So, mine and DeDe’s picture-taking never disappoints – this time 261 pictures from the birthday party. While it’s so great to have that many pictures of Little Bits big day, it’s really hard to sort through all the chaos :) Hence, the delay in the birthday post. I think I’m finally ready to tackle this!
The party went great. Brandon and I were prepared for the nasty, rainy weather that felt like the best time to make it’s grand entrance was when the clock struck 11:30 a.m. and the party was ready to begin. As bad as we need rain around here, how could you complain? I kept worrying about it all week and my mom kept saying maybe the forecast will change – well, it changed alright, it went from a 40% chance, to 60%, to 70% to eventually 80%. We were doomed :) Not really, just meant I had more time to prepare for indoor play. Only downfall was having to cancel the Dora bounce house – yes, they do exist! So instead, we had a Dora ball pit, tunnel and tent, Dora bingo, Pin the tail on Swiper, a pull string pinata to avoid swinging a stick in the house, coloring and playing with all the kiddos’ toys. For having that many kids of various ages cooped inside for an entire party, they were all excellent. I think they had a great time and all the while my house never got destroyed! :)
Now on to what you really care about –the pictures. I’ve added a few descriptions here and there. Thanks to everyone who came out despite the weather and we missed all of you who weren’t able to make it!
The dining room w/ cake and decor:
The fabulous cake made by Pat Rawlinson. It was adorable! We loved it! Top layer was poppy-seed and bottom was strawberry – super yummy! :)
The party favor table, complete w/ Dora-decorated tree (wish I would’ve got a close up of the tree!) Also HAD to pick up this Dora blow up at Wal-Greens the other day ;)
Dora display:
Entry table:
Some of the goodies. Everything was labeled w/ different Dora characters. We served enchiladas, rice, beans, salsa, queso, chips, veggie tray, fruit tray, taquitos, pretzel sticks, cake balls, Dora decorated cookies, sheath cake, raspberry chipotle cream cheese with wheat thins, pizza, cake and ice cream :)
Empty dishes is where the enchiladas, rice and beans were served:
Kitchen table:
Drinks included sweet tea, lemon berry punch for the kiddos, margaritas for the adults and it’s not a Zabodyn party w/o some beer ;)
The gift table:
I have three year old twins in dance class that had a Dora party a few months back. Their grandfather was nice enough to make them all of the Dora characters for the party. They were sweet enough to let us borrow them for Mally’s party. They were so cute! Wish we could’ve spent more time outside w/ them but everyone could see them right out the kitchen window!
The ping pong table transformed into a large dining table :)
Kiddos picnic tables:
Only picture I have of the Dora tunnel, tent and ball pit. So fun:
Alicia is so sweet and reliable. I swear this girl – she’s always there to calm me down and help out. She came early and stayed late. LOVE her! 
Here’s Mallory in her birthday attire – bows from Cary Hairbows, Shirt from Christy Croix and skirt courtesy of one of Mommy’s dance magazines :)
Grandpa and Mallory discuss Dora books: 
Kiddos take a time out to eat:
Playing bingo in Dayton’s room. We used m&ms as markers and I think by the time they’d finish a game, the markers were all eaten ;)
So, I was so sad that Mallory cracked under the pressure of the Happy Birthday singing. She’d done so well on her actual birthday, blowing out her own candles not once, but twice. However; the sight of THAT many people singing at her was a little overwhelming and she busted out in tears:
Then, it was on to what Mallory had been anticipating all day – the gift-opening. She loved every minute of it!
Pin the tail on Swiper, post pinning:
Pull string pinata, held up by Brandon:
Family pic:
MeMe and Grandpa with Mallory – she’s not crying, she’s shouting DORA – she was getting a little silly:
DeDe and PaPa with Mally:
Aunt Samantha with Mallory being silly again:
Easton:
Megan and Clint got to join us:
Dora tricycle from MeMe and Grandpa:
Dora scooter was from Dayton – he was determined to get her a Dora scooter –so glad we found one. Not to mention it was regular $34.99 at Academy and we got it for $12.99 – how great is that!
Mallory’s banner: 
Happy girl with all her loot:
It was a great day. Mallory is so blessed to have so many special people in her life. And, Brandon and I are so blessed to have Mallory and Dayton in our lives – we thank God every day for our two healthy, beautiful, loving children. We also thank God every day for YOU! :)
