Some birthdays come and go, and then there are birthdays you wish you could bottle up forever. Leo turned eight this weekend, and as I sat down to look through these photos, I realized this party became much more than I had imagined. It wasn’t because of elaborate decorations or over-the-top entertainment. It was because for one beautiful July evening, childhood felt wonderfully simple.
When I first started planning Leo’s birthday, I knew I wanted to create something that celebrated this sweet stage of boyhood. Eight truly feels like such a special age. They’re growing up, becoming more independent, and yet they still light up over backyard games, a prize table, and spending hours outside with their best friends.
So instead of chasing the newest party trend, I decided to chase a feeling. I wanted it to feel like the summers we all remember. The kind where kids disappear into a field until the sun starts to set. Where parents visit from picnic tables while the sound of laughter echoes across the park. Where nobody is asking for screens because they’re too busy making memories.
A little bit like The Sandlot.
A little bit like the good old days.
And somehow… that’s exactly what this birthday became.
The evening was filled with exactly the kind of games that never seem to go out of style.
We kicked things off with a baseball toss, football throw, and an always-competitive game of soccer. In between, the boys naturally wandered over to the playground, inventing games of their own and reminding all of us that sometimes the best entertainment is simply giving kids space to play.
After each event, a prize was awarded. The excitement on their faces made me smile every single time. It wasn’t anything extravagant, but sometimes the simplest traditions become the ones they remember most.
One of my favorite moments of the night wasn’t even planned. As the older boys took a break between games, they all gathered around Bear, making him part of the fun. Watching my three boys together—each at such different stages of childhood—was a memory I’ll hold onto forever.
Looking through these photos now, I realize they captured exactly what I hoped this birthday would be.
Just childhood.
Grass-stained knees.
Golden July light.
Friends cheering each other on.
Little brothers trying to keep up with the big kids.
Parents laughing in the background.
Twenty-six boys making memories they’ll hopefully remember for years to come.
A huge thank you to our incredible photographer, Laura Banken, who somehow captured every laugh, every hug, every victory, and every quiet little moment in between
These images feel less like photographs and more like memories we can hold onto forever. I already know they’ll become some of my favorites hanging on the walls of our home.
And to everyone who came to celebrate Leo, thank you. You made an eight-year-old boy feel incredibly loved, and that’s the greatest gift of all.
Happy 8th Birthday, Leo.
If these photos remind me of anything, it’s this: the good old days aren’t behind us.
Sometimes, we’re lucky enough to realize we’re living them.
Party Details
Theme: The Good Old Days — a nostalgic summer games party inspired by classic childhood summers.
Decor: Green gingham tablecloths, a vintage-inspired sports backdrop, pennants, and simple picnic-style touches.
Games: Soccer, baseball toss, football throw, playground free play, and prizes after every event.
Party Favors: Vintage bandana, wooden pencil, carabiner compass, custom embroidered iron-on patch, and a medal.
Cake: Whole Foods vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream (highly recommend!).
My biggest takeaway? Don’t underestimate the magic of simple. Give kids room to run, friends to laugh with, a few classic games, and a warm summer evening, and they’ll create the memories all on their own.
Maybe the good old days aren’t something we look back on. Maybe they’re the ordinary summer evenings we’re living right now – the ones our children will remember forever.
