Brady's Dino-mite Birthday Party

This was the first year we had an actual "friend" birthday party- meaning the guest list was composed of friends chosen by Brady (instead of family or family friends chosen by us). Lucky for us, all of the friends Brady chose have parents (and siblings) that we would have chose too! :) So it was a good time for us all! Awesome! His friends- Allie (and Kristin), Brenden (and Ryen), Cameron (and Maddie), Colton, Evan (and Colin), Haylie, Kellan (and Henry), Wesley (and Austin + Sammy), Wyatt (and Wesley) came to celebrate. Maya (and Kiks) also came- a day early :) so we got to hang out with them yesterday- fun! We had a dino-themed birthday this year since that's what this typical four-year-old is in to. I think it's due to watching Dino Dan and Dinosaur Train, but he Loves dinosaurs and can recognize and name many of them! So this was right up his alley.

I had a bunch of games planned b/c when I was planning for this party I was reading all these things that talked about 4-year-old birthday parties and having planned activities. I should have known better- these kids only need to be with each other to have a good time! I love that! So the "planned activities" were scrapped and we just let them loose in the dino cave. :)

The dino feet project that we saved ~30 cereal boxes for, spray-painted green, and put triangle claws on made for a good time!

Dig it and Dec it-

The junior paleontologists dug in packing peanuts and found dinosaurs (sugar cookies) to decorate.

Apparently dino fossils were not the only thing they could've found! :p

The kids' dinner menu included dino-shaped chicken nuggets, mac 'n cheese, and cream cheese + jelly sandwiches in dino shapes (for our herbivores). :p Thanks to Grandma and Papa for playing chefs in addition to coat-checkers, greeters, entertainers, and photographers. :)

Little sis snacking on a pterandon nest (pretzels and grapes) and yes, I found another use for her bone hair clip I made for her Pebbles Halloween costume. bonus!

I had wanted to play Dinosaur Train and Dino Dan episodes in the theater room, but found out the day of the party that we didn't have the audio hook-up to connect the iPad to the projector in the media room. :( We showed the holiday Nick Jr. DVD we had and Toy Story-- no complaints from the theater crowd though. :)

Dino-face painting (stamps)

We were able to round up most of the kids for a picture...no bad at all for a bunch of pre-schoolers!

The "everybody make a silly face" picture-

"Happy Birthday dear Brady..."

Today was Brady's birthday bud Evan's Real birthday. So we sang to the other birthday boy too! Happy Birthday Evan!

Apparently I tortured Sylvie for a good minute or two. Brett and Tiffany D. were cracking up, and Brett took pictures of it. I was in the middle of getting Sylvie a cupcake and Melissa, Danisa, and I started talking. Evidently I was holding the little girl's cupcake juuuuust out of her reach. Yes, I suppose that was torturous to our little cake and icing lover! Sorry sweetie peetie!

Don't worry, she's no worse for the wear...

Indeed preschool parties look like frat parties in many ways-

Complete with a Congo-line...

Everybody get Footloose! Sylvie is simply adorable in this video dancing with the inflatable T-Rex (Thank you Grandma for drawing Daddy's attention to little sister and ensuring this cuteness was documented on video!)

Some scenes from the party highlight reel :p

I totally forgot about the dino tail game we'd made until just Colton, Cameron, and Maddie were left- so they built a tower and then wore dino tail and swung it to knock down the tower.

This was adorable- Brady took Cameron and Colton to his and Sylvie's "secret" hiding spot under the end table in the living room and they opened presents together. I think they thought they were being naughty- haha! We came upstairs to hear muffled giggles and tearing of paper, but had no sight of the boys. It was very cute though b/c the boys only had the presents that they each gave to Brady. All three of them were excited to open them! Gotta love 4-year-old BFFs!!!

Brady opened all his presents later on. Papa snapped this adorable picture of sweet Sylvie waiting for "my tuuuhhhn" to play with Brady's remote-controlled dinosaur from Cameron. Her last-second glance at Papa as he was taking the picture made it more precious.