A dedicated mum insisted her daughter is not spoilt after throwing a £3,500 festival with a 'live unicorn' for her ninth birthday.
Liyah Londyn, 34, organised live animals, professional face painting, full BBQ catering and a DJ for Skylar-Rose's big day.
Taking inspiration from the world famous music festival Coachella, the family named the bash SkyChella and welcomed 35 children.
Liyah, from Croydon, south London, said Sky felt like a real-life princess when she came face to face with a white pony transformed to look like a unicorn with a horn attached to its head.
The professional party planner said: "There were snake, rabbit and chicken enclosures, but when the unicorn visited, that really made Sky's day."
Liyah has built a reputation for throwing lavish parties for her only child and thinks she has spent a total £20k to date.
The most recent celebration was held in her mum's back garden in Surrey last July – four months before Sky's actual birthday to avoid the winter period.
Entertainment also included jewellery making, games and a paddling pool.
Liyah said: "Sky's over winter parties, so we're looking forward to celebrating her 10th birthday this year in the summer again."
Despite the spectacular event, Liyah insisted her daughter "is not spoilt because it's a once a year thing."
She added: "We have a massive family and all her friends from school come along too. We party, celebrate, then get back to normal life."
Liyah also makes sure adult guests are well looked after at her daughter's parties.
She said: "It's not just about the children. I also cater for the adults. We had drinks, catered food. It all adds up.
"I like to make sure every single guest is looked after. But I go into Sky's parties knowing that it costs.
"I plan and prep and start getting bits together months in advance, so the final costs are not too over the top."
Liyah's resourcefulness also proved an asset when the pandemic hit her business Once Upon A Party Events.
She soon adapted to the restrictions and provided contactless party boxes at the height of the crisis.
"They were each customised and bespoke to suit the client and we could provide virtual consultations to show people how to set everything up," she explained.
"Once restrictions started lifting, I provided lots of supplies for picnics and things like that. Now things are getting back to normal and I'm facing a really busy May."
Liyah was so busy that she was up at 1am on the morning of Sky's party to prepare for a 60th birthday for work before turning her focus to her daughter's festival.
In contrast, she underplays her own birthdays when she usually enjoys a couple of quiet drinks with her twin sister Santana.
So far her daughter's celebrations have included a cinema party, a princess party, a jungle-themed bash, a Minnie Mouse party and a Wild West do.
SkyChella was the most all-out affair so far, according to the creative mum.
Liyah said: "Sky always helps me in the planning of her parties. The themes come from her and we lock them down early.
"She usually tells me what she wants in around January. I then spend months buying, making and getting things in."
Last summer's event went without a hitch, with all the guests having a wonderful time at the elaborate bash. As for the birthday girl, Liyah says her daughter is becoming "quite the hostess".
She added: "I ask Sky every year if she wants loads of gifts or a big party and one gift. She always chooses the party. She's so used to them now.
"All her friends come along and she shows them around, works the room. She loves spending time with the people she cares about."
She added: "Opening a bunch of gifts just wouldn't compare to her now." In fact, Sky has already decided on another summer party for her birthday this year.
"We're planning it all now. Sky is choosing between an Encanto theme after the film, or a tea party."
She added: "If she goes with a tea party then we'll have a dress code – lace gloves, fine china. If it's Encanto then I'm planning a South American theme, with lots of colour."
While there is no set budget for this year's mid-summer party, Liyah refuses to pay over the odds.
"As I work in the industry, I know what things should cost. I won't spend silly money," she said.
"I also have lots of friends in the events field and we do call in favours where we can. As a mum, I do try to get everything for the best price I can."
But Sky's happiness remains priceless to her adoring mum.
She said: "We don't live this lavish lifestyle 24/7. We like to have a laugh and don't take ourselves too seriously.
"Skye's big birthdays are just about celebrating her. It's only once a year. Why not go all out? We are really down to earth in our family, we just like celebrations."
