I knew probably since Owen was a month or two old that I wanted to throw him a farm party for his first birthday! I figured that November was just the perfect time for some fall fun on the farm! I put a lot of thought into all the little details of the party, and of course had some help from lots of family and friends! Please excuse the photos-- my SD card flash drive is not working, so these are all from my iphone. Hopefully someday I'll update the pictures with the good pictures from my camera!! This post will be all about the little details of the party, but a post will follow in a few days with pictures of all the fun we had at the party!
Just like with Landon's circus and Sesame Street parties, I ordered a package from Dimpleprints to make the invitation and all the banners and signs. I just love Carli's work! Not only are the packages precious, but she is always very quick with her responses! The theme I picked for Owen was actually called, "Pumpkin Fall Barnyard." I figured it would be perfect because I could mix all the fall decorations I already had with the farm decor. I took a picture of him in his precious cow Halloween costume for the invite!
Hunter let us borrow tons of tractors he had as a child, and he and Emily picked cotton from his family farm that Emily then helped me arrange in my blue mason jars with yellow daisies! The AMAZING cake was made by the mother of one of the student teachers I collaborate with. Not only is the cake beautiful, but this sweet soul would not let me pay her--instead insisted that I use the money to buy books for students at my school who don't have resources at home. Owen loved eating the cake! One of my favorite memories from that day was when Landon tried to feed Owen the cake, and then Owie bug tried to feed Landon. Such sweet brothers!
I ordered beanie baby farm animals for the party favors off of Ebay. It was kind of a fun challenge to hunt down enough quality animals for all the kiddos! Then Barbara and her friend from work made these precious bags for the beanie babies and other treats. Her friend also made a super fun wreath that adorned the front door!
I don't actually have a picture of the food for the party, just the table centerpiece decor. We decided to try to make our lives a little easier this time and instead of making/buying a ton of appetizers, we did a couple of appetizers and served more of a meal. I felt a lot less stressed out this party by doing that! We ordered pulled pork from a local BBQ restaurant. Philip also grilled some hot dogs for the kids. Mom made her famous mac and cheese, and BB made the beans and several yummy dips. In the end, we had MORE than enough food!
Sharon designed a fabulous candy table for her daughter Heather's wedding last year, so she brought over the candy jars for me to borrow for the party! I made a little candy bar with some fall themed/colored snacks (Reeses, pumpkin candy corn, Snickers, orange yogurt melts, and Twizzlers). I had originally planned on having it outside on a fun table, but with the rain had to move it inside, so it was just kind of randomly on the bar. We ended up with a lot of candy left over, but I've enjoyed snacking on it this week! :)
As a teacher, I can't help but to plan lots of activities during the party for all the kids. I had farm coloring sheets and activity pages printed out on the boys' play table. I also found every single farm(ish) books we owned (which was actually a lot!) and put them out on the coffee and side tables. Since it rained, all the activities had to be moved down to our basement, which luckily is empty! We had the bounce house, Hunter's tractors for the kids to push around, the boys' tractor and ride on toys, and corn hole. Although the HIT of the party was real live farm animals!! One of our friends is an Ag teacher and he was able to get us some baby chicks for the party. The kids were obsessed with them, especially the birthday boy!!! What sweet friends we have to go through all the trouble to bring over some chicks for Owie bug's party!
My parents had gotten me this book a few years ago, and it was the PERFECT book to re-purpose as Owen's first birthday book!! Don't you agree!?! We had all the attendees sign, and Owen will be able to have it as a keep sake.
We all dressed in theme for the party. The birthday boy wore a very special shirt that we had made for him from an etsy shop, My Little Legacies. I just LOVE the hand stitching! Philip and I just wore the colors of the party (although you can't actually tell with Philip b/c he has on his UGA jacket!). I also had cowboy boots thanks to my sissy Michelle! Landon wore his Halloween costume which consisted of Carhartt overalls and a John Deere Hat--except when he traded it for the birthday hat!
And of course, I had to change out all the art in our dining room frames to the boys' farm-themed art! So thankful they have such creative teachers in daycare!! And thankful that the whole school did a farm-theme in September!! I had lots of cute art to choose from!
Of course I can't write an "All the Little Details" post without thanking all my behind the scenes helpers like Philip, Mr. Melvin, my Mom and Dad, BB, Emily, and Hunter for helping with clean up before and/or after the party, set-up, picking up food, balloons, cake, etc. and all their contributions both monetary and through items or food! Owen's first birthday was fabulous, and we couldn't have done it without all of your help! Love you all!!
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