It was a challenge this year to decide how we should celebrate Audrey’s 5th birthday. We’re in the midst of a pandemic and cases were at their highest to date, so we didn’t feel comfortable having a big party like we normally do. We tried to think of other ways to make her birthday extra special.
The girls have been asking and asking “when are we going to get to stay in a hotel again?” As we were driving past a hotel one day, they asked this question and it got my brain moving. Hotels are pretty safe. We wouldn’t have to be in close range with anybody and I figured the pool would be pretty empty at this time of year. We had also been wanting to go to the Birmingham Zoo to see the Chinese lanterns. So we decided to make a trip to Birmingham, go to the zoo, and stay in a hotel.
We still wanted to include our families though, so David’s sister Lindsey (who lives in Birmingham) offered to host a little family party at her house before we went to the zoo that evening. This worked out great! We drove down that morning and got to spend some time with Lindsey and her family while setting up for the party.
We decided to go with a “party animals” theme since we were going to the zoo + Audrey is a big animal lover. According to Audrey her favorite animals are 1. flamingos, 2. elephants, and 3. “all of them.” 😂 She’s the cutest.
Audrey’s Party Animal Birthday Party
I tried to keep the food and decorations very simple. I decided to do a couple desserts and a couple finger foods, but it still ended up being way too much food!
On the menu:
- Pigs in a blanket
- Hedgehog cheese ball
- Funfetti cake with party animals on top (animals from Michaels)
- Cookies (by Pup and People Treats – they were SO CUTE!)
- Cake pops
- Sundrop punch
I decided last minute to make the cake pops since I had cake scraps and extra frosting. I’ve never been great at making cake pops…I can’t seem to get them smooth and perfectly round. But they turned out ok!
As for decorations, I found these on Amazon. I decided to hang them from the ceiling behind the table. Audrey helped me gather up several of the girls’ stuffed animals and I made some party hats for them out of scrap book paper. Lindsey rounded up several of her daughter’s animals and put hats on them as well. I made little hats for the animals on top of the cake too and hot glued them on. All the animals were ready to party!
Lindsey found some light up floating flamingos at Target to put in the punch, which was PERFECT! Audrey loved it!
I had some matching shirts made for all four cousins at Whistle Britches, a local children’s boutique.
Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo
After the party, we headed out for the zoo. It was a perfectly chilly 36 degrees, so we bundled the girls up, and pushed on. It actually did not feel that cold until the wind started to blow near the end. The Chinese lanterns were very cool and the detail on them is incredible! We all had a great time. Even Hannah enjoyed riding kangaroo style in her and looking at the lights.
Hotel Fun
We finished up at the zoo around 7, ordered a pizza from a nearby pizza place – Davenport’s Pizza Palace – and went to check into the hotel. We stayed at the Embassy Suites in Birmingham. We had hoped to be able to swim, but the pool was closed for the evening. So we hung out in the room, ate pizza straight from the box (sooo good!), then we all climbed in bed to watch a movie and eat popcorn. The ultimate hotel experience!
The next morning we were told we could swim at 10. David ended up going out to grab donuts for breakfast before we went down to swim. I did some research before hand on whether or not public pools were safe (I had originally considered having her party at a local indoor pool), and from what I read, the chemicals in the pool kill off Covid and other viruses. On top of that, viruses don’t naturally survive well in water anyway, so swimming in the hotel pool didn’t feel like a risk.
Side note – the fact that I feel the need to explain/justify our decisions, or even research this in the first place, really bums me out. Who else is ready for this virus to be gone so we can do normal things like celebrate birthdays without fear of being judged? 🙋♀️
We swam for a little while, took showers, then checked out and headed toward home. We had planned to stop at Whataburger in Fultondale on our way home, but realized there’s a Mugshots there now! Did yall know this?! Mugshots was our favorite restaurant when we were at Alabama, so of course we decided to stop there for lunch. No way we’re passing up that opportunity! And it was every bit as good as we remembered. Totally worth the extra time on our trip.
I hope that this will be a birthday to remember for Audrey. I thought she may be bummed about not having a friend party, but she was very excited about all the other things we got to do. We’ve never really done experiences for birthdays because we’re such big party people, but I think the kids love experiences just as much.
You may also enjoy:
Audrey’s Flamingo Birthday Party
Audrey’s Trolls Birthday Party
Raley’s Rapunzel Birthday Party
Raley’s Tinker Bell Tea Party
You put together such cute parties! And I totally agree about having to justify your decisions. #overcorona
https://jokerslot191.com/ war123
https://jokergame191.net/ war123
https://joker-123auto.com wow
https://pgslot123auto.com nice
This genuinely is this sort of a fantastic resource that you are furnishing as well as you give it absent fully cost-free. I like observing web page that realize the worth of furnishing a top quality useful resource fully totally free.
I’m particularly delighted to discover your post as it is going to improve to be on main in my assortment of desired weblogs to go to.https://in1.bet/..
Fantastic submitting. Fascinating to look at. I like to examine these an amazing publish-up. Many thanks! It truly is manufactured my endeavor far more and additional easy. Keep on to help keep rocking.
I think This seriously is surely an insightful post and it is extremely useful and experienced. For that reason, I would want to thanks for that attempts you’ve got developed in composing this write-up. https://in12.me/
This textual content provides The sunshine by which we can easily observe The very fact. This may be incredibly great 1 and provides indepth information and facts and facts. Lots of thanks for this wonderful publish.
Hey what a brilliant post I’ve face and trust me I are by now looking for out for this similar type of publish for preceding weekly and barely found this. Thanks an excellent deal and could seem to be For extra postings from you.
This information is usually an pleasing prosperity of enlightening data that is certainly captivating and very perfectly-well prepared. I commend your labor on this and thank you for this specifics. You’ve been given what it is going to consider to receive consideration. ทางเข้าสล็อต
Very good submit. I’ve just stumbled on your weblog and cherished reading your website site posts greatly. I am in search of new posts to obtain far more important details. Important lots of thanks to the helpful details. บาคาร่าออนไลน์
Great job for publishing such a beneficial web site. spinixslot
When I read an article on this topic, slotsite the first thought was profound and difficult, and I wondered if others could understand.. My site has a discussion board for articles and photos similar to this topic. Could you please visit me when you have time to discuss this topic?
Your writing is perfect and complete. casinocommunity However, I think it will be more wonderful if your post includes additional topics that I am thinking of. I have a lot of posts on my site similar to your topic. Would you like to visit once?
Can you tell me where you got the star sprinkles in the base of the cake? I love those color tones but having trouble find those. Thank you!
I appreciate the positive and inclusive community you have built around your blog.
Your blog is like a virtual mentor, guiding us towards a more fulfilling life.
Thank you for sharing your unique gifts and talents with the world through your blog.
Thank you for using your platform to spread positivity and make a difference in the world.
Happiest birthday to Audrey!
I can imagine how challenging it must have been to plan a birthday party during the pandemic.
But it’s clear that you still wanted to make Audrey’s 5th birthday extra special, and I love the creativity that went into celebrating her special day!
As a foodie, I’m curious – what kind of treats did Audrey enjoy on her birthday? Were there any special desserts or party foods that made the day even more memorable?
Here’s to many more happy birthdays, Audrey!
Love how you made her day special despite the pandemic challenges!
What treats made her day sweet ?