The Party!

And the last of the Construction Birthday Party posts...

Pictures

Construction Birthday Printables

For the big birthday I created some printables. These little details just help personalize the party a little more. I find it easier just to make what I want then try to find what I am looking for. I used the internet, picnik.com and Microsoft programs to create the following.

Invitation

These invitations I picked up from Microsoft Word Templates. I modified them to be postcard side and created a second page to print on the back with addresses.

Coloring Pages

Dump Truck

  Construction Site                        

                        

 Cutouts
I printed these cards (there are various cards) on card stock and cut them out to display in various placed.

Hat Labels

 I printed these on sticker paper then cut them out and stuck them on the hats.

Construction Birthday Party Decorations

Ah, the big day has come and gone! It could not have been smoother or more fun! The kids had a great time playing which allowed the parents to enjoy a little conversation. It was a success!

Now here are the details!

I ordered just about everything from Oriental Trading Company! They are the best! This banner came from them. I originally got it for a row of pictures, one from each month of his second year, but it was so big I could cut it up and use it in numerous places. I did cut each triangle apart because the space between them was too wide. I just used a glue gun to stick them back together. It really was not a big deal. I believe it came with a 100 feet, which was way too much but allowed for some added decorations around the house inside and out.

This banner is the reason I bought it in the first place. I put a picture of Jacob from each month- 13 through 24. I did this last year and really loved seeing how much he changed so I wanted to include it again this year. He has changed so much in the last 4 months it is unbelievable! I made a sign like a construction sign that said, "Jake's Second Year." I will link to this on my printables post. I used the website picnik.com to write each month on the picture. This is a dummied down photoshop and I love it. It is free or you can upgrade for about $25 bucks a year!

Here are a few other places I included the banner. The last picture is the party favor table I placed the tool belts in a tool box for display. I made a printable for the banner that said, "Thank you for helping us celebrate." The truck is just an added decoration.

Another party favor were these hats. I bought them through Oriental Trading and just added the sticker (Printable page) with each child's name and a few foam stickers, again through Oriental Trading. The kids could grab the hats during the party but I saved the tool belts for when they left. These children were young and I knew that pieces would be lost or mixed up as the party progressed if I handed it out at the beginning of the party. Plus it helped the little ones say goodbye without tears.

Horrible picture, but here is a wreath I made. I will use this as a prop in a photo shoot for his birthday pictures as well. 

 

Here are foam stickers of road signs I bought at Oriental Trading Company. I received a HUGE bag of them and just used them as decorations all over. I took one and stuck it to a string then put the matching sign on the opposite side and hung the string from the chandelier. 

This is the food table. I did not serve a meal just finger foods. In the corner you can see a bucket with a sign reading, "Dirt Pudding." Here is a link to the recipe. Appropriate for the theme! :)

I printed two different coloring pages for the children. (printables) One was a picture of a dump truck and the other was a construction area. I placed them on this window seat with two buckets of crayons and some truck books. I did not know if anyone would read or color but it was an option. We did have a couple 

color-ers and book readers. It was a nice way to defuse a sticky situation. 

And the most important decoration... The DIG, DIG Table! 

I had a train table that I placed in the center of the room with pea rocks in it. I then made some road signs to decorate it with and filled in the trucks, bowls, cups and shovels. By husband thought I was nuts and told me he would have no part of the clean-up if I went through with this! But after the party he was willing to admit it was a HIT! It would obviously be better suited for outside but here in Tennessee it is just too hot to have an outdoor party in August! At least for a 8 month pregnant lady, like myself!!

The last part of decorations is the cake! I was planning on making a cake but being 8 months pregnant and having a tiny kitchen in a HOT August I decided to buy one. This one could not have been a better choice. I picked it up at Publix. 

The decorations always seem to help set the mood of a party. Although we rent and I DO NOT love the house or paint colors/wall paper, I try to make the most of it for the party. 

Construction Party- Party Favors

For the party favors I knew exactly what I wanted to do! Jake loves dressing up and I knew the other children do too. So I wanted to include some dress-up items.

I went over to Home Depot and picked up these tool belts. They were $0.77 a piece. I embellished them a bit by adding the children's names and a few foam tools. The foam tools are beads that came from Oriental Trading Company. I love this store! I have used them for years, through my teaching career.

I used the foam beads to make necklaces. I initially bought them to use as an activity during the party. But after receiving them I decided they were too small for the children to bead by themselves. I included the necklaces in the tool belt. 

I included these plastic water squirters. I thought they were cute and fit perfectly with the theme. I placed one of the squirters in the tool belt. 

The last thing I included was a small plastic dump truck. Inside the dump truck was a notepad, crayons and stickers. 

I wrapped the tool belts up with the child's name showing. I plan on displaying them as part of the decorations until the end of the party. We will see if the kids let me do that! All of the items inside came from Oriental Trading and I also bought construction hard hats. I plan to put those out for the children during the party. I made sticker labels for those and will post pictures of those later. They will be the "party hats" so the kids will hopefully want to wear them! I am getting so excited! 

