Choo Choo! Luke is 2!

This past Saturday, we celebrated Luke's 2nd birthday with a train party! I decided on this theme for Luke long before his first birthday, and ideas have been swirling in my head for the past year. This party was so much fun to plan and even more fun to host. It was the best thing in the world to see Luke's face when the train rolled down the street up to our house. It's something I'll never forget. 

 

We had about 60 people come over to celebrate. Our house was filled with friends and family, and lots of happy little train riders. I must admit - the train was such a fun thing and half the kids didn't get off the entire time it was running. Luke didn't.

 

I went a little overboard on the decorations this year. I made a LOT of it... train signs, railroad crossings, the train fare chocolate favors, right down to the banners. It was just so fun! I would dream it up or see it on a blog and had to do it. The day before the party, I sat myself down with 4 rolls of duct tape and made a railroad track from the street to our door. It was so whimsical and fun! 

 

Indoors, we asked all guests to sign a train book for Luke to keep. It's a sweet souvenir for him that he can read for years to come. We had all the food indoors including the cupcakes and precious cookies that were almost too pretty to eat. The party was at 10am, but with everyone riding the train, I knew they probably wouldn't eat right away, so at the main table, we had hotdogs, fruit cups, individual chip bags and popcorn (from Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children - the best in Dallas!). In the kitchen, we had mimosas for the adults, along with cinnamon rolls, coffee cake and muffins. 

Outside, we had sodas, beer, juice boxes and water bottles. I wrapped all the water bottles in the cutest printables. 

In the living room, we kept it simple and just did a banner of Luke's monthly pictures and did LUKE letters on the mantle.

 

The sunroom was my favorite! We rented kid's tables and chairs and I went to town decorating the heck out of that room. We rolled out butcher paper and at every seat, placed a conductor's hat and bandana and train whistle and train fare - chocolate coins wrapped in burlap. Down the middle of the table, I rolled red burlap and then did navy railroad lanterns every foot or so. There were also crayons on the table and, at each end, train coloring sheets. Since balloons are Luke's favorite, we had plenty both inside and outside.

Once the party started, everyone rode the train multiple times. It was the neatest train and the conductor was so nice. The train had authentic sounds and played train songs and I'm pretty sure it was the very best day of Luke's little life so far. 

 

After the last train ride, the conductor let Luke climb up into the front and ring the bell. Best moment of my sweet baby's life! He got to press the "All Aboard!" sounds and ring the bell to his heart's content. He is still talking about that choo choo train non-stop.

 

Once we were able to pry him away from the train, we went promptly inside to sing happy birthday and eat cake and ice cream (or in Luke's case, a cinnamon roll and ice cream!). Luke's little face was so precious when everyone was singing to him; he relished every moment. Isn't it so wonderful to see life through your child's eyes?!

 

This was absolutely the perfect party for my little train lover. He was in his element riding the train, being with his friends and getting to eat ice cream and cinnamon rolls (together!). It was so much fun for me to be able to make and do all of this for him, and his smiles and excitement of that day will stick with me a lifetime. 

I'd like to give credit where credit is due! 

Train and Table/Chair Rental: Bounce 'N More (ask for Conductor Steve!) 

Cookies: SweetFace Cookie Boutique

Invitations: Party Monkey on Etsy

Drink and Cupcake Printables: 3 Little Monkeys Studio on Etsy 

Train Coloring Page: Sugar Pie Studio on Etsy 

 (my mother in law made that beautiful burlap table cloth)