Summer Cowboy Birthday and BBQ

Who doesn't love a summer bbq? Even better is a summer bbq with a cowboy chuck wagon twist!! This party was soo much fun to put together! Especially since my dad's birthday is in July in the middle of two of the best summer holidays-Independence Day and our State Birthday! Fireworks, bbq and fun for all!

 My dad is the perfect mix of modern cowboy, and since I was a kid I've always had fond memories of our days in Jackson Hole and seeing the Bar J Wranglers Chuckwagon show. So, we did our own version for his birthday dinner!

 Everyone brought a dish, which I then dumped into a tin serving platter or these bandana patterned paper trays I'm crazy about. I absolutely loved the way everything looked on the table! I can't believe I haven't done this theme for a party before!

 I also loved these vintage looking soda's they sell now! So fun for a cowboy bbq! You can get them in yummy jelly belly flavors or more traditional flavors

 These are some of the worlds best chocolate chip cookies! I adapted them from cookies and cups, recipe included below.  Ok, so most cowboys wouldn't have fancy coconut in their cookies, but what do you do when you just got back from Hawaii and are having a cowboy dinner!

 I loved Jessica Harris' cowgirl themed cake soo much, I just had to make a cowboy version

 I had so much fun painting the cowhide and prints on this cake!

 Beautiful Spread! These tin serving platters were perfect for the look as well as super cheap and super awesome for the cleanup! Who doesn't love no dishes after a party!!!

 I thought all the bandanas would be a perfect compliment to the checkered patterns on the table and I was surprised when I found ones that matched the bunting I found for the décor!

 Bandanas- the perfect napkin and utensil holder! Who knew?! Probably the cowboys.

 Everyone brought their own meat and it was fun to see the varieties of food on their "cowboy plates"

 The bandanas were also perfect for the times when the sun was right in our faces! Multi purpose!

 July birthday cake calls for sparkler candles which are always a hit for parties! You can find Wilton's version at most craft supply stores or on the link above!

 and sparklers!

Happy Cowboy Birthday! I highly recommend throwing your own... today!!

Coconut Chocolate Chip Cookies

(slightly adapted from Cookies and Things)
Ingredients

• 1 cup solid or slightly softened coconut oil
• 1 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp corn starch
• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 1.5 cup flaked sweetened coconut (can do less)
• 2 cups chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350°

1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
2. In mixer beat coconut oil and both sugars until mixed well. Add in eggs and vanilla and continue mixing until smooth, scraping sides as necessary.
3. Add in salt, baking soda and corn starch and mix until incorporated.
4. With mixer on low mix in flour until dough forms.
5. Stir in coconut and chocolate chips until mixed evenly.
6. Using cookie scoop or spoon drop cookie dough by onto prepared baking sheet
7. Bake for 9-10 minutes until edges just turn golden brown.
8. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool

Up Up and Away 1st Birthday

Tessa turned 1 with this adorable Up, Up and Away themed party with hot air balloons and carnival type snacks! What a super cute idea for a super cute little girl!

 I loved all the pinks and blues for the colors! They matched the adorable colorful hot air balloon bistro patio lanterns they had lining the covered patio where the party took place! When the party was over each guest received their own tub of cotton candy! Who doesn't love that!?

 the birthday girl!

 the hanging balloons from the trees were adorable and perfect to set the scene!

 hmmmm.... do I like this?

I DO!

Baby Einstein 1st Birthday

My little guy LOVES Baby Einstein , particularly the Baby Noah and Baby Neptune series. I'm not one to park him in front of the TV and I know watching them won't make him a genius, but I do love the fact that they are a simple and colorful thing for him to watch for the little bit of TV time I give him, if he has any!

That in mind, I was absolutely sure that Baby Einstein would be the perfect theme for a little boys 1st birthday! It's bright, colorful and would have characters he knew! I was not prepared for how difficult it would be to find things to match that theme, apparently I'm one of few out there with that theme in mind since I ended having to make most of the décor. That's ok though, I was thrilled with how everything turned out!

I kept all the colors to the primary colors with the exception of the purple, since its in the Baby Einstein caterpillar! The tables were covered in bright colors, each table held a box decorated on the outside with Baby Einstein characters, some colorful tissue paper and a handful of balloons. Each table also held 2 to 3 of the Baby Einstein hand puppets my kiddo loved. It was fun seeing his face light up as we walked him around to the tables and he saw his little animals all spread around!

The dessert table was kept simple and colorful. I was a little more conservative than I usually am with the desserts due to the 101 temps for the day, and the hamburger bar we had for the food! I did a mix of finger items little kids can eat easily with little mess such as cherry vanilla cake pops decorated and displayed like the Baby Einstein caterpillar, #1 sugar cookies, "Baby Christian" sugar cookies, summer strawberry cupcakes, vanilla mango cupcakes- which were a huge hit, and watermelon lemonade for a refreshing drink! I loved the bright colors and how they also made the cake colors really pop!

Upon entering the party yard, we had a number of different stations as well as fun "Baby Einstein" signs featuring our little guy in different roles of the dvd's. for the guests and kids to see as they went  to each station. We had a burger station for the dinner and water area.

We had Dr. Seuss book Happy Birthday to You! set out for guests to write a message to the birthday boy. which we will give him on his 16th birthday. It was really fun to read through them!

There was our Face Painting area, where the kids and guests could become one of the animal characters on "Baby Einstein Baby Noah"  (My little "Noah" was less than thrilled to take this picture! I think he was a little frightened by the giant reindeer!)

She was amazing and so fun to see with all the kids!

Our other activity station was the "Baby Einstein Baby Van Gogh" art area, where the kids were allowed to "paint" their own blank canvas . Coincindentally, it was Father's Day the following day, so it turned into a great spot for last minute Father's Day gifts from the kids!

Last, of course, was the cake for the smashing! I was excited about the cake, I kept both cakes a simple white background so I could make sure the bright colors and the caterpillar really stood out.

The birthday boy loved being sung to.

Eating the cake..... Not so much!!

 He mostly decided he'd had enough and ended up wiping it everywhere in the process of trying to wipe it all off his hands. A child of mine who doesn't like dessert! How is this possible!? Haha.

As a parting gift the kids were giving a bright orange bag filled with a color your own cup, a colorful silly straw and some sidewalk chalk! Perfect for the summer season!!

It was a great party and so much fun with all the colors! I highly recommend throwing a Baby Einstein party to anyone out there with a little one!

Cake, Food and Event Design: padicakes

Photography by: Amber Reverie Design

Baby Onsie: Auntie Donna's

Food Tent Labels: Easy Party Printables