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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Ashby, Parties ·

Ashby’s Resort Birthday!


Good morning, friends!

If I look a little more tan and a bit more tired today, it’s because I spent the end of last week having the BEST time with Ashby and Bowen for her 9th birthday!

This year, Ashby asked if we could go to the Gaylord Texan Resort not far from our house for her birthday in lieu of a party.  Well, you know what a sucker Andrew and I are for experiences over parties and presents, so we lined up a super fun-filled day to celebrate our girl’s birthday!

We picked up her bestie and drove over to the resort to check our bags before hitting their waterpark for the day!  They were SO excited in the car!  We listened to 80s Rock Party Radio on Pandora and laughed the whole 30 minute drive over 🙂 .

We arrived at the waterpark just in time for lunch and…

…snow cones!

After that, we spent the entire day playing at the park.  I don’t have a ton of pics because I was too busy having FUN with these two!

 

 

 

 

 

The food was fantastic (they ate so much!), the weather was waterpark perfect and for a hot minute, they allowed me to sit down and chill.  Ha!  It was a great day!

When it was time getting time for dinner, we took the trolley back up to the resort and checked out our room

Here they are on our balcony.  I was watching them through the glass.  Those two have the sweetest friendship.  It doesn’t matter that one’s a boy and the other is a girl, they’re just besties.  Also, when did they get this big???  Look how old they look out there!!

…they’re supposed to be little 😉 .

The view from our room was pretty cool as it looked out into the huge atrium of the resort.  After we checked things out, we headed to…

…the sports bar for dinner!  These two LOVE watching sports on TV and were super happy to trash talk each other and watch their teams play.

After dinner, we checked out everything currently happening at the resort…

…we hit up the arcade!

 

…and had the best time!

My favorite part?  We must have played a million card games that night and the next morning.  We were all cozy in our room playing cards and laughing. I went to sleep at 10:00 and they stayed up watching a movie.  It was a really sweet way to celebrate this sweet girl turning nine.  We love you, Bowen!!!

Okay, if you want to see other party posts, here you go…

To see Kensington’s parties from years past, here you go…
Kensington Turns 12
Kensington’s Pottery Party
Kensington’s Big Apple Birthday
Kensington’s Trolls Swim Party
Kensington’s Spa Party
American Girl Birthday 
Kensington’s British Bash
Kensington’s Pumpkin Patch
Kensington’s French Bistro
Kensington’s Tangled Up Birthday
Kensington’s Cider Mill
Kensington’s First Birthday
To see Smith’s parties from years past, here you go…
Smith’s Snowboarding Birthday Part 3
Smith’s Snowboarding Birthday Part 2
Smith’s Snowboarding Birthday
Smith’s Hunting Party
Smith’s Dino Day 
Smith Stadium
Camp Smith
Smith’s Surf Shop
Smith’s Ski Lodge
Smith’s First Par-tee
To see Ashby’s birthdays from years past, here you go…
We DONUT believe she’s eight!
Ashby’s Hawaiian Birthday Bash
Ashby’s Frozen Swim Party
Have a  great day!!
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Comments

  4. DEBORISH BAILEY says

    Looks like good times were had. They both are looking like teenagers. Did you get a birthday sign this year?

  6. Melissa Terry says

    What a fun birthday! We love experience gifts around here and Gaylord is the most fun!

  7. Amy Heinl says

    What a great birthday. Looks like Ashby and Bowen had a blast. The picture of them looking over the balcony was such a surprise to see how much they have grown. What a blessing their friendship is to one another

  10. Dawn says

    Happy Belated Birthday Ashby! What a great idea she had for her big day and what a lucky girl to have such a sweet friend to share her fun day with!

  11. Michele says

    Well…that is the sweetest thing I’ve read lately. I love their little friendship. They are modeling after you and Erica. 🙂 Happy birthday sweet Ashby!

  13. lori says

    i always love seeing the birthday signs your friend makes. can you show us the one she made for Ashby this year?

  14. Mother Henn says

    As my kids get older, they’re opting for experiences over parties as well. I really love it myself (cause Mama is getting older too! LOL) ! Seems like a perfect way to celebrate and get in some good quality time.

  19. Caitlin says

    Wow, looks like such a wonderful birthday!! Do your other kids ever get jealous when you take one kid to an event and not the others? I know you do a great job of making them all feel special and have their special one-on-one time with each parent but sometimes it’s hard to remember that as a youngster.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I really don’t think they do. We try to be fair about things, but at the same time, life isn’t fair and certain things are harder/unfair for certain kids in our family and that in general, we do “about” the same things and offer up the same opportunities for each of them but that each kiddo just needs/gets to do different things at different times. So far, K and S have both taken trips for their birthdays and at some point, I’m sure M will too, so everyone was genuinely excited for Ashby. My kids always know that friend parties are options and so are smaller, more intimate birthdays…they all kind of pick a variety based on the year/circumstances.

      • Aimee Havens says

        As a human, I appreciate this approach. But, as a teacher, I LOVE this approach. It’s my job to meet every students needs in the classroom and that looks different for everyone. Nothing is more refreshing than students who aren’t “keeping track” but lead with empathy to not only understand things will look different when everyone is living in their full power but to feel real joy for others getting their needs met. In a classroom community, seeing my students cheer for another getting something special is when I know we have become truly connected. I am sure your kids are leaders in their classroom when it comes to kindness and empathy….and that doesn’t happen by accident!

  20. Deena says

    What a special birthday for sweet Ashby! It looks like you all had a great time! You made me want to go to the Gaylord Texan for a staycation.

  22. Erika Slaughter says

    Bowen haD THE best time hanging with the two of you to celebrate Ashby’s birthday. He was pumped about the FUN had!

  26. Mary Dollar says

    This is the first thing I read/saw this morning. It just made me so happy!!! I love that they are besties. I know it was a pretty great birthday for Ashby and that Bowen got to celebrate it with her!!! ♥️?

  29. Liz Thorson says

    How special and wonderful that Ashby was able to celebrate her birthday with her bestie, just as she wanted to at that fun resort! Happy 9th Birthday to you, dear Ashby!

  30. Natalie says

    Aw that’s so sweet! Looks like that sweet girl had a great birthday! Also, coming from a therapy standpoint I couldn’t help to notice how great her hand looks in this pic!! I’ve prayed for her little arm and her and will continue! Lord does miracles everyday and I will continue to believe He gives her a complete healing!

  35. Laura Konrade says

    Love this…such a sweet friendship and I agree that “experiences” are such a wonderful way to celebrate birthdays. We let our kids choose between a party or a “family adventure” as we call it. Nine times out of 10 they choose the family adventure! Love all the memories we’re going to have celebrating their birthdays together!

  38. Danna F says

    Smiling through the whole post. Almost could hear the laughs and giggles. Ashby is such a sweet strong girl. Love her relationship with Bowen..the sweetest! Happy belated Birthday to Ashby!

  40. Karah Stracener says

    Happy Happy Birthday to sweet Ashby. It looks like she had the best celebration. Their friendship is so sweet, love it.