Once Ben came home from work, everyone got their camp gear on, we set up the tent (one that Ben’s mom and dad used to use), lit up the grill and put out the tree trunks and logs (all brought over by my BFF), pulled out the hotdogs and buns, laid out the blankets, grabbed some sleeping bags, and was ready to celebrate our Bravey turning 4 with a backyard “Camp Out”!
We all just had fun relaxing outside (okay, I did stress a little as I was getting things ready and may have been a bit short with Ben). Ben got some bubbles and flashlights for the girls to play with, we roasted hot dogs, made smores, sang “Happy Birthday”, gave Brave some presents, and everything was fine and dandy. I think it was just what our four year old wanted!
Since we were camping out, I wanted a smores-ish cake and came across a recipe for this Chocolate-Graham Cracker Refrigerator Cake. It was pretty yummilicious and so easy to make! It doesn’t really taste like smores, but it did its job nonetheless and as long as the birthday girl loves it, well that is good enough for me.
I must disclose that I had no intention of camping outside at all. This giant belly of mine makes me use the restroom so often, that I wasn’t going to sleep outside. No siree. I need easy access to the bathroom. Soul wasn’t going to sleep outside either because she doesn’t know how to sleep with us and only knows how to sleep in her crib. We were the wimps and slept inside.
Ben and the big girls really did go to sleep outside. I bid them goodnight around 10:30, but True and Brave were already zonked in the tent when Ben went to bed. They started the night outside, but they came in the house around 2 in the morning because Ben had a crick in has neck (which took a week to resolve) and our neighbor’s dog’s barking kept them from sleeping anyway, so in the house they went! Oh well… we tried.
Our Brave is a special girl and we wanted to make sure to give her a special fourth birthday! We thank God for giving her to us and are so blessed by her constant sweet and loving spirit. We love you Bravey!!!
Very sweet.
On an unrelated note, does Brave have eczema? Just wanted to share that I had severe eczema until I finally stopped eating gluten. It was hard at first but wort it.
Brave makes THE BEST faces! I love everything about the camp out. Such a great way to celebrate!
What a fun way to celebrate a birthday! I gotta say, every time your little Brave is on her, she just makes me laugh :o)
this is such a precious perty idea…you are one amazing Godly mother! Happy Birthday little Brave!!
SO SWEET!!! What a wonderful idea. It looks like you had a great time. Love it.
This is so perfect! Happy Birthday to your beautiful Brave!
I'd better not show these wonderful pictures to my almost-4-year old because otherwise I'm sure he wants to camp outside for his birthday too:)
Love the t-shirts!
Geez Ruby, your creativity never fails to amaze me! This is just so awesome and these girls are lucky to have you as a mom 🙂 Reading your blog makes me want to have babies right away…i might need to stop coming here!
You are the best parents! This looks like so much fun. We've done this with our boys minus the tank tops, and all the cute flags and super duper cake 🙂 And my boys also ended up inside around midnight. Happy Birthday Brave!
How cute is this? I especially love the tank top design. Who doesn't want a custom logo for their birthday, right? Your fam is adorable! Xo, Katie
Excellent fun x
Brave has the most fabulous facial expressions. That hot dog photo is just too much! Camping is so much fun, even if it is your own backyard. Great job!
looks like you guys made some awesome memories!
so magical!!
All right, you win.
way to take your girls unusual (awesome, but unusual) birthday request and make it so special. I hope you never let anyone make you feel like all the hard work and stress you put into these things isn't worth it, cause I know your family appreciates it. You are a good mama.
what a cute idea! i love those little tshirts too. 🙂
I just love when your girls have birthdays! 😉
The parties you throw for them are just so inspiring. You keep it frugal, but it's all about them and what they want to have, and you make it beautiful! I LOVE them!
Happy Birthday to Brave!
Sarah M
So sweet, what a cute idea! You're so creative!
Happy b-day Brave!
Brave is looking JUST like Ben. So adorable
can i come and live with you guys? this looks so much fun!!!
You and Ben are so creative!! The t-shirts are so cute!! The whole idea is so adorable!!
Happy Birthday Brave! If you all would like to really go camping after ze bebe is born come over here such pretty spots to choose from. Miss you!
BTW we'll be in cali from the 24-28th hypnose yourself into birth so I can see that baby 🙂
your children are sooooooo beautiful and your ideas are endless! You are the best! i always love your posts!
whoohooo, this was a really cool and fun b-day party, congrats on your creativity!
and kids are sooo adorable 🙂
Happy birthday Brave! That is one of the sweetest camp outs ever. 🙂
aw, this is great!! 🙂 i love everything.. i love all of your themed birthdays/occassions and how you go all out for all of your kiddos+husband! this particular party also reminds me of the time i tried backyard camping for my friend's bday. we were also sent inside around 2am due to the neighbors dog! quite fun, though not nearly as awesome, festive as brave's birthday! <3 happy 4th birthday to brave, btw!
Awww really such a sweet birthday camp-out! Boy, Brave looks like she plays rough with all those boo-boos! 🙂
My daughter wants to know if we can do this in the park across the street ?
You have one cool kid to ask for a camp out! You guys seemed to pull it off perfectly! 😉
This is such a cute idea! I've now decided that I'm having a camp out like this for my next birthday… I'll be 20, hahaa.
Just want to say that I love your blog. You have so many cute ideas, and some stinking cute kiddos.
ADORABLE!!!
Camping is so magical for kids too. Cute ideas and cute kids!
xo,
Kate
http://www.cinnamonink.blogspot.com
awe!!! I love this! happy birthday sweet brave! my 2nd one, pia will be turning 4 this year too!
you are such an amazing mother
and brave is so cute, i love her faces!
what a fun idea.
So sweet! Your girls are just so adorable. 🙂
how fun!!!!!
Lucky Brave! That looks like such a fun birthday activity.
And love hearing that you had a little stress. Preparing events usually creates a bit of shortness from me towards the baby space man too 🙂
Ah, I want to do this for my birthday, too! Hmm…I think I said the same thing about True's pony-riding birthday. Would you like to adopt me? I am a tidy 28-year-old. I'll do all your ironing, I promise.
Wow! This is the most precious little b-day party ever! I love all the details you included to make Brave feel special! You are such a sweet mommy 🙂 Also, those shirts your husband made are AWESOME.
xo, Brittan
That is the most adorable 4th birthday party I have ever seen!
xo, rv
http://aneclecticheap.blogspot.com/
oh my goodness!!! i never get tired of seeing those crazy faces brave makes!!! such lovely little baby girls!!!
A BIG Happy Birthday to Brave!!! This is just too cute… you come up with the best birthday parties. And those t-shirts– Ben could definitely get a job as a designer if he wanted.
Happy belated birthday Brave!!
Brave is soooo outgoing & soooo adorable!!
Love it!!
Ahh too cute! Happy 4th birthday Brave – we aren't far behind you with a 4th birthday here too! love x
So special–it looks like the perfect time! Love those fabric flags!
I love the pictures!! You have beautiful girls! Love the camp tanks such a cute idea the whole time.
I admire your parenting.. I like the idea your children get to pick something to do. They apparently were raised right they aren't asking for anything over the top.
you are my fave blog to read.
your girls are SO darling! what a fun birthday!