We decided to have a train party for Sam’s second birthday! He has recently entered his bizarre-unexplainable-two-year-old-boy obsession with all things Choo Choo, so we thought it would be fun. (Plus Choo Choo rhymes with TWO!) ha.
I started my quest for train related items at the party store. I was VERY disappointed that they have tons of train stuff, but it’s all Thomas. I don’t hate Thomas (well, sometimes I do – I think he’s kind of mean to the other trains…. and that theme song, for the LOVE are they TRYING to make me insane?). I DO enjoy that he’s blue and red. I also dig that he’s British. And I think it’s cool that he was first a book series from the 40’s. Of course, I do like that he’s anthropomorphized…but who doesn’t like big words for talking trains? But we never watch it. I think Sam has only seen it while we were in the hospital. I don’t think we get that channel. Plus I don’t love throwing parties with all syndicated character stuff, when it’s so easy to DIY! I know that someday the kids will request characters for their birthday stuff, so I am enjoying the DIY while I can. 🙂
Anyway, I saw THIS party on The Hostess with the Mostess. You have to see it. It was so cute! They called it the “Modern Train Party.” It feels sort of Thomas-y with out being an in your face Thomas party. They also rented a really cool trackless train to take the kids for rides around the neighborhood!! WOW.
Our party was just family this year, so I wanted to keep it small, but still wanted it to be cute. I sent the “Modern Train Party” link to the wonderful and talented Amy, of Proffitt Productions. She whipped up some cupcake toppers and a cute sign in like a minute! Love her!
I was also able to save some time and cash by re purposing some of the awesome decorations that Tracy made for Luc’s party who turned two a few months ago! The colors she used were the same as the colors of Thomas! Good luck. Recognize that banner and those goodie bags!!? haha. Thanks Tracy! (So, I plan on doing that every year.) Good thing you have such good taste. 🙂
I glued the kids faces into the windows of these little 25 cent wooden trains from Hobby Lobby. Then I glued magnets to the back. The kids colored them.
We made train shaped tortilla chips for the hummus! Cut out whole wheat tortillas with cookie cutter, drizzle with olive oil and salt, bake till crispy. Thanks Darleen! My mother in law cut them all out! 🙂
Stamped some trains on some napkins – makes plain, cheap napkins more festive and fancy!
popcorn with Craisins.
I saw this tutorial and decided we NEEDED a train cake for sure. I made it following the instructions on the video. It was so EASY…..but, it was way more time consuming than I thought it would be. Anyone can do it, it really was super simple. But it does take time. It was really fun to decorate, though! Totally worth it! I used store bought cake mix, but made my own frosting. That was totally worth it, too. It was phenomenal! I’m not a great baker (that’s why I went with the store-bought mix) and I’m not a great cake-icer, so don’t judge. I used lots of extra candy to hide my mistakes. Icing cakes to make them smooth and pretty is HARD! I have a new appreciation for bakers. 🙂
Look at that cute licorice and pretzel track!
The marshmallow caboose was so cute! Oreo wheels, raisinette coal, licorice front grate thing, rolo smoke stack with marshmallow smoke! Seriously fun to decorate! 🙂
The animal cracker car was my favorite!!
BEST BUTTERCREAM FROSTING EVER
1 cup of softened butter (NO SHORTENING)
8 cups of confectioners sugar
2 teaspoons of vanilla
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream (a little at a time – because you might need less)
Put all of the above ingredients into a stand mixer with whisk attachment and combine. Once it’s combined, scrap the sides down and mix on high for 2 minutes. Done. Delish.
I made a double batch because I wanted half to be chocolate and half to be blue. I didn’t have any cocoa powder, so I melted half a bag of Trader Joe’s semi-sweet calletts, and mixed that in to make it chocolate. OH.MY.GOODNESS. It was a light chocolate color, but the taste was so perfect.
We bought the bean a train table from Craigslist. Everyone played!
He got great train related gifts from everyone! He was in Choo Choo heaven.
My dad even designed and made him a super cool wooden train! Check this thing out. Isn’t it AWESOME!? An heirloom. The kids adore it. It was a great day.
I love this hat!
wow. that party was very impressive and adorable. i’m so glad my kids can’t read blogs yet.
Erin,you did an AMAZING job! We were already planning on doing a train party for my older guy’s 3rd birthday so I’ll have to bookmark this post. I LOVE the cake & think the tortilla chips in the shape of trains is the smartest idea I’ve ever seen! I am drooling at the train your dad made… such an awesome gift! Thanks for sharing!
LOVE IT! I always wanted to do a train theme, and somehow I’ve managed to miss my window of opportunity. Glad the decor came in handy. 😉 Now, do you think Lucie will want a Jedi party? Cause I’ve got TONS of stuff for ya! HA!
It’s true….BEST FROSTING EVER!!
I was ooing and awwing over this yesterday before you ever linked up with WW . Great job!! Thank you for link with MH!
Thanks guys! Danielle – your’e funny! 🙂 I LOVE your parties too. In fact I totally scrap lifted your card idea from Eli’s party last year! haha
That cake is adorable!!