On Monday, we'll be celebrating Mario's 5th birthday and Sam's 2nd birthday. One good thing about having two October babies is that we can do one big party. Although I do still bake each of them a cake on his actual birthday, and we sing Happy Birthday and the whole bit. It only happens once a year and I want it to be special. Mario still talks about his previous birthday parties with such happy memories.
This year's theme is the Circus! The photo at the top shows my kitchen table as I was getting everything ready to pack up in the car. {The party is in Ohio, at my mom and dad's house, so we could celebrate with family.} I am so pleased with the invitations I ordered from Ciao Bambino on etsy. She was so nice and accomodating and even offered to reprint them after she shipped them....because I realized that I had told her the wrong date! In the end, I decided just to add this little tag with each invitation instead.
Animal crackers are a must-have for a circus, don't you think? Such great graphics on these classic little boxes.
Cotton Candy
Circus Peanuts
And regular peanuts
I tried to find as many useful red & white striped things as I could.
Love these straws.
Some little cups for treats
These are actually Christmas napkins, but they'll work Ggggggreat! {Sorry, I couldn't resist.}
Some animals from the boys' playroom
I picked up some plain party hats...
...and added some pom poms and festooning to make them more fun.
Animal cupcake picks & striped treat bags
And candles for the boys
I had some vintage greeting cards that I scanned and copied to make a garland.
What does a duck have to do with the circus? Absolutely nothing! It's just what I had on hand....
A little game for the kids to play
And a pinata full of candy & treats of course! {if our teeth haven't rotted out of our mouths by the end of the party, it will be a miracle.}
All we need now is the pizza {from my Grandma's pizza shop} and cupcakes {which I will bake} and our family! Mario is so excited he can hardly stand it. Sam is clueless, but will have fun once the party starts, I'm sure. Everybody loves a circus!
that is going to be SO cute Andrea!!!
Posted by: Lori | October 09, 2009 at 06:37 AM
Oh, it will definitely be a super fun circus birthday party, Andrea. Happy Birthday to your little guys and have fun!
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | October 09, 2009 at 06:41 AM
Oh What fun! The boys must be SO excited!!!
xo
jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | October 09, 2009 at 07:58 AM
what a great party setup! You're creating lifetime memories for your boys! Such fun! Suzie
Posted by: Suzie button | October 09, 2009 at 08:35 AM
Andrea--what a fun party that will be! My daughters were born on the same day, three years apart and the "February birthdays" tradition was born--family, friends, always two cakes, tons of presents--it rivaled any Christmas morning! Happy birthday to your sweet boys and have a wonderful time with you family!
Posted by: Sharon M. | October 09, 2009 at 09:11 AM
Very fun, cute and creative! Love it. Looks like something my girls would love too. Somehow I managed to have 3 girls who would rather have 'boy' stuff than all the foofy, girly stuff.
Have a wonderful time!
Jill
Posted by: Jill Flory | October 09, 2009 at 09:42 AM
Everybody loves the circus! Looks like it'll be a fun, fun party:) Happy, Happy Birthday to Mario & Sam!
Posted by: Leah C | October 09, 2009 at 10:13 AM
A circus! Great idea for a birthday party! Love all the vintage touches and the bright colors.
http://minivanlife.wordpress.com
Posted by: brandy | October 09, 2009 at 11:34 AM
What a great idea! It's going to be adorable. I LOVE the pinata. SO CUTE! Have an awesome celebration!
Posted by: Karen B | October 09, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Hi Andrea! Oh My GOOOOOOODNESS!!! Everything looks so so fun! I know the boys will have a blast and remember how fun their parties were!
I am SO LOVING everything circus right now! Must be all the fun colors and designs.
:0)
Analise
Posted by: Analise | October 09, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Fun, fun, fun!!! I love it!!
Posted by: Teri | October 09, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Oh, everyone does LOVE a circus! Your boys will remember their parties for many years! Hope you have a great time with your family!
Posted by: Jerri | October 09, 2009 at 12:33 PM
I actually got done throwing a vintage circus party for my son! If you want to hear about it let me know and I can email you what we did etc just so you get some ideas...:)
xoxo
Prisicla
littlemissheirlooms.blogspot.com
Posted by: priscila | October 09, 2009 at 12:36 PM
So lovely! A gorgeous theme to have too. I am biased, and think October birthdays are the best! Mine was on Wednesday, and I had such a fantastic day. One of my nephews celebrates his birthday today.
I'm so glad you mentioned the date being wrong on the invites. My heart stood still for a minute. Humbug has to go to the drs for some booster jabs on Tuesday, and I suddenly thought I'd got totally the wrong date!
Have a lovely weekend, enjoy the paaarrrtaay! xxx
Posted by: sadie | October 09, 2009 at 12:48 PM
We had a circus party for jack's 5th birthday and he still talks about it! You have put so much thought into everything...it will be wonderful!
Posted by: Jeanne | October 09, 2009 at 03:32 PM
Looks amazing!!!
Love the circus theme!!
Have a wonderful time!!
Rosemary
Posted by: Rosemary | October 09, 2009 at 03:36 PM
ANDREA!!!!!!! I LOVE this theme and all of your cute ideas! I have two boys birthday's in November and you make me want to throw them a circus party :) This is too sweet and I cant wait to see pics!
Hugs,
Amy
Posted by: Bunny Rose Cottage | October 09, 2009 at 03:58 PM
Happy Circus days to your beautiful boys - fun party goodies...........
Posted by: Rachael | October 09, 2009 at 04:02 PM
OMGoodness! Everything looks sooo FUN!! Your boys must be so excited!
Have a great time!
Posted by: Debi | October 09, 2009 at 07:15 PM
Happy birthday to your handsome boys. They have such a great MOM. It will be an awesome party. Everything looks yummy. Have fun. Please share pics of the party. LOL :)
Posted by: SONIA AUDELO | October 09, 2009 at 07:23 PM
Oh my...this is amazing...Happy Birthday boys! What a party it will be! Your details are great! Always inspiring me! xoxoxo
Posted by: koralee | October 09, 2009 at 11:25 PM
Love your circus party. Everything is just so cute. Mimi
Posted by: mimisue | October 09, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Presenting under the big top two fabulous boys birthday party!! Wonderful ideas! Have a glorious party!! Lori
Posted by: Lori | October 10, 2009 at 01:31 AM
You always put your entire heart in everything you do,Andrea. What a creative fun party!The boys will have a blast and it will be "The best party on the block" and no doubt,with all the children~
a Three Ring Circus ^^!
Tina
Posted by: christina slocum | October 10, 2009 at 01:01 PM
Everything is beyond spectacular! Thanks for sharing all your wonderful ideas. Happy birthday Mario and Sam! Enjoy your celebration.
Posted by: Jeni Carlson | October 10, 2009 at 04:06 PM