easy kid birthday: reptile rowan turns four

Oh look, guys! I still have this blog! Our year has really put a damper on my documenting efforts (and man do I LOVE documenting... so that's been sad). I can't let a milestone like a birthday party fly past me though, so here is a month-late, phone-photo recap on our first "big kid" party!

The year was 2018... It was days before Rowan's actual birthday... We had no plan. He had asked for a rainbow party, then a fall-pumpkin-halloween party, then reptiles and snakes. Calm down, child! The darkness was closing in around us, and I had no ideas, no time, no faith, no hope. Then Zack cries out, "WE JUST NEED TO GET THE PET STORE TO BRING A SNAKE."
Cake! Snake! Text the neighborhood kids! 4 year old birthday party done! By golly, this just might work!

So I called Ed's Pet World and begged and pleaded to be squeezed in for a shorter timeline on a Sunday. They couldn't just bring one snake, but they worked with me and TOTALLY exceeded expectations.  The text-email-smoke signal invitation was sent out to all the little buddies, and I thought we were going to rock this low-key idea like the most laid-back parents of yesteryear.  Then it happened. My PPD-- Pinterest Party Disorder--returned to haunt me. It all happened when we figured out how we could make a snake cake using bundt pans, and it was all downhill from there.

The famous SNAKE CAKE by Zack! Scary delicious.

Lizard food!

Lizard tails, spider sandwiches, cheddar snakes, and frog eggs

Our house was already decorated with spiders and spider webs for Halloween, so we just retrieved every reptile and creepy crawly toy we have (which is A LOT). Then (at 11pm the night before the party) every easy party food item I saw became a critter idea. Spider sandwiches made from low-sugar, whole wheat Uncrustables (because I feel the need to justify those. haha!) Lizard tail veggie straws, tiny grapes for frog eggs, cheesy snakes, and lizard food veggies. Whole Foods had a tiny spider cake since we needed some more cake + a place to put candles (2 bundts wasn't seeming like quiet enough. And it wouldn't have been). Target had RAINBOW fall leaves and party supplies... Look at me goooo! I'm making all my kid's dreams come true!

The neighborhood kiddos decended upon us and Ed's Pet World delivered the most legit domesticated reptile show I could ever imagine. They handed out free (probably near death) goldfish tickets, they taught animal facts, they let each kid pose for photos, they explained why these domesticated reptiles were different from how you would handle others, they were on time and even stayed late. 10 out of 10 recommend! I saw my very own MOTHER hold a python around her neck. We even made my OWN dreams that I never knew I had come true with this party. So anyway, if you are looking for an extremely easy theme -- especially around Halloween -- this is a classic and you should do it. Even with no crazy critter show, it still would've been a crazy, good time. And, Rowan, you better remember this party. I held a caiman croc that only had a rubber band on its mouth.

pumpkin notebook favors!

related posts.

• a breakfast picnic in blue for year two
  
• minimalist toddler party: three-horn birthday
• our little firecracker's first july 4th birthday