If you know me, you know I LOVE birthdays! I love parties in general and if I could make a living at it, party planning would be my dream job! I have always loved birthdays and I probably go a little overboard but hey what can I say I love my babies and the days they were born are the two best days EVER in my life period. So, if I want to go a little crazy, I feel it's justified. :)
Wesley LOVES trains and actually started asking for a Thomas cake about 8 months ago when he saw the 3D Thomas cake in bakery at a local grocery store. He never wavered and had to have that cake. We are going to be at the beach on his actual birthday so I decided to have it the week before. The train was already booked for that weekend so I had to settle for two weeks early. He didn't mind and it will be nice not to have a party while trying to leave to go out of town, as well.
I had decided to use a train theme but not stick with just Thomas. After hours and hours of searching, I found the greatest website for invitations online. Peyton from Do It Cute did a fabulous job on my invites, thank you cards, address labels, and stickers. They were exactly what I wanted! She used a steam train design with the Thomas colors.
I searched all over Chattanooga for fabric and finally found a stripe with the right blues and reds in it at Walmart of all places. I made table runners for the food and cake table and used what was left for pennants in the pennant banner I made. I ordered a train name banner and a welcome sign from a site on Etsy, which after an ordeal was picked up Saturday morning right before the party by my awesome sister! I lucked up and found plastic platters for $1 a piece and a drink bucket for $4 at Walmart. Hobby Lobby had some red metal tubs 65% off so I snagged some of those as well. I found the cutest blue woven containers at the Dollar General half price and got 7 different size containers for under $5! As you can tell, I love finding good deals!!! I had seen some of the tissue paper puffs online and knew I wanted to use some. I decided to use them as the table decorations. Max actually had a lot of fun helping me make all the puffs. Since the party was close to July 4th I found all kinds of things that match my color scheme. I found straws for the kids drinks at the dollar tree, miniature pinwheels at Micheal's, and super cute metal buckets for $1 a piece at Target.
I knew I was going to have to serve lunch since the train ride was at 12 noon. My mom make super yummy pulled pork and when she offered to make it for Wes's party, I took her up on her offer. I had seen some cute sandwich ideas while search train parties online and decided to go with peanut butter and jelly boxcar sandwiches. We also had pasta salad, watermelon, chips, and drinks. The kids enjoyed their favors which consisted of a conductors hat, bandanna, train whistle, and personalized cookie.
Next post will be about his actual party!
