We had a dinosaur themed birthday party for Brady on his actual birthday (Halloween)! The party turned out to be a great success and it was a blessing to celebrate with so many new friends! When we moved to Portland this summer I assumed we wouldn’t have a big birthday party for Brady this year (for lack of friends), but on the contrary! The turnout was a testament of God’s faithfulness & answer to our prayers for community and friends in our new home state. He’s blessed us quickly and abundantly with GOOD friends! Apparently people are on time to kids birthday parties here in Portland… and we spent a little more time enjoying Brady ride his tractor toy from RaRa that morning so, I was scrambling last minute and didn’t get to photograph the decorations or food as I had planned. Oops!

Since it was a 10 am party, we served donut hole fruit kabobs, apple cider donuts, veggie muffins, a farmer’s market egg casserole, sliced fruit, coffee, and hot honeycrisp apple cider.  For Brady’s cake I made a chocolate chip skillet cookie cake and cut it into random pieces and piled it onto a cake stand. Voila!

The kids played in the playroom, as well as, in the backyard. We originally planned an outdoor party, but moved it inside due to forecasted rain. Thankfully, it didn’t rain cats and dogs until later that evening (when it was time to Trick or Treat – hah!)  I made homemade playdough and created “dinosaur eggs” with tiny plastic dinos hidden inside, and there were some dinosaur coloring sheets. I cut out big dinosaur foot prints from poster board and taped them to the ground on the front porch and throughout the house.  The kids were given a dinosaur mask when the arrived and a goodie back with various small plastic dinosaurs and dinosaur temporary tattoos.  The inflatable dinosaurs we borrowed from a friend were a big hit, as well as, generic toys.  Toys at other people’s houses are always way better than your own, right? Brady also gave rides to his guests in his new tractor (from RaRa!)

Since it was Halloween, we encouraged the kids to come in costume. Brady wore his adorable cowboy costume during his party, and changed into a fireman costume (with random fireman attire that he has) in the evening when he and some friends went on his first trick or treating venture, because it was raining so hard.

Brady boy, we love you so much! You’re our miracle baby & what a gift you are. You continue to teach us. You’re full of personality, funny, witty (sometimes too much), a leader in the classroom, you love to do things all by yourself, you talk non-stop, you are good at sports, love being outdoors, you can spell your name & count to 15! You run everywhere and are ornrey sometimes.  You almost know our address by heart, you know the difference between right & left, and you’re still a magnificent eater! Your favorite foods are mostly snacks (grapes, apples, turkey “roll ups”, fruit bars, squeeze packs, nuts, cookies, “foothies” (smoothies) and of course my homemade ice cream after dinner!)  We are proud of you and excited for what God has in store for you.

 INSTAGRAM: