parks’ second birthday | dinos + donuts

this past weekend, we spent a morning with our loved ones celebrating parks’ second birthday. it was quite bittersweet and i cannot believe that he is already two. for his second birthday, we went with a dinos + donuts brunch to incorporate his love for his beloved jellycat dino, moe moe, and his deep fondness for donuts- aka ‘nonuts’. planning his party was a lot of fun and i truly enjoyed the process. i am overjoyed with how it all turned out and am excited to share this special day with you all. i feel like he knew we were having a party for him that day and he loved playing with the other kids that came to celebrate. this past monday, january 15, was his actual birthday and we celebrated with a trip to ‘my gym,’ dancing/playing with his #2 balloon, lunch at an old school burger joint + a strawberry shake. i also wrote him a letter that day, a letter to my son | today you turn two.  oh, your momma loves you so. having family and friends together while celebrating someone you adore so much is going to be one of my favorite past times… i just know it. and sweet parks- i hope you loved your little birthday gathering, too.

i went ‘old school’ and made the cake the night before with funfetti + rainbow chip icing
these were the favors, along with painting small dinos to take home + tattoos
and donut doggie bags for all.
the dino masks were a hit! even the adults played along 
food served | this hash brown sausage casserole, bagels (whipped and pumpkin cream cheese), fruit, granola, and vanilla yogurt for parfaits, muffins, cookies, and lots and lots of donuts! 
drinks served | mimosas, a pitcher of water with lemons, and a coffee station 
kid activities | coloring sheets, painting dino figurines with watercolors, dino tattoos + masks, toys
sweatshirt: the spotted goose (the cutest shop in cincinnati) . jeans + boots: cat & jack for target
i spray painted a dino gold for the cake topper 
i love that he tucked his sunglasses into his shirt!
the coffee station 
he blew the candles out one by one and so animated… everyone laughed.
i spray painted ten dinos white to paint with watercolors 
this one might be my favorite photo of the whole day 
i love my boys- so much.
and after the party… it’s the after party. 
other gatherings you might enjoy | 
birthday party details | 
invitations: etsy 
two balloon: amazon
paper mache dinosaurs: target
letter board: letterfolk
gold pom poms for cake: etsy
mini clip boards: amazon
dino print for favors: etsy 
tassels: amazon
donut holders: etsy
sprinkle heart cookies: starbucks 
gold candles: etsy
dino masks: amazon
polka dot cups: amazon
dino tattoos: amazon
pom pom garland: target | christmas decor 
dinos to paint: amazon
wooden p: target 

Comments (24)

  • Everyday Kate

    January 17, 2018 at 4:16 pm

    I am in LOVE with this idea, and you captured it beautifully!! The color scheme and the setup is just beautiful, I'm sure Parks had a wonderful birthday!

    1. nelle monaco

      January 17, 2018 at 4:20 pm

      awe, so sweet. i really enjoyed planning it and i think he loved it. thank you so much!! so nice of you and hope you have a wonderful day! xo

  • Sara

    January 17, 2018 at 4:39 pm

    What a sweet post! And a great set up for the party — kid friendly and still very pretty and classy. 🙂

    1. nelle monaco

      January 18, 2018 at 3:26 am

      thank you so much!! it was a great time <3 so sweet of you

  • Unknown

    January 17, 2018 at 6:08 pm

    BEAUTIFUL photos! My son is getting ready to turn 3 and is obsessed with dinosaurs. We will be having a similar theme.

    1. nelle monaco

      January 18, 2018 at 3:27 am

      thank you!! and little boys are so much fun… hope your son's party is wonderful!

  • Julie | A Hopeful Hood

    January 17, 2018 at 6:18 pm

    This is adorable!! Dinos + donuts is the cutest theme ever. And the coloring on clipboards for kids PLUS the coffee station for adults….you crushed it, girl!!

    1. nelle monaco

      January 18, 2018 at 3:27 am

      you are the best!! thank you SO much! I really loved doing it. xo

  • Marette F

    January 17, 2018 at 9:53 pm

    This is so adorable! I love the theme.

    1. nelle monaco

      January 18, 2018 at 3:28 am

      thank you so much!! so nice of you!

  • Taylor

    January 17, 2018 at 11:12 pm

    Janelle

    Such a cute theme. Everything looked awesome! love the chic look you have going on. Your baby boy is such a cutie and looks like he enjoyed it.

    Taylor <3

    1. nelle monaco

      January 18, 2018 at 3:28 am

      thank you so much!! that is so sweet of you – he's such a good boy and we have fun! xo

  • Alex

    January 18, 2018 at 12:25 am

    These are SO CUTE!! I love the aesthetic of your home and that cake looks so delicious!! What kind of camera do you use to shoot?? XX Alex lifeasalex.com

    1. nelle monaco

      January 18, 2018 at 3:29 am

      thank you so much!! i really appreciate it- so sweet. i use my iphone 7 actually but I do have a nikon as well. have a great week an thank you again

    2. nelle monaco

      January 18, 2018 at 3:30 am

      *and 🙂

  • Natalie

    January 18, 2018 at 8:28 pm

    What a cute party! I love all the little elements and the dinos!

    1. nelle monaco

      January 19, 2018 at 12:37 am

      so sweet!! thank you so much, i loved planning it (and he had so much fun!!)

  • Autumn @ Autumn All Along

    January 19, 2018 at 2:50 am

    What a lucky little boy- his birthday party is absolutely darling! My friend's little boy loves dinosaurs and I bet she would love to get some inspiration from your post!

    1. nelle monaco

      January 23, 2018 at 2:56 pm

      Awe, thank you so much and please tell her that I am here if she needs anything at all!! Thank you so much for the kind words

  • Catherine Short

    January 22, 2018 at 5:20 pm

    I love that you made a funfetti cake. 😉 Phoenix has a Jellycat rabbit and it's his absolute favorite!

    1. nelle monaco

      January 23, 2018 at 2:57 pm

      haha- thanks, girl!! and we have some of the bunnies- so cute. the jellycats are all just too cute for words. xo

  • Rachel

    January 23, 2018 at 3:15 am

    The donuts and cake look delicious! I can definitely imagine that a dinosaur theme would be perfect for his party! And kids have so much fun with watercolor painting, that's one of my favorite activities to get out for the little ones!

    1. nelle monaco

      January 23, 2018 at 2:58 pm

      thank you so much!! it means so much and they had a lot of fun and LOVED the painting! hope you're doing well

  • Unknown

    July 6, 2018 at 9:00 pm

    This is such a great birthday idea!!! …also because I am personally obsessed with both dinos and donuts lol

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