It began when I could not, for the life of me, come up with yet another boy birthday party theme. After three boys and 10 birthday parties between them all…I was outta gas.
In fact, I thought about just throwing my hands up and going with no theme at all.
Until.
Oh yes, until I decided a color theme is better than no theme {can I get amen?}.
And so the Blue Ombre’ Birthday Party theme was birthed.
Errrrr, dreamed up.
I’ve birthed enough things.
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I had the BEST time decorating for this party. Mainly because it was super simple! Blue is easy to find when you are looking for boy party decor.
I absolutely adore how the cake turned out.
And no, I didn’t bake it. Remember when I said I’m a boy mom, fountain coke lover, diy wanna-be in my bio? Yea, no where in there does it mention baker.
So no, I don’t bake cakes.
But I’m really good at telling our local bakery HOW I want my cake to look. That takes some talent too, no?
Ahem.
Cake by Larry’s House of Cakes.
I have always wanted to make one of those cute ribbon banners. I found the fabric already cut in 2-inch pieces and in a bundle of blue ombre’ {what, what!} at JoAnn Fabrics.
All I had to do was cut each strip in half and tie them to a string. I hung white fabric with baby blue polka dots behind it. It made the most colorful back drop for the blue ombre theme.
I struggled with party favors this year. I am so over all the cheap silly plastic toys that they make for kid’s birthday parties.
If I’m being honest, we keep that kinda junk for about a day before it suddenly ends up in the trash and when my son asks, “Mom, where is that plastic frog I got from so-and-so’s party at?” I instantly act like I have no idea what happened to it.
Oh, come on…don’t act like you haven’t trashed those little trinkets without your kids knowing about it a time or two.
Candy? Candy isn’t much better. Mostly because the last thing your child needs after spending 2 non-stop hours at a glorious energy draining birthday party…is more energy.
No sir.
But, unfortunately, I caved and went candy this year.
I’m sure all the parents were swearing me under their breathe. But I needed BLUE ideas and Crunch Bars and Skittles fulfilled that description.
Sorry parents.
I hope that, despite my poor party decision, your kid went home and took a nap and saved the sugar rush for after.
Banner Envy made this gorgeous banner for me to hang outside by the pool. I was so impressed with the quality…and the size! It was huge and really made P Man feel super special.
He kept saying, “Momma, when are we gonna hang my big big banner?”
I was almost certain that it was going to rain the day of his party. The forecast was not on our side and, according to the weather man, it was destined to rain all afternoon.
I prayed and prayed for no rain because I had absolutely NO back up plan. Notta.
I really wasn’t excited about the thought of having 12-15 kids INSIDE my house with no games planned. I also wasn’t excited about eating the price of a cake that feeds 30 and 32 cupcakes {which I had to pick up the day before the party because our bakery is closed on Sunday} if I decided to reschedule.
The sky was clear as can be for the ENTIRE party. Not a single drop of rain until 30 minutes after the party was over.
God answers prayers…even in the small things.
Side note on his birthday party wardrobe of choice…I gave up fighting that battle over 2 years ago. Yes, ma’am I did.
If he wants to stroll out of his room in a Spiderman shirt, white gym shorts and a size 4T Old Navy button up shirt that might not even fit his younger brother…so be it.
After all, it’s his birthday. Let him wear whatever makes him happy. Regardless if it makes his mommy want to chase him back to his room to put on something that, at the very least, matches.
Oh, and one last thing worth noting…
The day of the party…Parker told me this:
“My favorite color is red.”
Awesome.
Next year son, next year we will do red ombre. Grrrrr.
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Girlfriend! That party was fabulous!! I loved it!! I am so impressed that by the 10th boy party, you didn’t just throw a cake down and be done with it…you went all out! I absolutely loved it!
Bah ha ha it’s all so beautiful, of course he would love a different color instead! I did a pink party for my eldest daughter once and she told me her favorite color was blue after the fact. Now everything is openly blue. “Mom, I want the blue bowl!” “I want the blue cup!” “I want the blue dress!” “I want the blue doll!” Blueblueblueblueblue. Not that there’s anything wrong with it, she just gets so demanding about it and hates it when I give anything blue to the other girls!
This party is fabulous. FOR REAL. I love everything about it!!!
