birthday party ideas

Noah's 4th birthday is coming up, and I've had "party" on the brain for quite a while. I've been inspired by so many wonderful birthday party ideas online - I thought I'd share some of them with you....

I wish A & N loved the animated movie Up as much as I did... otherwise, I would have loved to throw a party like Wendy Updegraff did for her daugher. Wendy is also an amazing professional photographer... {photos by Wendy Updegraff}

Did you see this cake? The table of sweets is all eye-candy...

And checkout the favor table... So clean and simple - capturing exactly what the movie is about. I love the house anchoring all the balloons {like the movie}... the globe, travel postcards streamed together above an old suitcase... and a banner that echoes the theme "adventure awaits!"

speaking of suitcase, the travel journals/favors are amazing - lots of thought went into this... each child got a travel journal to write in with themes and graphics from the movie.

oh I wish I had an Ellie pin!

More amazing pics and details on Wendy's blog. {Thanks Wendy for letting me share your photos here on the AoF!}

Off-site parties - oh my, why not rent out a historic airplane! I so love the *vintage* theme behind everything this Mom did for her son's 4th birthday party... Especially the suitcase favors and invitations. I also love the clever games she associated with the theme... {party details on Hostessblog.com /photos by Bryan Mikota}

You'll have to check out the complete party details to get the entire scoop. For each flight challenge the kids completed, they received an aviation-themed souvenir - love the felt hats she made!

And wouldn't this be the perfect weather right now to do a camping theme?  That's what mom and event planner Desiree from Desiree Spinner Events hosted for her son's 6th birthday...

She spray painted picnic tables with chalkboard paint to give the kids something fun to do as they arrived to "Camp Luke."

The goodie bag is absolutely charming... yummy LL Bean green backpack with camping gear!

And an entertainer that is an expert in this field entertained the kids while the family enjoyed themselves too - sitting back and watching the kids enjoy themselves is always a real treat!

P.S... I'm loving her house too... {sighing... this is why I dream of big grassy backyards...}

More photos on Desiree's blog, and details posted here. {Thanks Desiree for sharing your photos with the AoF!}

Now.... onto some party planning of my own... eek, it's coming up this Saturday!