Late July and early August is birthday mayhem. My husband, my son and me all celebrate birthdays within 11 days! Typically Jeremy and I just celebrate together with an evening out but that had to wait until later this summer. Our two year old needed a party of course, but I did not want to neglect the adults on party day. This year it was decided that all three of us would celebrate together. Fortunately at two years old, he is not demanding a particular theme yet so I was able to decorate to suit both the little guy and the adults too!
For decorations I raided my party bin in the garage, visited my shop (the perks!) and the dollar store. Boom, I was set! Our rustic summer train theme included the colors black and silver, reminiscent of railroad tracks. For that summer feel, I incorporated burlap and sunflowers from our garden for a pop of color. A long piece of burlap functioned as our tablecloth, paired with wrapping paper down the center serving as my table runner. My kids adore Thomas the Train but it is just not my style. Since it was my birthday too, we incorporated trains a little differently. I made this cute printable “Choo Choo Look Who Is Two” for our centerpiece. You can download it too – in two sizes. I made Railroad Crossing decorations when my eldest son had a train party a few years back and simply repurposed them. To make these, I used postal mailing paper that is thicker than regular paper and a sharpie! I just freehanded the text, (really basic because I’m no artist) then used painters tape to stick it to my wall. Mailing Paper will also work great as a tablecloth or table cover in a pinch. I taped the paper to the underside of my dining table using painter’s tape. For cleanup, I just fold and all those crumbs and litter go straight into the garbage. No need to even clear the table or wipe. It makes cleaning up a cinch. It’s tan color looks rustic, which matched my theme décor, so there you go, a rustic table cover too. Oh and painter’s tape is awesome, no residue my friends! The irony here is that my walls where my kids eat and play are so DIRTY; they desperately need a fresh coat of paint! It is a great way to keep your walls and furniture pristine. Depending on which thickness you buy it will hold up more or less weight. I completely love it; it’s a household staple for me.
When family arrived we ate lunch (a simple make your own sandwich buffet) opened gifts and had cake. Some of the family (moi) have food sensitivities so we ordered a special cake for them but I also make cupcakes using my favorite from scratch chocolate cupcake recipe. They are super moist and have amazing flavor and I always get compliments! My two-year olds favorite gift was a yellow die cast school bus. Boys and their trucks….you can never have enough of these metal vehicles with wheels. This boy will load all of his cars in his sister’s pink toy stroller and push them all around the house. Silly boy, he cracks me up! Anyway, he is infatuated with school buses and he just loves this one. It is longer and bigger than most and quite impressive!
So there you go, our simple little rustic summer train birthday party.
Plates/Napkins- Dollar Store
Cake- Kyra’s Gluten Free Bake Shop
Cupcakes- by me using my favorite chocolate cupcake recipe.
Tablecloth- Joann Fabrics
Wrapping Paper- Michael’s
Paper straws- Twigs and Twirls
Tassel Garland- Twigs and Twirls
Happy 2 little one!
