As his birthday was approaching, dinosaurs were all Dash could talk about. So naturally, the theme of his party had to follow up with his recent obsession. We tried to give him other options just to see if this was what he really wanted...and it was. Dinos all the way--and to be honest I’ve loved it! I love watching his boyness grow and how different it is from all of our girls. But equally, I love how our girls enter into the things that he loves to do and play with too (and vice versa).
Maybe part of growing up with a lot of siblings around means you naturally just play with whatever they are into too. But I like to believe that we’re growing something more in them as they get older, something that makes it natural for them to adapt and adjust to things that they wouldn’t normally choose. A decision to play with or enjoy what someone else loves because it means loving them and being with them in the moment. I get glimpses of this playing out as I hear them work out their differences and compromise on the activity they’ll play. Don’t get me wrong, there are plenty of times the fighting occurs, but by making it a natural response in our home to talk it out and think of how the other one feels, I hope this is instilling in them the ability to do something for the benefit of their relationship and for the benefit of the other.
Anywaaaays, a random tangent that just got me thinking how different it is in raising a boy, but how equally I love all the boy things he’s into as much as I’ve loved doing all the girl things with my girls.
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This party theme was out of the norm for all the “pretty/girly” things I’ve done for so many years. But I think that’s why I loved dreaming it up and putting it together so much too. Something different and fun that speaks to my boy’s heart. So dinos it was and with the colors he loves and chose (although he maaaay not quite understand which colors are which yet, haha).
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As usual, I love a neutral/muted color palette so I started there, choosing 2-3 colors along with a neutral color for the “background” of it all. I find keeping to this little formula for the overall theme helps with bringing it all together in a cohesive way. Since we do so many parties throughout the year I decided to invest in some things I knew would get well used over and over again. If you find yourself doing the same I highly recommend these things…
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Table cloth:
I grabbed a painters drop cloth to use as a tablecloth. I got one a while back to cover the table when my kids do art projects and I realized I loved the color and texture of it that it’d be a perfect tablecloth anytime I wanted one...plus I think it's a cheaper way to go than most traditional tablecloths!
Balloon Air Pump:
Since I always include balloons in our party (I mean, you can’t not have balloons at a party right) I decided to invest in this air pump to save Shane some breath and the pain his cheeks were enduring. He thanked me for this! :) The great thing too is that my kids love helping blow them up so it makes an easy way for them to be a part of the set up and feel included.
Cake stand:
Our little tradition that has formed over the years is that me and the birthday kid makes and decorates the cake together. So investing in a cake stand or two I knew I’d love and use over and over just made sense. I’ve bought a few glass ones from Target over the years, but this one is similar to the one I have. I also love this one. I haven’t pulled the trigger on getting it yet, but how pretty right!?!
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It was a sweet and simple day celebrating Dash. Almost every day leading up to his party he asked if his birthday was here yet. And when he got to see everything set up, well, I wish I could’ve just bottled it up and held on to that moment. Every friend and family member that came over to celebrate him he grabbed and brought inside and kept saying “come see my birthday”--best moment right there for me!
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I always love a good "after party" picture to show a snippet of the fun and celebration that was had. Messes of cake crumbs, empty plates from bellies being filled with yummy treats, and the decorations still in place to help the feelings of gratitude and joy for the celebration linger a little longer.
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I’ve linked some of the things below I specifically used for our party, but here is a list I put together you can browse with more items I would use and I think fit well.
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