Patrick's 2nd Train Birthday Party

We celebrated Patrick's 2nd birthday party a couple weeks ago with a train themed party.  We decided to do the party a little early since baby brother is expected to appear around the same time. I am so glad we decided to do the party early, because we really lucked out with the weather!  It was BEAUTIFUL! In fact it's been one of the only pretty days the past 3 weeks.

Nana and Grumps offered to have the party at their house since I was going to be 8 1/2 month pregnant.  After Nana and Grumps agreed to have it at their house, we decided to rent a trackless train for the party since Patrick adores trains!  I am so glad we did, because he is still talking about who rode the train with him at "Nene's house." It was the perfect set up for the train and it was so much less stress on me to have the party at their house! Thanks Nana and Grumps!

I ordered a train printable online and printed and made everything myself. Luckily I started early since we had been so sick the month leading up to the party! Here is a picture of the invitation

Megan and Ryan picked up balloons for the entrance to the party

Sweet Patrick running towards the train when he saw it

How cute is the train!?!?

So excited about the train!!

He was excited to sit in the train when it got there and was even able to blow the horn and ring the bell

The Ellens and Margaret

Patrick was so excited that Margaret came to his party!

Nene!!

Cousins

Pretty tough to get a cousin picture these days!

Hanging with Big

Everyone loaded up and ready to ride the train!

Riding the train with uncle Matt

Riding the train with daddy

Me and my buddy

Family picture

Some of the kiddos riding the train

Nana riding with her grandbabies

Riding with Big 

Matthew and Mark seeing who can chug a juice box the fastest, while riding the train

Grandads

Some of the boys

The food table

Michael spray painted the the containers so they were in the colors blue and red. I added the wheels to make them look like boxcars of a train

The menu. We kept it pretty simple since we decided to make everything ourselves for the party. Might have been a little ambitious when I was so pregnant, but I just love the feel of homemade parties. Inevitably it means that something won't turn out as perfect as it would if I were to order it, but that's part of the charm in my opinion :)

The silverware. The tag's say "Chew Chew"

Peanut Butter and Jelly Boxcar Sandwiches

Log Car- Pretzel Rods

Produce Car- Carrots and Celery with ranch dressing

Choo Choo Chips

Stoplight Skewers- Strawberry, Pineapple and Grape skewers

I didn't get a picture of the barbecue. It was our first attempt at making barbecue and I think it turned out pretty yummy!

Dessert Table

The sign says Happy Birthday Patrick, but it was a little windy, so you can't really tell in the picture

Jello Jars

Caramel Popcorn. We almost set the kitchen on fire while making it, but it was worth it!

 

Rock Quarry Candy

Marshmallow Pops

The cake and cupcakes. The cupcakes were funfetti batter with cream cheese frosting and Patrick's smash cake was funfetti batter (I didn't add the sprinkles to his, for fear he would be scared of the colors :) ) with whipped vanilla buttercream frosting. I decided to make Patrick's cake this year since he was terrified of his cake last year. We let him try the icing the night before in hopes he wouldn't be so terrified of it which I think was a great decision! He dug into the cake this year, which I was so excited about! He is not a sweets person and does not normally try anything new, so I was excited he was up for it!

Excited about getting to eat his cake while everyone is singing Happy Birthday

Harper decided to try a little icing too

I think he did some pretty good damage to the cake!  Way to go Patrick! 

The party favors were cotton candy ("train smoke").

After everyone left it was time to open presents!

Excited to open his first present, from Great Aunt Susan

Lightning McQueen, another one of Patrick's favorites!

Golf clubs from Big and Allie

I think the train and the party was a big success!!!  We love you Patrick and can't believe you are 2!