Birthday Bash 2016

A lot to celebrate

This year was a very special year, as we had a lot to celebrate. Mr. Higher Ground was turning 40, the kids were turning 6 and 3, the ages where so many new adventures begin, and we had been here on the farm for 8 months. It wasn't just a birthday party, by any means. We wanted to share what we'd been working toward for the past 8 months with our family and some of our new friends.

Birthday fun

The theme of our birthday bash was, appropriately, "Down on the Farm," and was almost like a miniature Fall Festival. We rented a moon walk and slide and tried to incorporate a bit of the farm throughout the evening - from the food to the activities. We even had a feeding time for the goats, chickens and pigs where the children got to feed pumpkin "innards" to the animals. That seemed to really thrill everyone and made them feel a part of farm life, if just for a brief time. All in all, I think it was a really fun time for everyone and the children were all smiles.

Pulling off Paleo

When most people think of birthday parties, the first thing they think of is cake and ice cream, right? Well, we do things a bit differently around here, so there would be no brightly colored, sugary icing, and no store-bought ice cream with God knows what in it (beaver butt). Instead, we threw one heck of a Paleo friendly birthday bash, complete with layers of Butter-Rum-Pear and Vanilla cake, frosted with Maple Vanilla Cream Cheese frosting, and topped with butter toasted pecans. The ice cream? Goat Milk Maple & Banana with milk from our very own goat! The rest was simple - BURGERS! Nothing fancy here, just grass-fed hamburger meat from one of our new farmer friends with the option of lettuce wrapped or on a bun (*cringe*).
You may be wondering how our non-Paleo (and even non-remotely-healthy-eating) friends and family responded to our "different" menu. One of the kids actually said "I can't believe healthy food can taste so good." That was enough thanks for me! Mission accomplished!

After shock

Now everyone has gone home, the bouncy houses are returned, the tables are down, and the cake looks like an attempted murder. All must return to normal but it is a bit hard to believe everything is over.  No more planning. No more stressing. Just the sweet memories made. I couldn't have pulled any of this off without the tremendous efforts put fourth by my dear husband, my mom, my aunt, and my in-laws. They really made this happen and made it all so special while I was a bundle of nerves. Thanks a million times over for your unwavering love, support, and help! Until next year...