Brack is really into baseball, so it was an easy choice for a birthday party theme. I stopped planning things for kids to do during parties a long time ago. I have found they just like to get outside and play. And, really, besides being a lot easier, that's what I'd rather them do, anyway!
So I used "baseball" as a theme for the invitations and food. I decided last minute to set things up inside. Now that the kids are all older, they don't have to be watched constantly as they play, and I didn't want to have to fight with our dogs to stay out of the food! So - I removed the chairs in my dining room and set up the food table there.
A white tablecloth anchors the table. The blue is actually a roll of wrapping paper from Dollar Tree. I made the cute little pennant banner from card stock.
Of course you think of hotdogs when you think about baseball games! I cooked these in the oven on a sheet pan. Much easier when you're making three of four dozen at a time! Then I had a friend help me stuff the buns and wrap them in hotdog foil sheets. I buy a box of these every few years. I think they come in a box of 500. I love the way they kind of "steam" the buns. Mustard, catsup, and onion round out the 'dogs.
What's more American than baseball? Red, white, and blue was a natural color choice. Red napkins from Dollar Tree contrast with the blue wrapping paper table runner. The white food trays came from Amazon years ago. I ordered a big box for a party and still have plenty. I always have clear plastic flatware on hand in these silver pails. I just have to set them out!
Gerald loaned me a few of Brack and Jewell's old gloves and balls for decoration.
Who doesn't love sunflower seeds at the ballpark?
I found this cute mini wooden bat on Amazon. All of Brack's friends signed it with a black Sharpie marker. It's a cute decoration for his bedroom now, plus a fun reminder of his party.
I figured the kids would eat these up! But alas, me and my friend, Shannon, were the only ones brave enough!
Nachos are a ball park standard. I struggled with whether to add Rotel, but in the end, I didn't. Plain cheese is what they have at our ball field.
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks...Can you believe my local Walmart only had a "bag" of Cracker Jacks? Seriously? Cracker Jacks MUST be eaten from the box. I found these at Dollar Tree. However, did you know that your "prize" is now something that you scan with your iPhone for a "special treat"? Seriously? Where's my tattoo? Where are my corny jokes? Alas, times are changing.
Homemade lemon cupcakes with cream cheese icing were for dessert. Yummy!
One of the biggest "hits" (hee, hee! get it?) were these parched peanuts. The adults especially liked these. We ate them outside and threw the shells on the ground for the birds.
I didn't have the time to pull out my photo lighting for pics, so please excuse the darker images. We actually had about two hours to set everything up since Jewell had a baton recital in Montgomery that morning.
I added some balloons to my chandelier to liven things up a little.
My kids have such a diverse group of friends between homeschool, church, TKD, dance, baseball, cheer, etc. But all the kids get along so well!
After a long afternoon of play, the boys came in to cool off while Brack opened his gifts.
Here are some of the boys taking a "hostage" during their Nerf war. I have learned that all boys love Nerf, so I always tell kids to bring their Nerf guns. I have found a source for cheap Nerf knockoff bullets (Brack says they're better than the original!), and I always order about 400. I tell the kids not to worry with bringing ammo. We have plenty for everyone, then they all get to take some home. I do this in lieu of party favor bags.
Here is Brack and his bestie, Josh, coming up out of the woods. Our little "men" stand taller than Shannon and me both! It's so bittersweet as we watch them growing up! Happy birthday, sweet boy!
I'm so glad you stopped by my neck of the woods!
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