Down on the Farm 2nd Birthday Bash

Since the boys love animals and love to make animal noises, we decided on a farm themed birthday party.  I got lots of fun ideas online and put a fun day together. 


A big hit of the party was our friend, "Wilbur".  We managed to borrow him for the day.

 

(sign from Vistaprint)

 

We had a discovery table loaded with straw and mini-farm animals for the kids to find.

(we used Toob farm animals)

 

We had a "make your own goodie bag" station.

I labeled each bag with the children's names and put out stickers for them to decorate them.

Then there were baskets where the kids could choose from a "buffet" of goodies.  A relative was nice enough to bring over a bunch of mini-pumpkins.  Perfect!

Farm Board books and cow change purses were from A.C. Moore.

Coloring books and stuffies were from The Dollar Tree.

Animal Visors were from Oriental Trading.

Sour Patch Kids, play dough, porcupine farm animals

Porcupine Farm animals were from iParty.

Rubber Farm Animal Duckies from Oriental Trading.

Board Books were from Joanne Fabrics.

Sticker Books were from Michaels.

Eli & Lauren played at the Kid-tertainment table.

A big (old) farm and puzzles.

Eli's shirt & hat were from Gymboree.

 

We had some yummy snacks...

aka Oreos

aka

Little Debbie Fudge Rounds

aka

Rice Krispie Treats

aka

Chex Mix

aka

Rice Krispie Treats

 

We had some yummy food...

Veggie tray w/ dip in a jelly jar.

 

Cole Slaw

Pulled Pork

(don't tell Wilbur)

Watermelon

Napkins

 

Pickles in a fun jar.

 

Pigs in Blanket

Mustard & Ketchup in Jelly Jars

Baked Potato Bar

Sour Cream, Shredded Cheese & Bacos in Jelly Jars

 

Honey-Garlic Chicken Wings

 

Cooler Corn

(we cooked the corn in the cooler...google it!)

It worked!!!

 

Lemonade, Iced Tea, & Water in a Wheel Barrow

"Wet your Whistle"

I made the water bottle labels & Becky wrapped them!

 

 

Other fun stuff...

Ben

Nate

Sam

(adorable shirts from Lily Lou Designs)

Eli & Lauren

Bandanas & Hats from Oriental Trading.

E-I-E-I-O covered up our "welcome" sign.

Surprise!  My cousin brought us pumpkins from his garden.

 

The Cake!!!

Jumbo smash cupakes for each of the boys.

Cake & cupcakes were from a friend, Sarah.

Candles were Wilton.

Cake Design from Family Fun Magazine.

Cupcake toppers were from etsy.

Cake scene animals were from The Dollar Tree.

Party hats were made by Moi.

 

Cake Time!!!

 

We sang to each boy separately and all of the candle-blowing-out-practice really paid off. 

Ben

Nate

Sam

(Banners were from etsy and assembled by Moi)

Ben didn't hesitate to get messy.

Nate got in on the action.

Sam wanted nothing to do with it.

He never took a bite!

Family Picture

D-E-R

B-N-S

 

More Fun Pictures

The Upper Banners

(match the cupcake toppers...from etsy)

Ben

Nate

Sam

Big Banner from Vistaprint

Dave, Eli & I made the barn from a tri-fold board.

I made the birthday banner.

Lollipops from Oriental Trading

Box from Gigagak

Invite from etsy

Donations for Project Sweet Peas.

Thanks everybody!!!

 

Don't forget the pie eating contest!!!

Eli

Eli

Dave & Lauren

 

 

We had a blast!  Thank you so much to everybody who came and all the little helpers! 

 We really appreciate it!!!

Now to start planning for next year!!!

 

 

Some sites were I got some ideas:

http://pinterest.com/pin/161988917817690312/

 

http://www.ablissfulnest.com/2011/07/blissful-customers-barnyard-party.html

 

http://dancinginourkitchen.blogspot.com/

 

http://pinterest.com/pin/39406565459828587/

 

http://pinterest.com/pin/39406565459828585/

 

http://pinterest.com/pin/151152131214100041/

 

http://pizzazzerie.com/parties/childrens-parties/on-the-farm-1st-birthday-party/

 

http://www.bonappetit.com/blogsandforums/blogs/badaily/2011/09/cooler-corn.html

 

http://www.etsy.com/people/willowtree84

 

http://www.etsy.com/people/elskr79

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 year check up

We survived our 2 1/2 hour 2 year check up!  We started off with weights and heights:

Ben: 33 inches & 26.1 lbs
Nate:  33.25 inches & 24.6 lbs
Sam:  34 inches & 27.6 lbs

The weight rank continues to be the same since birth.  The disparity between Nate & Sam continues to grow, but they're both on good tracks so they're not concerned (but I am).

They didn't need any shots, but we decided to get them flu shots while we were there.  Nobody cried!  It was amazing. 

They did need to be tested for lead, that involved a finger prick.  I also wanted them tested for food allergies (since Dave is allergic, I always worry).  That invovled 3 tubes!  Ben had already had his done (and he was clear), so it was just Nate & Sam for the full on blood draw.  That wasn't so much fun...

They also had their hearing tested.  Eli had failed his at his 2 year appt and that's how we discovered his hearing loss and the need for 2 surgeries (T&A then tubes) to correct it.  Sam failed on his left ear and the other 2 guys passed on both.  The doctor noticed a ton of wax in Sammy's ear so she suggested we do some "DeBrox" for a month and then go back for a retest. 

Sammy also has some serious scaly scalp issue.  She suggest we use some special shampoo and then check up on it later.

Ben's lungs sounded good, but we're back on the puffer for him as a preventative measure.

She was pleased with Nate's physcial improvements and the fact that the other 2 guys don't get EI any more.

All in all, it was a good, but looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooong visit.  So glad we only do that once per year now!!!

Keep your fingers crossed the allergy tests come back with no findings!!!

Birthday Evening

For their special birthday dinner, we decided to go to Red Robin.  They like it there.  We like it there.  They like the food.  We like the food.  And...they sing to you for your birthday.  The boys and I drove up to meet Dave there since he would be on his way home from work.  Eli rushed to get his homework done and we were on our way.

They stayed amused playing with their new Magna-Doodles (aka Ka-doo's) from Auntie! 

Nate

Sam

Ben

 

The wait staff did not disappoint.  They asked me what the boys would like for their special birthday treat and sang them a song.  The boys didn't really like the song...but they really liked the ice cream!!!

Ben

Nate

Sam

 

Then we went home to do birthday cupcakes.  We practiced blowing out candles for about a week to make sure they would know what to do.  We sang to each of them.  Then they blew out their candle.  Then once everybody was done, we let them dig in to the yumminess.

 

Ben

Nate

Sam

Ben

Nate

Sam

 

Then clean up and off to bed!  What a long, fun day!!!