Second Birthday- part 1

I cannot even begin to believe that Jacob is almost two years old! I am so proud of the little guy and love getting to know him and watching him grow everyday!

Preparations are well on their way for the birthday party! I went back and forth about even having one but decided that we would have a small party with his friends. The party theme is Dig, Dig (Construction). Jacob is obsessed with all things construction! He has actually been fascinated with construction since last October!!   When planning the party I pulled out my Party Planning Template again and started brainstorming.

 

I just googled construction birthday parties and found a great supply of resources. There are so many creative people out there so, I Copied That! Here are the plans I made for Jake's party.

I have started getting the decorations ready and the party favors together as well. It is so fun and I just can't wait to see Jake's face when he sees the house decorated and his friends over all ready to "Dig, Dig!"

Little Girl Birthday Gift

Julia loved her gift! She actually told me, "When I opened it I knew I was going to have to write a BIG thank you note for this gift!"

The gift consisted of the art case, a fabric covered notebook with lined paper, a fabric covered notepad with plain paper, color pencils, crayon pencils, pencils, erasers, and a protractor. All supplies that she can use to inspire creativity.

What a success and what a great feeling giving a homemade gift! Try it soon!

Art Case

In looking for a birthday gift for my sweet neighbor I had to think back to being seven. What would I have wanted? I then searched the blog world with the thought of a 'arts or crafts' theme. I found the cutest art case that I knew right-a-way this was the way to go!

Carrie from This Mama Makes Stuff made the cutest case and added a tutorial so we can all make one as well!! Not being the best sewer, I did have a few problems while following the tutorial but I managed to push through! :)

I made a few changes; larger pocket for 'tools' AND I added some decorative fabric on the front. Not because I intended to do so but because I started making the case with the reversible fabric backwards! BOO!

I think is worked out well after all. You truly need to think through the tutorial and work though it before you start it is somewhat complicated. The best idea for the case is using quilted fabric! I have not used it before and I was very please with it and did not have trouble sewing with it! 

Thanks This Mama Makes Stuff, I copied that!

Birthday Shirt

You can find birthday shirts, especially first birthday shirts, everywhere! I wanted to do something a little more special for my little fellow and I wanted it to follow the party theme.

First thing first, I had to find a plain t-shirt. That was a chore of its own! I was not picky about color but it had to fit and I wanted it to be plain so that I could embellish it! I settled on a brown front pocket tee. (Best I could do! Thanks Target!!)

Now what?? I went through my fabric scraps to get some inspiration. The party theme colors were brown, blue and green. I found some felt fabric that had clouds on it, good start. I decided to cut out a one with the fabric. After placing the one on the shirt I decided to embellish it more. I used some brown and white plaid fabric to go behind the 1. Then I cut out a bird from a blue fabric. Lastly, I embroidered Jacob into the shirt pocket. I zigzag sewed the items on the shirt so I could give it a scrapy look. I washed it after I sewed it to allow the scrapy edges to come out.

Birdie Party: The Big Day

I spent the last 3 months planning the party and now the big day was upon us! I was excited to see it all come together. (Although extremely nervous to make the cupcakes.) I knew everything else would come together just fine. I had about 25 people coming to the party (more than I initially intended), but with proper planning I felt it would be ok. I needed to decorate, make the cupcakes and tidy up. 
The most important planning piece for me was NAP TIME. I wanted to make sure Jake enjoyed his party and I knew to do that he NEEDED his naps! He still is taking 2 naps a day and sleeping about 4 hours a day. He needs his sleep to function so he IS a good sleeper. My sister and her fiance stayed with us but I asked everyone else to not come before noon to ensure a smooth morning. (The party started at 3pm :) )

Jake playing with his first birthday present from Mommy and Daddy, a sand and water table.

The decorating started at nap time. I had an idea of where I wanted everything so the decorating was more about placing things where I thought they would work. 

Mantle 

Sofa Table

Playroom

The Wreath with the J was suppose to go on the door but it kept falling down so we repositioned it in front of where Jake would be opening his gifts.

Dinning Room

Our wonderful neighbors have a family tradition they shared with us. They may pictures with the age of the birthday child and decorate the house with them. Here is an example, one that was placed on the front door.

The party turned out to be great! Everyone had a lot of fun especially Jake! He was not at all shy or uncomfortable with all the attention and did not have any meltdowns! (Success!) 

I tried to pace the party so that we got to everything and did not run over. We started the party with small talk and introductions. While we were doing that I had burgers cooking on the grill. We then ate a little. The party was 3-5pm but I wanted food because I knew that Jake would need to eat during the party. I wanted him to eat before the cupcake and he would be too tired to eat after. Following dinner we opened presents. I had Jake open only the gifts of the guests. I knew a one year old would not have the patience to open all the gifts and family would be around later to watch him open presents. Next we moved on to singing Happy Birthday and the cupcake. That concluded the party, from then we just talked and hung out watching the kids play. That way everyone felt comfortable (and ready) to leave right at 5pm. Family and a couple out of town friends stayed a couple hours later to catch-up. Jake went to bed about 5:45 because he was overstimulated and exhausted. Great afternoon!

One year already! What a great party to celebrate and even better year!