With two in daycare full time.... living on a budget is an understatement! But regardless, I set out to make Rex's Second Birthday Bash "Chu chu-rific." Like any two year-old boy, he loves trains right now. His big birthday gift from Mom and Dad was a train table. So, I thought this would also make a perfect theme. I skimmed all of Pintrest and Etsy and found the best ideas I could. And here is what I put together:
The party invitation. Purchased on Etsy for $6.00. Printed at Walgreen's as a 4x6 for $.20 each. (By the way, a 4x6 prints for $.20 and a 5x8 prints for almost $2.00???? So when you request your invitations with the Esty artist, request that the file come formatted for a 4x6.)
Outside I lined the steps with electrical tape (found in the garage for no cost) and recycled a piece of white card stock (found at work for no cost). I cut the card stock in half and stapled it together (real advanced technique...only mothers with practice can accomplish this one!) Then wrote with a sharpie "Rail Road Crossing" and taped my sign to the door.
Outside decorations = $0.00
I recycled four weeks worth of oatmeal boxes and covered them with construction paper. All four sides were the same colors, then I cut four black wheels for the sides with a long strip in the middle to create the look of the train wheels.
I then lined these boxes with a napkins and they became my train serving pieces. One held PB and J sandwiches, another had individually wrapped packs of gummies, another had cheese nips, and the last had napkins and forks. Fruit in the front, juice boxes in the rear....
Train Serving Pieces = $0.00 Construction paper was from work also.
Coloring Station for the Kids. I found the clip art of four different train images from online and printed them myself.
Arts and Crafts for Kids = $0.00
I went to The Dollar Tree to find anything that was train related for the Party Favor. I found these Sun Catcher Kits in the shapes of trains. So, I picked up 7 for all of Rex's little friends and tied a simple bow around each one.
Party Favors = $7.00
Don't laugh....but spending $40 on a custom train cake was out of the question....So I made my own. OK, so its a little lopsided! Here is what I did: I bought two boxes of good quality, organic, yellow cake mix. I made two round cakes per the box's directions. I also bought two containers of cream cheese icing. For the bottom layer I cut one round cake in half through the middle, then I spread on strawberry preserves for a fruit layer, and restacked the rounds. I dyed some of the icing green and covered the entire bottom. I saved all my leftover green....
Then I took the second round cake and cut into halves right down the middle, once again layered them with strawberry preserves, and then stacked these two halves on top of each other. Then, I placed the giant half piece on top of my green layer and covered it with blue.
With my left-over green, I added a little red dye and made black/brown. I made the two openings into the "mountain side" then squeezed the rest into an icing bag. I piped on the railroad tracks and Rex's name. I then washed up one of his bathtub train toys and placed it on top.
Cake = 2 boxes of mix $6.92
2 jars of white icing = $3.38
Candle = $2.99
Total = $13.29
The Birthday Boy actually fell asleep on the couch waiting for his guest to arrive :)
Now the deal of the century....As a teacher, I know the cabinet teacher and I know some of the students, and I also know that some of them are looking for projects and the money to pay for the materials. Well, I sent them an email with the Pottery Barn Kids Train Table dimensions....and look what I got for about $75. Thanks boys, you have create a timeless family heirloom for us that will be passed on for years. "WE ARE CARSON!"