I LOVE everything about this.Everything. I am only 3 years in but I am already so tired of character-theme parties. I am so doing this next year for my twins – picking a gender neutral color and rolling with it 🙂
Mandy,
I’ll admit that when I first saw your pictures I thought, “no way could I ever pull this off 5 times a year!” 🙂 I had fun reading your behind the scenes about everything and could totally relate. I love that you were able to take an easy idea and make it brilliant! And of course I was laughing at the end when Parker said that his favorite color was red…kids! 😉
~Sarah
Wow, this is absolutely GORGEOUS!! You did sooo good Mandy!
This is beautiful! (Is that ok to say about a boy’s party? Don’t tell Parker. 🙂 I love it! And now that you know, next year you can just basically repeat it in red! Ha!
This was beautiful party! I hate to use the work beautiful for a boys bday, but beautiful 🙂
I just placed an order with Banner Envy cuz your banner is awesome and I know my boy is going to love his. I do have one question tho…where did you get your poms? They look like tissue paper? Did you make them? Thanks!
You did such a great job, Mandy! I absolutely love the cake!
Love the birthday decor. If you don’t mind me asking how much did the party cost with the decor and cake?
Beautiful decor, Mandy! Amazing that such a simple idea can turn out so fabulous. Pinning this now in case I need a party idea for my son as he gets older. That’s so cool that it didn’t rain for the entire party. Thanks God!
Love the blue!!! I have two girls so I do see a “pink” party in my future :-} This year I let my 6 year old chose whatever she wanted to wear as well- usually we do a special dress but I just ran out of time…but I was a smart mama and had all her favorite dresses washed and front and center in the closet so she picked a good one (whew!) LOVE the banner- bookmarked that site for the future! Great job!
OMG!! I LOVE the ombre theme! This is so adorable Mandy, you did such a great job!! I absolutely love the cake!
LOL, that last part cracks me up- that is very typical of my kiddos as well. I had to chuckle. This year we skipped the 7 year old’s party and did a weekend trip instead. Somehow we convinced our kid, mom and dad need a vacation for his birthday. 🙂
Love it!! I had to read the red comment to Ben lol. So funny. That garland is so cute! I might do something similar for the girls! But pink of course will probably be requested 😉 see you soon!
I love it all! Especially the streamers and the cake. He looks so happy in that photo next to the table.
Mandy, this turned out so cute! Glad the weather held off for you! And, of course I love the touch of chevron 🙂
Loved it! The pictures are great but it was better in person! Red ombré would have led to pink so maybe that should be a baby girls party. Thanks for the idea P! 😉
I adore this party theme Mandy! Seriously, every single detail is spot on. I will be pinning this for later inspiration!
ooh so glad I came across your blog because the birthday parker looked amazing.. love all the awesome decorations. I am planning a bday for my son so these are some awesome ideas!
I love this theme! Hello! It’s limitless!
Oh, my goodness! What a smashing, steal-worthy party! Give yourself a pat on the back on this one. 🙂
Love this! I actually love all of your cakes. I notice you never give credit to the “local bakery.” I am actually from that area and would love to know who this is? ; )
I I love this party theme! That cake is gorgeous!!
It all turned out so cute, Mandy! Great theme! Boy themes can be so hard. So glad it didn’t rain on you guys. Looks like Parker had a great time!
~Abby =)
I just about died laughing at that last little bit. Kids. On a side note, have you done a camping/campfire themed party yet?
Love the blue ombre, Mandy! The cake turned out fabulous and the fabric bunting is so cute! And I totally giggled at his favorite color being red! ha.
I love this!! So wonderful! Can’t wait to see how the red ombre turns out. 😉
I absolutely laughed out loud reading the end of this post. The party was great, and the cake was awesome! Your child saying red was his favorite color and letting him dress himself was absolutely priceless! I commend you for letting him be himself. I need to do that more often with my own children, lol.
You are too funny! Loved the theme. Looks like Parker and his friends had a great time. 🙂
My almost three-year-old asked for a “blue” birthday party so I was very glad to find this post for inspiration! Lots of great ideas! Where did you get the great blue chevron table cloth?
I just love this post! I love that he decided his favorite color is red and his outfit choice. I agree…pick your battles!