The Birthday Party

What: Kira's 5th Birthday Party
When: Sunday, July 17 at 10:00 AM
Where: Old McDebbie's Farm

Our Phone: 206-387-7878


The party will be at Old McDebbie's Farm and Jim's U-Fish in Spanaway. The farm is about an hours drive from Bellevue and well worth the trip (see the map). We took a trip down there last Sunday and Max and Kira both said it was a totally cool place to play even if they didn't catch any fish!

We have the birthday area reserved from 10 am to 1 pm. We'll move over to the main farm after the party is over and spend the rest of the day fishing (no license required), hanging out, and just having fun with our friends.

And, yes, there will be pony rides!!

The Party

• Dress-up party room with tons of costumes
• Play area
• Ball pit
• Club house
• Monkey bars/swings
• Adventure boat
• Pony rides

We also have access to:

• Petting farm
• Duck races
• Eye spy trail
• Musical forest
• Fishing for trout
• Swings, slides, and playhouses
• A real boat to play in
• Sand pit with trucks, cars, and things to play with

Farm animals include… 

alpacas, bunnies, chickens, donkeys, doves, emus, goats, guinea pigs, llamas, peacocks, pheasants, pigs, ponies, sheep, kittens, little goats you can pick up – and one very big camel.

The pond is stocked with trout so all it takes is a little patience to catch a fish. We'll bring poles and bait to share, but you're welcome to bring your own.

We want cake, we want cake, where's our cake?

Lunch includes hot dogs on the grill, potato salad, chips, veggies, drinks – and, of course, cake (or cupcakes).

Snacks and drinks will be available throughout the day.

Potluck dinner at the farm

We're planning to have an early dinner at the farm before we head home. We'll bring our grill so just bring food for your family (or enough to share with everyone).

What should I bring to the party?

Good cheer
Folding chairs
Fishing poles and bait
Drum sticks (for the musical forest)
Outdoor toys for kids and adults
Change of clothes in case you fall in the pond
Something for dinner

We hope you can all join us for a fabulous fifth birthday party for Kira Grace!

Do I bring a gift?

As most of you know, Kira already has almost everything a five-year-old could want. Our house is overflowing with dolls, stuffed animals, kitchen sets, and tons of tiny, tiny things.

Someday we'll have a "no gifts" party but we'll wait until it's Kira's idea and not ours. So, in respect for our sleek new great room and an overflowing pink bedroom, here's a list of small-in-size gift ideas:

• A donation to Half the Sky Foundation, or a charity of your choice.
• Art supplies, washable markers, scotch tape, and paper.
• Sticker, stickers, and more stickers.
• Doll clothes for Barbie, Ken, and Polly Pocket.
• Books, movies, or games (see Kira's Amazon Wish List).
• Car toys (small, entertaining things to play with while traveling).

For those of you who want to bring just cards, I salute you!

What if it rains?

The party is on – rain or shine! There is an indoor party room as well as a kids club house for us to play in. And as you know, a little rain in the morning doesn't always mean that it rains all day. If it's raining, bring boots, raincoats, umbrellas, and a change of clothes.

If it's pouring (and has been for days), we'll move the party to our house and try to come to the farm another weekend. We'll post details on this blog if there's any change of plans.

Old McDebbie had a farm

Half the Sky Foundation

The time they spend in the institution, many months at least and often many years, has a tremendous impact on orphaned children’s long term development.

For the children who will never be adopted, Half the Sky programs are the closest thing they will ever receive to the love and support of a birth family.  Orphanage caregivers are too often over-worked and under-trained.  Too often, there is no one else to provide the children with the developmental opportunities (and love!) that every child needs and deserves.

Thousands of children are now enrolled in Half the Sky’s five programs that provide love and hope for children living in China’s orphanages.

One of our favorite programs is The Baby Sisters Infant Nurture Program, where Half the Sky employs, trains and supervises local women to work as full-time nannies, providing orphaned babies the stimulation, bonding, and affection that are essential to a healthy start.

Corl and I have sponsored a baby in this program every year since 2006, the year our dossier was logged in China. We loved the program and never thought about it on a personal level other than what wonderful work they did. Much to our surprise, we found out that Kira was one of their babies and had been loved and nurtured by some very special nannies. We believe that this played in big part in how easily she came to love us and how quickly we all bonded.

Here's a picture of Kira with her special nanny:

Directions to the party

1. Head south on I-405
2. Take exit 2A to merge onto WA-167 S toward Kent/Auburn
3. Take the exit onto WA-512 W toward WA-161 S/Puyallup/Olympia
4. Take the exit toward Eatonville
5. Turn left onto 31st Ave SW
6. Continue straight onto WA-161 S/Meridian Ave E
7. Turn right onto 224th St E
8. Turn left onto 70th Ave E
9. Turn right onto 260th St E/Benston Kapowsin Rd
10. Turn left onto WA-7 S/Rice Kandle Rd
11. Take the 1st left onto 268th St E, farm will be on the right.