Monday, October 15, 2012

Cub is Growing "Up"!

Cub turned four. 

I can't believe it.

I mean, I REMEMBER turning four years old! It kind of feels like the official jump from toddlerhood to big-kid-hood. Wow.

For Cub's party, I wanted to utilize some of the paper lanterns I had used for Naomi's garden party birthday party last summer. Paper lanterns are fun and bright and I knew Cub would want them at his party, too. The day before his birthday, it hit me: An "Up" party with paper lantern balloons! "Up" is one of Caleb's favorite movies (ours, too) and I was so excited to elaborate on the idea. My Mom always put up our party decorations the night before our birthday and I've carried on the tradition. Phew, I don't know how she did it--I was TIRED--but it turned out great and Cub was so excited!



The house is a pressed-cardboard house from Hobby Lobby ($5.99, then 50% off, woot) and I painted it to match the real "Up" house as best as I could. So fun!


I pinned the paper lanterns to the ceiling using fishing wire and push-pins, and then attached long strands of jute rope.


Ta-Da!


(Over the bar...)



(Mini-lanterns/balloons for the mantle ...)


(Even the chalkboard in the living room participated! :))


My husband and I couldn't stop laughing when we saw the finished product. It was just so fun and we knew Cub would love it! For the party food, I decided to name each item after a theme or character in the movie. We had "Muntz Munch" (Chex mix), "Paradise Falls Punch", "Shady Oaks Apples and Dip", "Dug's Dogs" (Lil' smokies), and more.






And, one of the best parts ...


My parents dressed up like Carl and Ellie Frederickson! They were a big hit and Cub was totally stoked. I love it.



This is a framer.

After that, there were presents to open!


Little sister was eager to help, of course.


Caleb is obsessed with flashlights right now, so Uncle Andrew pinned a small flashlight onto a Carhart ball cap. Cub loved it.


Pajamas make it official. Four!


Another obsession: Garbage trucks. Oh my word, we talk about garbage trucks ALL THE TIME. So, G-Ma found one. And it is Caleb's new favorite thing in the whole world.




Lots of presents from aunts and uncles and grandparents. It was such a special party!

Caleb requested a "sprinkle cake" for his birthday and our local grocery store had these on sale--how perfect! He was thrilled with the sprinkles and I was thrilled that it was already made. :)




Oh my goodness, the cuteness. The hat, the cake, the garbage truck, the cuffed jeans ... love my little boy.

And, of course, the evening ended with some glow-stick fun.


Our family of five celebrating our big kid turning four! 


A fun party with our favorite big brother. Happy Birthday, Cub.

Have a lovely day!

14 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, this party is adorable!!! Your decorations are amazing, and Cub looks super thrilled with his party! What fun memories!!! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. So cute! and those pictures of your parents made me cry (why?!). Super, super cute. Good job mama!

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  3. I love your parents. Can totally see them putting together their scheme to get all dressed up. So sweet. Congratulations to Cub on reaching new heights of being a young boy. :-)

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  4. He told me all about his garbage truck on Sunday.

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  5. It looks like y'all had a blast!

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  6. Oh that looks like so much fun.. and it makes me want to watch "Up" again.. what a fabulous movie. Great ideas, Katie :).. I loved it.

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  7. KATIE. This is adorable!!! It turned out SO cute, and he seemed to love it very much. I think it is hilariously awesome that your parents dressed up, and the flashlight hat/cake picture is my fav. Love that kid.

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  8. Ohmygosh this is just the cutest thing!! Your parents are amazing for dressing up! What a fun day. Happy birthday, Cub!

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    1. Thank you, friends! It was seriously so fun to do. And wow, four just seems like such a big age! It really all worked out so well, which is a miracle, considering our busy lives!

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  9. What a cute party! 4 is such a fun age...I think you'll love it. ;)

    When did your baby get so big? Umm...wasn't she still a newborn?

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    1. I DON'T KNOW. She's getting soooo big! She will be perpetually three months old in my mind, forever. Poor thing ... :)

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  10. Thank you for sharing this! Every idea is absolutely awesome and I'm pretty sure I'm going to steal absolutely every single one.

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