Jack recently celebrated another birthday. His last 2 birthdays were spent in Addis Ababa with our Ethiopian family which was different and fabulous. This birthday was spent in the states with Joe’s family. We ALL had a great time, especially the birthday boy.
A few months before Jack’s birthday we received a catalog from Birthday Express. It was full of theme decorations for kid’s birthday parties. Our kids loved to look through this magazine and tell us which party decorations they wanted for their next birthdays. Jack loved the John Deere decor the best so I decided to try to duplicate it for a fraction of the cost.
I purchased some green and yellow card stock from AC Moore and cut out triangles and circles for the HAPPY BIRTHDAY letters and I bought some brown ribbon (think dirt) to string the banner for hanging.
I took the leftover card stock from the Happy Birthday banner and used my HUGE circle hole punch to make some confetti for the table. I also added a few small brown hole punch confetti (again think dirt).
I purchased the tractor centerpiece ($4.99) and 2 sets of 4 John Deere stickers ($1.99 each) from Birthday Express http://www.birthdayexpress.com/browse/_/N-i/Ntt-john+deere/results1.aspx. Obviously I used the centerpiece on the table. I added a few stickers to the Birthday Banner, used some to make toothpick John Deere cupcake toppers and used the rest to place on the yellow cups which I purchased at AC Moore for $1.
Aunt Amy makes the absolute BEST icing. It tastes just like wedding cake icing which is my ABSOLUTE favorite thing at a wedding other than watching the groom’s face when he sees his bride for the first time (provided that they haven’t seen each other before the ceremony). Amy was gracious enough to make her icing and used green and yellow food coloring to compliment the John Deere theme.
McLaine loved the icing even more than her momma and was caught red handed several times with yet another cupcake. We also found several cupcake holders full of cake but minus icing! Can we say sugar high??
Memaw and Papaw bought all the cousins a trampoline. Since Jack’s birthday came first and our backyard is big and flat, the trampoline gets to stay in our backyard (Happy Birthday to ME! That trampoline can really wear some kiddos out!). Jon & Joe worked to construct the trampoline the night before the party and then I filled it with green and yellow balloons!! As you can imagine, this was a HUGE hit. Here’s a couple of action shots to prove it:
Jack was spoiled with way to many gifts and he loved every minute of it!
Aunt Amy fell in love with our camera and became the official photographer for the day. She took 350+ photos in a little over 2 hours. I am so thankful for her enthusiasm because she captured some great photos of our family, the party goers:
Jack still talks about the trampoline full of balloons, the cupcakes and spending time with his family (even more than the presents). I’d say the day was a success!!
GREAT photos!
Happy Birthday Jack!
Your party decor was perfect and even better, cheap! Way to go Momma!
That’s awesome! Loved the pictures. Tell Jack Jack Happy belated birthday from us. Maybe if you’re past your due date, you can take a turn on the trampoline.
You should have told me he was having a JD themed party – I worked there for 8 years and my dad manages advertising for one of the biggest dealerships in the north!!!!
Molly-
I am sick! I knew you worked at John Deere but I didn’t know you STILL worked there. I will definitely remember that for next year
Way too cute! Love the cute decor!! Happy belated birthday to Jack!!!
Hey Karyn, thanks so much for sharing, you did a GREAT job with the party decorations and food!! I hate it has taken me so long to get on email and look a these! what a treasure, Amy needs to go into business, she did catch some great shots! mom b