Blakely's 4th birthday bowling bash!

I really didn't plan a major birthday for Blakely this year.  I knew I didn't want to have it at my house like I had done previously.  My house looks like a daycare and I didn't want to have to deal with all the cleaning and stress that comes with inviting a bunch of people over.  

To be honest there are not a lot of places to have birthday parties where I live.  Especially for 4 year olds.  There are more options for older kids.  Anyway, I tried to think of something that I knew Blakely would love no matter what.  One day she asked me to go bowling and it hit me.  Let's have her party there!  We haven't taken her in a while and she absolutely loves going.  So I found a cute invite on E.tsy about 2 weeks before the party, printed those things and sent them out.  

This was really the first year that Blakely has friends that are not my friends kids.  She made some friends at dance last year and has made some through MDO and gymnastics.  I really had no idea how many kids would show up because it was kind of last minute but we had a great turnout!  About 12 kids I think?  Besides the invite I didn't do much for the party until the week of.  I know, totally not my normal party planning style but it was so easy and I enjoyed not stressing too much about it.  

missing a few friends here.  I am surprised we got them to sit still for a pic!  

I got some nuggets, a fruit tray and some lemonade from Chi.ck fil.a.  Then I threw some cheet.oh balls and popcorn in a bowl and the food was done.  I tied some balloons to each chair and that was really it for decor.  I had small favor bags that had some bowling themed suckers, pencils, tattoos and bracelets for each kiddo.  

I called the lady who always does Blakely's cakes and she decorated a super cute cake for me at the last minute.  Seriously love her.  

checkout the bowling pin and bowling ball candles on the bottom right of the cake!  so cute!

All the kids loved bowling.  Some of them had never done it before but I have a feeling they will be going back.  The littler kids can use this slide thing to bowl the balls and of course use it as a slide as well ;)

 I had the party at one right drink nap time which I hated but it was my only option.  Needless to say Blakely was PASSED out in the car before we even left the parking lot!  

Since we did a party with mainly her friends (and my friends) at the bowling alley we did a small party with family on her actual birthday after she and I had a girls' day.  They got her gifts and a cake and it was low key fun.  She wanted to blow out the candles about 5 times so she could make 5 wishes.  One of them was to go to Dis.ney Wo.rld.  Can not even wait to tell her about that!

My girl sure is blessed with a bunch of people who love her and for that I am very grateful!  

4

My Blakely Ann is 4 years old.  Yesterday was her birthday and I kept her out of school and we had a girls day together before having a small party for her with my family last night.  

We went and ate bacon (her choice) and then we went to the library.  She wanted a book about flowers, one about Jesus, cats, coral reefs and dinosaurs.  We stopped at the park and then for ice cream on our way home.  When we got home she told me she was exhausted and wanted to go to bed.  She took a 2 hour nap and then we went and ate cake with my family.  It was a perfect day.  

It truly is amazing how fast 4 years can go.  I remember the night before I gave birth to her laying on the couch amazed that I was going to meet my daughter the next day.  And now she has grown into this amazing, spunky, hilarious and caring little girl.  I could not be more proud of her!