samuel’s 3rd birthday party

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We just celebrated Sam’s 3rd birthday this past weekend.  

The whole three thing really snuck up on me.  I know mom’s say it all the time, but I really can’t believe it.  I feel like this should be his second birthday, not his third.  I told him he was my big boy now, no longer a baby.  He said, “Mom, I’m notta big boy.  I just Sam!”  That works for me kid 🙂

This year he had a Party Animal theme.  The plastic animal bins at the craft stores are his happy place.  Park the cart next to those and he is one happy camper!  I let him pick some out for his party and hot glued on tiny party hats made out of craft paper, pom poms, and silver pipe cleaners.  He played “zoo” with them non-stop the week before his party.
The streamers were a $2 DIY I’ll share in a follow up post (click here for tutorial).

To make things easy on myself, I purchased the digital download Draw Together Birthday Set from the Caravan Shoppe.  It is AWESOME.  Well, everything from them is!  If you haven’t checked them out before, you absolutely must.  The files for the background 3 poster, the Pin the Bow Tie on the Bear game, and Happy Birthday banner that you see below were just part of what was included.  Super easy!
The last half of the party we had a couple of ponies show up for the kids to ride.  I mean what kid doesn’t like a pony?!!  Sam.  That’s who.  He went for about one ride and was over it 😀 But, the other kids had a blast and took turns riding Outlaw and Jack Jack over and over.  

 At the end kids got to pick out their favorite animal jar to take home, filled with animal crackers.  These were an easy DIY I’ll share in a follow up post along with the thank you tag.  Click here for the tutorial.

These super cute thank you cards were more printables and FREE (minus paper and ink)!!!  What, what?!!!  The cards are a FREE download from the Caravan Shoppe, and the envelopes are a FREE download from Jones Design Company from her valentines set.  For the envelopes, I printed them out at 110% so they would be large enough to accommodate the cards.  Toss in some leftover confetti so that all of your friends will hate you when their kids open the cards ;D

Confetti for everyone!!!

// SOURCES // number poster . pin the bow tie on the bear . happy birthday banner . letter balloons . confetti . stripe table fabric . plastic animals on table (Michaels) or this set . cake stand (Homegoods) . name candles (Party City) . thank you cards . envelopes . DIY mason jar favors . DIY ruffled streamers

Comments

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  1. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper Avatar

    how adorable is sam? and his party?!?! and is he really 3 already? these questions and more…. i need answers.

  2. Jessica Hartgrave Avatar

    I love love love your style and ideas. My favorite thing you clued me in on is the striped Ikea fabric that I first bought when I copied Sam's fox party for my son a few years ago — I'm obsessed with it. Use it all the time now! Thanks for sharing all your amazingness!!

    1. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      Isn't that fabric great!!! I use it all the time as well. I think it has made an appearance at every birthday the kids have had since I bought it 2 years ago 😀 Thank you so much for the sweet comment, Jessica!

  3. Mindy Avatar

    Um, didn't you JUST have him?!

  4. Lisa @ Shine Your Light Avatar

    That is such an adorable 3 year old party theme Shelley (and adorable 3 year old!) You are so creative!

  5. Amy Avatar

    He is so unbelievably cute. I can't even stand it. Happy Birthday "just Sam". I hope it was great.

  6. Liberty Thompson Avatar

    This is the cutest party ever! Can I ask you where you printed the large bear and number posters? Thanks!

    1. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      Thank you so much! I printed them off at Staples. You can do it all online and then swing in the store to pick up the prints. Super easy!

  7. Brittney Hill Avatar

    Can you share the garland / streamer diy? thanks!

    1. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      Oh my goodness, Brittney, I forgot all about the streamer tutorial!!! I'll work on getting that posted soon! Thank you for the reminder!

    2. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      Hi Brittney! Just wanted to let you know the streamer DIY is up on the blog 🙂

  8. B. P. Avatar

    I love it!! Do tell about the party favor jars and zebra tag, if you have a minute!

    1. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      I'm going to get a post up about it for you guys next week!

    2. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      Just wanted to let you know the party favor jars and a download to the zebra tag is up on the blog!

  9. Raquel Durik Avatar

    I would love to hear how you made the jars, where they came from and the tags as well! I am doing something similar for my son's 1st birthday in a few months, and am going to borrow some of your awesome ideas. Your party was adorable!

    1. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      Thank you! I'm going to get a post put together and will have it up next week for you! It will include all the info on the jars and a download for the tags, as well as the DIY garland someone mentioned earlier.

    2. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      Hi Raquel! Just wanted to let you know the tutorial for the jars including a download for the tags is up on the blog!

  10. Vanessa Jensen Avatar
    Vanessa Jensen

    How do you print out the big posters for the bear and number ?? Sorry if it's a dumb question��

    1. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      Not at all a dumb question!!! I had them printed off at Staples. Office Depot is another option. They have large scale printers and the black and white 3'x4' size costs about $7.

  11. Lisa Avatar
    Lisa

    Hello! I loveeee this party and is totally an inspiration as I plan my son's 1st birthday party! The plastic animals on the dessert table, where did you buy them? Thank you!

    1. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      Happy Early Birthday to your son!!! The plastic animals on the table came from Michael's, but I've also seen them at Hobby Lobby.

  12. ashley smith Avatar

    Love it! Did you use your own printer to print out the tags on the jars? About how much did this party cost?

  13. ashley smith Avatar

    Love it! Did you use your own printer to print out the tags on the jars? About how much did this party cost?

    1. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      Yes, I used my own printer for the tags and thank you notes/envelopes. I'd say I probably spent $80-90 (printable party set, printing, plastic animals, balloons, streamers, party favors). I don't recall how much the pony rental was, though.

  14. Matthew Bates Avatar

    Where is the table cloth from? Love it!!

    1. CrazyWonderful Avatar

      Thanks! It's fabric from IKEA.

  15. Sharn Avatar
    Sharn

    Hi thankyou somuch for sharing your party ideas. I just wanted to know where you got the bowties for the bears ? And what adhesive you used for bowties?

    Thankyou

    1. Shelley Avatar
      Shelley

      Hi Sharn! The bowties were part of the birthday printable set from The Caravan Shoppe I linked to at the bottom of the post, “Pin the Bowtie on the Bear”. Their set includes a lot of great stuff!

      1. Sharn Avatar
        Sharn

        Thank you so much 🙂

  16. Nichole Avatar
    Nichole

    What size did you print all the posters and stuff?

    1. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful Avatar

      I believe I did the largest 36×48.

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Hi, I’m Shelley! My belief is that with a little creativity and elbow grease, you can make your home look like a million bucks without spending it.

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