Party: Chace's Third Birthday Hoedown 2/21/15

Posing for his wanted poster pic.

We celebrated Chace’s third birthday on his actual birthdate, February 21st. This year was extra exciting because it was the first year that he really got that his birthday was coming. Chace chose his own party theme, and his request was a hoedown. Yes, he used that exact terminology.

For the party, I used my typical strategy of mixing store bought and homemade decorations. I purchased some western themed paper lanterns to hang in the playroom at Party City. To get all of the kids (and some of the adults) into the festivities, I also picked up some cowboy hats and bandanas.

Chace choosing a cowboy hat.

Can you even spot the kids amongst all the toys?

The homemade touches to Chace’s party were pretty awesome. Dave used some leftover plywood and dowels to create a cactus ring toss. He also used twine, rubber gloves, and glue to create tumbleweeds. The rubber gloves were an accident since we were out of balloons, but they worked really well because they provided a grip that was not covered in glue. In order to keep the twine soaked in the glue/water mixture without tangling, we used old toilet paper and paper towel rolls.

I enlisted the help of Marissa to create some pretty awesome invitations and some other western-themed signage. As another game for the kids, we played pin the moustache on the bandit. Marissa created a wanted sign with Chace’s face on it, and I cut moustaches from black construction paper. The kids had a blast sticking them all over. I used painter’s tape instead of pins or scotch tape, so I wouldn’t have to worry about the paint peeling off my walls if a kid missed the poster.

The favors were probably my favorite touch since I did them all by myself, and I’m still a novice crafter. They were nothing special, just cones created with bandana print scrapbook paper and filled with popcorn and candy, but I thought the clip on sheriff badges and the awesome holder Dave made me (literally, in like twenty minutes) really created a nice looking favor that the kids loved digging into.

One thing I will never forget about this party is the fact that I had an awful case of the stomach bug the week prior. I was totally stressing about how I was going to manage to get my house clean and ready, shop for food, and set everything up. It shouldn’t have come as any form of surprise, but our family and friends really stepped up in helping me make this party a success. My best friend Katie bought an awesome western themed cake, and she also helped calm my “night-before meltdown” by offering to go to the grocery store for me. What a saint! Additionally, my aunt, cousins, mom, and family friends helped me out with the stick-to-your-ribs themed menu of pulled pork, meatballs, mac and cheese, cheesy potatoes, salad, and a ton of yummy snacks. It really did show me how lucky I am, and how lucky my kids are, to have so many people who love us.

Delicious cake courtesy of Katie. We had a guessing contest with candy hearts so the adults could get in on the games, too. 

A chalkboard grub list to let everyone know what was on the menu. 

All in all, the day turned out wonderful. My concerns about lack of space indoors (winter parties can be especially tough to host at home) were acquiesced by an awesome outdoor fire that attracted some of the adults and the foosball table in the basement that entertained the older kids. Chace must have thanked me ten times for his birthday party, the only affirmation I needed to prove that it was all worth it. Thanks to all who came and shared the day with us. xoxo