Brayden's 5th Birthday Party

I am trying to get caught up with the blog, but make no promises.  Life is just busy and I don't want to sit at the computer at night after sitting in front of it all day at work. 

Brayden said since just after he turned 4 that he wanted his 5th birthday party at Young's Gym in Wake Forest.  Young's Gym is a gymnastics place but they also have several bounce castles, etc that the kids love to play on.  Many of his friends have had their parties there in the past and the kids always have a blast.  Brayden also told me he wanted a Super Hero themed party, so the planning started.  The good thing about having a party at a place like Young's Gym, is that you don't have much decorating to do!!

They have this really cool swing that the kids get strapped into and then using a pulley system, they can swing the kids super high!  Brayden has always been to scared to try it, but with the encouragement of his friends, it finally did it at his party!  It was so cute seeing all his friend cheering him on :)

I took boxes from work, spray painted them, taped them together, and added windows to make them look like a city at night since most of the Super Heros work in the city.  I thought it turned out pretty cute myself. 

I also made Batman and Superman cupcakes, but for some reason, my royal icing didn't work this time and the little logos fell apart which made me a bit frustrated.  Brayden didn't care though! 

Lilly got right into the mix with the big kids too!  She was not scared to sit with them at the table and enjoyed running around after them in the gym area!  So cute!

All of the kids had a blast at the party which is the most important thing.  Also, instead of getting gifts, we asked all of Brayden's friends to bring an unwrapped toy for Toys for Tots.  This is the 3rd year we have done that and it is so nice to teach Brayden (and eventually Lilly) about giving to others instead of always getting, getting, getting. 

Lest you think that Brayden got no gifts, several of his friends did bring him gifts and of course the family had gifts for him as well!

On Brayden's actual birthday, we had the family over for a cookout, cake, and presents.   The favorite gifts this year...Legos (which he rapidly put together with little to no help from the adults!), a real t-ball bat (we previously only had soft ones), a Panthers helmet, and an art easel.