The Macs

Friday, January 6, 2012

red ball party {levi's second birthday}

I debated and debated about a theme for Levi's second birthday. I knew that I would probably be throwing many, many tractor or farm theme birthday parties in the years to come so I thought I would avoid a tractor theme for now...not that there is anything wrong with tractors, it just might get old! :) Levi has been really into playing ball lately so I thought a ball party sounded fun. I searched "ball party" on pinterest and came across this adorable classic red ball party that Jessica threw for her two year old daughter. Red + balls...perfect.

I got tons of ideas from Jessica (great name, right?). She is definitely the creative genius behind this theme. Her party was beautiful so if you need any more inspiration make sure and check out her red classic ball party here.

Jessica also happens to be the talented designer of Pen N' Paperflowers. I emailed back and forth a little with her and she hooked me up with these adorable print-at-home party invitations. She also designed little tags to go on the party favors. Thanks so much Jessica!

For the dessert table, I made cupcakes in red polka dot cupcake liners and put a red gum"ball" on top.

 My friend Julie made the awesome red ball cake. She has been making/decorating cakes to help raise money towards their adoption from China. She does an amazing job and the best part was that I didn't have to worry about making a cake! I love planning a party and evening making cupcakes, but cake decorating...not so much. If you are local and need a cake, make sure to check with Julie!

The dessert table had lots of red candy too. Licorice, lollipops, swedish fish, and red m&m's...m&ms are Levi's favorite.

We had red balloons...and of course red and white striped paper straws (I can hardly throw a party without these cute straws!).

 I picked up these red frames for Griffin's room when I was at IKEA. They were perfect for the party. The table was covered in a white tablecloth, red polka dot fabric (from Griffin's quilt), and a piece of red polka dot wrapping paper (from Christmas). I love red, so it wasn't hard to come up with things I already had to use on the table.

I made three garlands for the dessert table. On the chalkboard is a garland made out of red punched paper circles + thread. I sewed them together on my sewing machine. The other garland is red felt circles + red bakers twine. I sewed the felt circles onto the twine with my sewing machine too.

The garland on the table is red styrofoam balls + jewelry wire. I (actually, Joel did it for me) spray painted the styrofoam balls with floral spray paint and I used a long crochet needle to string them on the wire. You can't use regular spray paint because it will melt the styrofoam. I found this idea on pinterest too!

For party favors, we sent the kiddos home with a giant red lollipop and a ball of homemade red play dough. I put the play dough in clear cellophane bags and tied them with bakers twine and the circle tags from Pen N' Paperflowers.

We set up a kids table in the kitchen for Levi and all his cousins...he has a lot! We added some red circle punch "ball" confetti to the table after I took this picture too.

 Each place had the party favor and two red crayons to draw on the table (which was covered in paper).

And here are a few pictures from the actual party...
It was crazy and loud and Levi loved every second of it. It was so fun to see him so excited about his birthday! He had been singing happy birthday to himself all week. :)

I still can't believe Levi is two. Happy birthday sweet boy!


Sources (for those who are wondering):
Invitations & favor tags : Pen N' Paperflowers
Polka dot cupcake liners : Sweet Kaity
Paper straws : Garnish
Red frames : IKEA
Styrofoam balls & red floral paint : Michaels
Polka dot napkins and 2 candle : Target
Cake : Julie Johnson

39 Comments:

Blogger Sharon said...

Jess, you did an amazing job with Levi's birthday. Just perfect!

January 7, 2012 at 4:44 PM  
Blogger Shelly said...

What a cute idea...you are so creative! It looks perfect! Your boys are to stinkin cute as well. Hope you have a wonderful 2012!

January 7, 2012 at 5:15 PM  
Blogger Kimberley said...

what a fun birthday!! love it all!!! you did a fabulous job! oh, and i'm super impressed with the #2 on the chalkboard. so cute! i couldn't write that to save my life! :)

January 7, 2012 at 5:23 PM  
Blogger Mum2twopreciousgifts said...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. What a brilliant idea Jess.

Michelle xxxx

January 7, 2012 at 6:00 PM  
Blogger emily said...

LOVE every detail!

January 7, 2012 at 6:15 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oh My Goodness! Love, Love, Love, Love, Love this! Great job Jess!

January 7, 2012 at 6:31 PM  
Blogger Jennifer Dawn said...

What a great party! I love it! Pinned!

January 7, 2012 at 7:00 PM  
Anonymous amy jupin said...

jess, this is so adorable!
i am still wondering where in the world you find the time and the energy...
looks like levi had a...(wait for it)...BALL!
i'm a dork.
sorry!

January 7, 2012 at 7:01 PM  
Blogger Mindy Harris said...

it's amazing, jess! as usual. love it all.

January 7, 2012 at 7:26 PM  
Anonymous McKenzie said...

I hope when I have kids I'm able to think of creative, thoughtful ideas like yours! So cute.

January 7, 2012 at 8:35 PM  
Blogger a blog full of weldons. said...

i LOVE this party idea!!! might have to do something similar for my 4 yr old. i'm all about stuff that can be homemade as well. love the playdough!

January 7, 2012 at 9:25 PM  
Blogger a blog full of weldons. said...

i LOVE this party idea!!! might have to do something similar for my 4 yr old. i'm all about stuff that can be homemade as well. love the playdough!

