Although I don’t post about it often party and event planning is one of my absolute favorite things to do! Weddings, birthdays, holidays, church gatherings, meetings – you name it and I’d love to plan it! I know a lot of women find things like that stressful but for me it’s just second nature as I grew up with a family who has been coined by others as “professional party planners” who have effortlessly hosted events through the years.

Sadly, I don’t have the opportunity to plan events all that often anymore with the exception of my boy’s birthdays so you better believe I go all out! Many would look at my efforts as trying to be “Pinterest Worthy” but honestly I could care less about that. For me planning the perfect birthday party is a labor of love because it’s what my mom did for me growing up long before Pinterest was even in existence.

Themes, games that matched said theme, food galore and goodie bags all compliments of Oriental Trading were present at every party I can remember. Trust me when I say my mom didn’t go to all this effort just to impress other moms! She did it because she loved seeing how excited us kids were and it was a way to remind us just how much she cared, not only for her own children but every child who attended the party.

It’s for this reason that I view planning birthday parties as a BIG deal because I am my mother’s daughter! I show love by acts of service and thoughtful gift giving, which doesn’t always mean the biggest or most expensive gift but one that has meaning and thought behind it.

I’ve had the opportunity to plan two birthday parties already for my oldest son, a mustache bash and a construction party zone which I’ve been sharing the pictures of throughout this post. I know I’m an entire year late on posting this but I just had to share because the other day I got asked from a friend, “so what’s the party theme this year?”

I just chuckled because I guess I am now THAT mom with the “Pinterest Perfect” parties but I’ll take that title gladly because I know the real meaning behind it which is love.

1 Peter 4:10 says, “each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in it’s various forms.”

Today I am thankful that God has not only given me the gift of planning events well but His heart behind it all. The heart that can unconditionally love and give to two little boys who quite honestly don’t always deserve a birthday party based on their actions but are still getting one because of God’s amazing grace!

Ps – We don’t have the pictures to prove it but this party also included a sand dig and construction zone obstacle course race that featured tonka trucks of course! Goodie bags were filled with tonka trucks, temporary tonka tatoos, mini tape measures and old fashion rock candy on a stick which was the kids favorite part 🙂