4Th Birthday Party

You could rent a bounce house.
Atomic Bounce is in the York, Pa area
http:/myspace.com/321bounce

My daughter's birthday is in Mid-October and I've done a few themed birthday parties for her (she just turned 8). Since its so close to Halloween you could make it a Halloween party to get some mileage out of the costumes? Also, there are plenty of books for ideas on Halloween parties--activities and foods and drinks to go with and favors.
My other favorite theme was a tea party. Girls all dressed up and they decorated straw hats, wore gloves and ate tea sandwiches, chocolate dipped strawberries and marshmallows. (served on a tray) You can go to the Restaurant supply store and get some plain white teacups and saucers and have the girls decorate them or decorate them yourself with their names on them in lieu of placecards at the glammed up table!
My favorite food idea with a kids party is PIZZA--focus on the kids at that age and not the food!

H.,
What does SHE like (theme wise)? If it's princesses, just make your food princess-y. (Example My Lady's Lasagna, Princess pasta, etc.) I think it will be do-able to grill even if it's cold (that's what husbands, fathers, etc. are for!) You could keep it really simple with hot dogs, burgers & chicken on the grill, baked beans, pasta/potato salad, etc. That's what I often end up doing.
If it's mostly kids, they'll all like a hot dog or a hamburger...then maybe have a really fantastic cake! Good luck--have fun!

you could do an under the sea theme, then if it rains you can make octopus hotdogs and keep them warm in a crockpot. You slice the hotdog before boiling it and then the "appendages" curl.. check it out on the internet.

Dear H.,
I wasn't real clear as to whether you had mostly adults/family coming or whether this was more of a "kid" party, but either way, provided you have almost any kind of porch covering, you can still grill. I work in a children's group @ my church on Friday nights & we had planned at cookout @ my home as the prize for a challenge that we did. Best of all, the kids would get to spend time with the leaders outside of class. Of course it rained! However, my hubby, being the tough it out sort, just took the grill to the front porch & grilled on the front porch. We ate in the living room, as opposed to doing everything in the back yard. The kids still had a blast & I didn't have to change any of the menu that I'd already planned! :) Good luck with your party!

Some things that have gone over well w/ our parties: Mac & Cheese, Roast Beef w/ gravy in the crockpot, meatballs.

I found a great EASY mac & cheese recipe that my girls love. Cook the pasta, keep a little of the water before draining. Once you strain the pasta, cut up a block or two of Brie (depending on how much pasta) & throw it in the pot, dump the pasta on top & let it melt the cheese a bit & then stir to distribute. Take some fresh basil if you have it, roll the leaves up & then slice thin, throw those in too. If your kids like, take some grape tomatoes, cut in half & throw those in as well. You can use the saved pasta water if it seems a little dry. I also sometimes will use half/half or cream if I have it. My kids love this & have been begging for it.

I like to find things that are easy to throw together in advance or quickly so I don't have to be away from the party for too long.

I also have done mexican for a Dora party but...honestly, the kids didn't remember the food theme so going w/ very easy, very accessible food is just the way to go now for me.

If you don't mind a little bit of cold or getting a little wet you can probably still grill outside. We have a few die hards in our neighborhood who grill all year long with grills just outside their garage or kitchen and/or holding umbrellas. If that won't work for you what about broiling or using an indoor grill like a George Foreman? The Foreman might not be feasible if you are having a lot of people.

It is hard to give food theme ideas without knowing what themes interest you and your daughter. If you don't have a theme picked already and she likes the Wiggle that is an easy theme to do since they have so many songs pertaining to food. A year ago we did Henry the Octopus hot dogs (as described by another mom), mashed banana pudding desserts, Anthony's fruit salad, warm potato salad (for hot potatoes), pasta salad (for cold spaghetti). Our local grocery store had a Wiggles kit for cakes so we had them decorate a cake.

Have fun!

Can I assume the menu is more for adults? I've made BBQ pulled brisket in the slow cooker. Serve on buns and have potato salad and carrot and celery sticks as sides. It went over well (i.e. no leftovers!). I also once made a large pan of baked rigatoni (easier than lasagna) and had garlic bread and a salad with it. I did most of the work the night before.