Mason turned nine last Thursday and we had so much fun celebrating him! When I realized that birthdays would look a little bit different this year I decided I wanted to make them memorable in their own way and when Dave and I were talking about what Mason loves A LOT we both cracked up when I said "WHATABURGER!"
We kicked the morning off with cinnamon rolls and presents...
... and spent the rest of the morning and afternoon playing, getting school done and building Legos. He requested "Mason Mac" for lunch and I was happy to oblige...
... and he was happy to eat the first bite straight out of the pan :)
He asked for a cookie cake so I got that made for him (it was SO GOOD and I"ll share the recipe ASAP!)
... and then I sent them all upstairs while Dave ran to grab the food and I finished setting up...
I had SO MUCH FUN with this theme ;) I was going to order a roll or orange paper for the table but the flags were $5 and were cheaper than the paper! Mason is SO EXCITED to get one hung up in his room and I'll probably hang the other in my classroom because #TexasForever
I couldn't resist grabbing him a shirt...
and I downloaded the font, designed and printed the banner and just hung it from our blinds :)
I even found birthday table tents!!!
It was the easiest dinner ever because I just ordered everyone's favorites and put them out on cute stands.
Mason is a chicken tender with gravy kind of guy :)
I feel like his face says it all!
After dinner we FaceTimed with my brother and his crew...
... and then my parents stopped by for some cookie cake and presents in the driveway.
And then it was drive-by-party time for Mason and G! We invited friends and family to drive by our house that evening and honk, make noise, yell happy birthday, etc. and opted for a single party time since lots of people were there for both of them. I wasn't sure what to expect but was blown away by how many people took time out of their days to swing by and was overwhelmed to the point of tears a couple of times. Teachers, friends, family - it was SO GOOD for all of us to see so many faces and was an experience I don't think any of us will forget.
The kids knew it was happening and decorated the mailbox earlier in the day to get ready :)
We set up a 30 minute window and some people just drove by and waved, others stopped and sang, some we chatted with if nobody was behind them. It wasn't an official parade and we were blown away by everyone's kindness.
One of the first people who came by spray chalked our driveway :) Griffin's teacher came by and G couldn't stop talking... she had SO MUCH TO SAY to her - sweetest ever.
We haven't seen our niece Logan since she was born pre-quarantine and it took all my willpower not to kiss her face off!
There were nerf guns...
... and signs...
... and puppies...
... and decorations...
... and presents (we sanitized hands after! hahaha)...
... and more decorations...
... and some socially distanced photos :)
There were balloons...
... and silly string...
and air high fives from a distance :)
Teachers and friends and family and homemade cards and it was just so so so special.
The day didn't look anything like we would have thought 6 weeks ago but it was absolutely perfect and one that we'll never forget!
You throw THE BEST parties! What a wonderful time. Do you print at home or use somewhere like Kinkos/CopyMax to print everything?
ReplyDeleteI have a small desktop printer that I use! It handles the jobs well!
DeleteHow special!! Memorable indeed........
ReplyDeleteThe kids will never forget this! They will treasure it forever.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought from that meal is "why is that gravy white?" Haha! #Canada
ReplyDeleteI don't know if that day could have been any more fun if it had been a non-quarantine birthday, you do such a great job at parties and fun!
I get it! When we moved to Texas the gravy confused me as well! hahaha
DeleteAwwwwwwwwwww, this is amazing! I bet you all felt so loved! xoxo
ReplyDeleteSOOO LOVED!
DeleteWhat a sweet and memorable birthday! I love the Whataburger theme.
ReplyDeleteThe PERFECT birthday!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt totally was!
DeleteWhat a fun birthday!! I LOVE the Whataburger theme! Too bad we don't have any of those nearby in Georgia. And that cookie cake looks delicious! I can't wait for the recipe!! :) Have a wonderful day!!
ReplyDeleteIt was probably my favorite theme ever :)
DeleteAAAAmazing!! You are making such wonderful memories for your kids, I love it;).
ReplyDeleteI love this. I think they'll remember these birthdays more than parties with their friends. Also, can you please throw my birthday party in October? I'm fine with Whataburger!!!!
ReplyDeleteYES!!! and YESSSSSS
Deleteso sweet!
ReplyDeleteThis is just the sweetest! You've done such a great job making the kids' birthdays special and I am sure it's a year they won't ever forget!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! I really wanted to put a positive spin on "missing" their birthdays :)
DeleteI could just cry reading this and seeing pictures. I think I'm in favor of birthday parades from here on out! How special.
ReplyDeleteIt was really touching for sure - something we'll never forget!
DeleteWhat fun! Way to make it special!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tracy!
DeleteLooks like you made the day(s) so special! When you post the cookie cake recipe, would you also post about that GORGEOUS balloon garland?
ReplyDeleteHey, Jen! The balloon garland was just a back of orange balloons mixed with some GIANT 36" white and orange balloons. I used fishing line and a needle and threaded about 6-8 small orange balloons, then a large balloon, then 6-8 small, repeat :) I hung it on my mantle with command hooks adn that's about it!
DeleteThank you so much! I want to try making one... you make it sound easy and it's so pretty!
Deletejust blown away by your imagination and how you make each of your kids feel special and loved on their special day! And even in between. You truly are a magical MOM! You are giving me great ideas for when I have gradnbabies! and BTW, I took my hubby to Whataburger last October and he LOVED it too! We have In-n-Out burgers here but Whataburger is so much better!
ReplyDeleteThis is the BEST compliment - thank you so so so much! And I completely agree with your In-N-Out comment :)
DeleteAndrea, this is off topic, but where do you get the canvas pictures in your house? I love Them!
ReplyDeleteOff topic, but where do you get your picture canvases? I've admired them for so long, but I cant find where you referenced the place you order them from. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI haven't ordered in forever but I used to order from Canvas People
DeleteAny chance you can post the file for the whatabirthday sign?
ReplyDelete