January 7, 2012 at 9:26 PM  
Blogger JESSICA said...

Levi shares a birthday with my just turned 4-year old. They missed being New Year's kiddos by very little, huh? :)
Everything looks awesome! What a wonderful idea. I noticed that your cupcakes look incredibly light & delish. Do you mind sharing the recipe for those as well as the icing?

Thank you!

January 7, 2012 at 10:13 PM  
Blogger Andrea {kerubo mama} said...

goodness, that's so adorable! what a lovely idea! i've logged it away in my brain to use as inspiration for when my son has a birthday (he's 6 months old now :)

Happy birthday to Levi!

Andrea xoxo

January 7, 2012 at 10:34 PM  
Blogger Auntie EM said...

Such JOY....He is so cute and he seems like such a happy kid. Two years old.....what a fun exciting time for a little boy. He is so lucky to have such wonderful parents, a sweet little brother and a beautiful angel sister.

January 7, 2012 at 10:35 PM  
Blogger meg duerksen said...

SO CUTE!!!!!

January 7, 2012 at 10:48 PM  
Anonymous EricaG said...

This is adorable! I want to do a red and white baby shower for my sister this spring. I'll be snitching some ideas from you :)

January 8, 2012 at 6:23 AM  
Blogger MrsK said...

GORGEOUS!!! All of it.

Happy birthday, sweet Levi. Your face always makes me smile!

January 8, 2012 at 9:07 AM  
Blogger Allison said...

So cute! Looks like you all had a lot of fun!

January 8, 2012 at 9:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What an amazing looking party. You look great Jess.

January 8, 2012 at 10:08 AM  
Blogger The Moffats said...

love the party!!! so simple and yet sooooooo darling! great job momma. sending our love and hugs.

January 8, 2012 at 12:33 PM  
Anonymous Heather S. said...

Did you know that you can actually write an invitation on a ball and mail it? I did this for my oldest's 3rd birthday party! It was so cute and a fun *gift* for the guests to get before the party ever starts!

January 8, 2012 at 1:23 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

LOOOVVVEEE the turnout! It really turned out adorable!! I'd love to share it on my blog if you wouldn't mind?! Just let me know!!

January 8, 2012 at 2:36 PM  
Blogger The Johnson's said...

Such a cute birthday party!! And, where in the world did you get that chalkboard?!?! I've been looking for something like that! Please let me know!

January 8, 2012 at 3:44 PM  
Blogger Lara said...

You are SO creative!!! So cute!!!

January 8, 2012 at 6:04 PM  
Blogger Amber said...

Super cute! As always! You are a party planning extraordinaire. I always enjoy seeing all of your creative ideas. It looks like Levi's party was a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing!

January 9, 2012 at 1:56 AM  
Blogger Meggie said...

Such a cute, creative birthday party! I'm planning now for my almost 3 year old's party... thanks for some new ideas!!

January 9, 2012 at 8:58 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love this birthday theme! I love each-and-every-single details you did!

January 9, 2012 at 12:06 PM  
Blogger Alyssa said...

love it all! so cute jes!

January 9, 2012 at 12:26 PM  
Blogger The Mershawn's said...

He makes me want to squish him. He is so, so cute, & looks like so much fun. Happy Birthday to that cutie & what a fun, fun party. You're one awesome mama.

January 9, 2012 at 2:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is adorable! Will you come plan my daughter's 2nd birthday party??? :) It's not until May and I am already stressing about what to do for a theme! This is TOO CUTE! Wish I'd thought of it myself! Happy belated Birthday Levi!!!

January 9, 2012 at 4:25 PM  
Blogger Heather | Cookie Mondays said...

You. Are. Amazing. Excuse while I pin every single photo. Camden had a ball party for her first. Kind of an excuse for everything to be polka dot :)

January 10, 2012 at 1:28 AM  
Blogger Kelly said...

So fun!

January 10, 2012 at 6:17 AM  
Blogger L ~ S said...

What an adorable party! I may just steal some of these ideas sometime.

January 10, 2012 at 6:37 AM  
Blogger Kalpesh said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

January 11, 2012 at 5:02 AM  
Blogger Cassie said...

What a cute idea! You are so amazingly creative as always! I think I will have to steal this for my little girls second birthday coming up! By the way, Bill and Olivia visited us this past weekend...so fun to reconnect!

January 11, 2012 at 10:21 PM  
Blogger Lollipoplin said...

Do you Pinterest? I'd love to follow you there! Pinterest.com

January 14, 2012 at 6:47 AM  
Blogger Melody said...

I love this party idea, thinking of doing the same for my little boy. How did you make the red play-doh?

Love it all!!

Melody

June 6, 2012 at 9:49 AM  
Blogger www.iwantbdphotography.com said...

Asking for a little help here,as I'm planning my son's 1st! We are going to do a classic red bouncy ball theme because our little guy could care less about a paci or blankie but carries and snuggles a ball like it's a stuffed animal :) "ball" is also one of his first and favorite words, nothing thrills him more than a simple ball. can you share some tips so i don't have to reinvent the wheel? where did you find best for the red gumballs? and would you suggest doing the homemade dough recipe vs a bucket of premade red dough? also, did you buy lots of crayons and pull out the reds or did you find a seller of just red by the box? do you have a preferred vendor for your cellophane bags. Thanks for all the help!!

July 17, 2012 at 8:29 AM  

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