how you put that! Oh my goodness, Anne really did put herself out on this one! Total cuteness. If only I could’ve ever had a opportunity to go to a party like this when I was a child! Lol, even now as an adult… Please, let’s dont make hatred out of pure innocent children’s books. Let them live out a child’s life. They’ll learn the hard stuff early enough. I’m getting more amazed at Anne’s skills. I’m waiting to see a Anne of Green Gables one! She’ll probably have to wait on that one till her girl is old enough and has read those books. But I think she would do marvelous!
Candi that’s a good idea an Anne of Green Gables party. I would love to see the different ideas she would come up with God that. I like seeing her ideas on her parties and I also use some of them for my parties now. lol
Anon you can’t over analyze things like that. These people who lived that prairie life although they were faced with all kinds of obstacles in life still thrived. Because of their strength and preserving spirit, we are the strongest nation on earth. It’s not that we over romanticize about the plight of our forefathers, but rather we celebrate them and their victories over all these what seemed like impossible odds against them. They have earned our respect and adoration.
“The strongest nation on earth”?! Goodness gracious, that’s quite arrogant and close minded. It just shows that you live in a very small world and haven’t traveled much. I mean, have you ever been to Europe? Spain, France, Greece, Italy?
i don’t want to make a generic statement, but some Americans think they created the world,when in fact you’re still a newborn nation.
You have just a few centuries of history, besides the history of the natives that you killed.
I’ve met a few north american people who, when seeing historic buildings in Europe, comment: “oh, what’s that old building? “
Westward expansion by settlers didn’t make this country great or strong. We bought that land or took it by force in some far from admirable battles. Manifest destiny was a form of imperialism that also spread slavery. Even after the battles, settlers fought with other settlers over land, water, and mineral rights (those rights are still contested). The 1800’s were years of great division among political parties in the US, and that among other issues eventually led to civil war. I don’t see much at all to adore or respect about all that. It was not a shining era in the history of the US.
None of the Americans alive today killed the natives. We aren’t responsible for what our ancestors did. European countries have been taken over by invaders, and people have been killed there as well. I don’t know anyone who thinks Americans created the world especially since we are a country of immigrants. As an American, I love my country and the freedoms that we enjoy.
12:01 While I think its quite ignorant to say the US is the strongest nation on earth, your comment was unnecessarily unkind and overdramatic.
Little House was a great show to watch . I Also love reading their books. My 5th grade teacher had a us do a play on Little House on
The Prairie and we also watch the very first episode on my video disk player back in 1982-1983.
I also watch every episode.
Live the picture of your nieces 4th birthday party.
Well I’m a Democrat- have lots of friends and family who are both Democrats and Republicans- we all love each other even though we don’t agree on everything- you should try it! 😉 I also love everyone who is not just like me- regardless of their race, religion, or choice of partners. I hear in church all the time how God loves everyone and how we should not judge. He who is without sin can cast the first stone. I will say some prayers for you. I’m a huge Laura fan- my favorite place to visit is Walnut Grove and Rocky Ridge Farm.
wow, that was really ignorant 10/26 @ 2:05! not everyone has the same ideals and beliefs as you because what you consider controversial, the next person doesn’t. personally i dont find any of your ‘theme’s’ offending or controversial. shame on you ellie for posting pictures, on your own blog, of an innocent childs awesome birthday party because some stranger, might become offended! lol, really??
however, as a woman, i am offended that you would feel the things she stood for then are wrong. if it weren’t for women like her becoming involved, we wouldn’t have the little rights we do have! very confused on how that is controversial
and ‘childrens’ books are usually written for children without all the ‘blood & gore’ of real life. not ‘downplaying’ or ‘romanticizing’ anything – just communicating on their level as most 4 year olds wont understand death & diseases (and i’m sure even you will agree that young children should be afforded some innocence at that age!)
i grew up playing ‘cowboys & indians’ in my neighborhood with all the other kids. being native american, i usually got to play the indian but sometimes i was a cowgirl. and my favorite halloween costume to go trick-or-treating in was an indian outfit sent by my grandmother. we weren’t offended, we were proud. but that was back in the day when people didn’t get offended so easily. i even went to a catholic grammar school that celebrated halloween by letting us and the lay teachers dress up in costumes for school and then having a halloween party at the school for the kids and their parents that night! and my native american son was a cowboy one year for halloween! he picked the outfit, no controversy there! some people don’t celebrate halloween, and that’s fine, but it’s my favorite holiday
if people would just become a little more tolerant of other people and others beliefs and opinions, i believe we’d all really be a lot happier. our thoughts and ideas are our own. we were given the ability to reason. no 2 people are going to think alike so we’ve got to stop trying to force everyone to see things ‘one’ way. and since no one is going to agree all the time, lets stop with the ‘lecturing’ about why someone is ‘wrong’ and live and let live!
Oh my goodness! I would have loved that party even as an adult!
Me too Lila lol. I liked everything about it, from the decorations to the activities and to the food.
I love the Little House books and the My First Little House books for my youngest daughter. I used The Prairie Primer unit study for my two older girls a My Little Primer for my youngest daughter.
I really appreciate the LHOTP books.
And there is absolutely nothing wrong with a LHOTP theme party for a child’s birthday party.
Sadly it would appear that people are offended by everything nowadays.
Anonymous, this party was for a 4 year old, what would she know about history way back in the 1800’s. And why would this be a concern of yours, some of us don’t have the hatred of what happened back then and now, we need to get over it and move on. Happy that this smart little girl, as young as she is, chose a very beautiful story to celebrate her birthday. Happy Birthday
I still watch it till this day. Can’t tell you how many re runs I’ve watched. Love love Love. The theme was beautifully done. Wonderfully thought out party. Congratulations
This is such a cute idea! Have you read the Love Comes Softly series by Janette Oke they are really good. So are the movies even though they are nothing like the books. The 1st one follows the book more than the rest of them.
I haven’t ready the books, but I have seen all the movies. They’re great! Only wish there were more. What about Anne of Avonlea, have you seen those shows?
Ellie
Yes I loved Anne of Avonlea.
They had a show on PBS called Avonlea I still have some record on a VBS tape. It was my mom’s favorite show.
No but I have not but I love the Anne of Green Gables movies with Megan Follows who plays Anne. That’s my Christmas time series
Oh I love the Love Comes Softly books. Different from the movies but they are both great! So is Janette Oke’s “follow up” series (of sorts. It’s their granddaughter with tons of references & appearances from the orginal family) to the Love Comes Softly series (starting with “The Tender Years”).
Little House and Anne of Green Gables were two of my favorite things growing up! I loved Little House growing up (still do actually). I loved the stories and I think the way they are written is perfect to inspire an interest in the time period. I know for me personally it inspired me at my young age to dig and learn more about her and the time period. I’m a bit of a history buff now so clearly it worked! lol Your SIL did an amazing job. It’s all so cute! Thank you for sharing pictures of the parties she plans!
All of those play station ideas are really neat! A child would just love, love, love to be at that party!
Love the party and the pictures! Have watch all the episodes of LHOTP more than once. I’m a bit older, my favorite collection of children books to read was, The Bobbsey Twins. Ellie, love your blogs. Thank you for enlightening our lives…Jane
As I’m typing this I’m watching an emotional “cry your eyes out but everything worked out in the end episode” of LHOTP. It seems like many of them were like that. Except the ones that were so sad you wondered why you put yourself through the torture of watching the
full episode.
your sister-in-law is so creative!! what lucky kids she has. i would love to go to a party like this! how fun this must have been. great job