Ava's Barnyard Bash 2nd Birthday

Ava turned two at the beginning of September, and we had a pretty epic bash to celebrate! I had decided early in the year that I wanted to do a farm-themed party and host it at our family's farm back home in eastern NC. It turned out to be a perfect backdrop for a perfect day.

As all good parties do, it started with the invite.

I ordered these and matching address labels from Etsy seller Delight Paperie. They were backed with red gingham which I loved.

As guests arrived, they were directed down the path to the party by a tractor and balloons.

We held the party under one of the barns on the farm. The shelter at the back provided nice shade from the unseasonably hot day. Plus it provided gorgeous views of the farm.

Tables were covered with either gingham tablecloths or burlap table runners, with sunflowers as centerpieces.

Upon arriving, the young and young at heart were encouraged to don bandanas and cowboy hats.

The food table was decorated with a gingham overlay, galvanized letters spelling Ava's name, and miniature hay bales that displayed the farm-themed name of each dish.

The "watering hole" included lemonade, mason jars tied with twine and gingham ribbon and a galvanized tub full of bottled water, juice boxes and glass bottle Cokes.

To help entertain the littles, we set up a big galvanized tub, lined it with burlap and filled it with corn and toys (tractors, measuring cups, a funnel, farm animals). It was a big hit with the kids.

Ava's Pa refurbishes old lawn tractors so we set up a mini one for the kids to sit on.

Pa even took it for a spin.

But the biggest hit of the day was by far the HORSES!

Stepping Stones Stables came out with a bevy of horses for the kids and adults to enjoy.

Out on the hill the sun was shining, the breeze was blowing and I think everyone had a blast.

The chickens next door were a bit hit too. (We even had a rooster cock-a-doodle-doo-ing in the background of the party!)


No birthday party is complete without cake, and we had a beautiful one thanks to the Cake Construction Company. Even though the heat caused it to melt (the piggy and horsey went tumbling at one point) it was still delicious!

Presents were stored in the bucket of our John Deere, and Ava had a blast cruising around on her new 4-wheeler.

Favors for the kids were a personalized galvanized pail lined with gingham and filled with horse or farm stickers, a Cow Tale, a farm animal and a "hay bale" rice krispy treat from Farmer Ava.

There was also a tub of hay bales and hay stacks for the adults to enjoy. The customized bandana stickers were from Tiny Prints.

Thank you notes and address labels were from the Tiny Prints Wild Bandana collection as well.

It was an amazing day and we're so thankful for everyone who came (from near and far!) to help us celebrate our sweet girl.

Sources

Invitations: Etsy seller Delight Paperie
Photography: Garden Spot Photography
Horses: Stepping Stones Stables
Cake: Cake Construction Company
Favor labels, thank you notes, address labels: Tiny Prints
Burlap table runners: Hobby Lobby
Checked tablecloths: Amazon
Gingham Fabric: Online Fabric Store
Bandanas: Hobby Lobby and AC Moore
Cowboy Hats: Amazon
Galvanized letters: Michael's
Hay bales: Hobby Lobby
Chalkboard signs: Hobby Lobby
Chalkboard food signs: AC Moore
Ava's boots and shirt: Target
Ava's shorts: Gymboree

October: Pumpkin Patch, State Fair, and Halloween

We had an awesome October that started with a trip to the pumpkin patch, included a few trips home, an anniversary trip to Asheville for Lee and I, and a visit to the State Fair, and ended with a really fun Halloween. And somewhere in there, Ava started walking, so I'd call it a pretty successful month.

First up, the pumpkin patch. We went to Green Acres farm in Cary and even though the weather was more like summer than fall we had a good time.

Ava got to pet a rabbit:





And swing:







And go on a hay ride:









And see cows and goats:



And of course, pick out pumpkins:







A few weekends later we hit up the State Fair.

There were delicious cookies:



And huge pumpkins:



And baby calves nursing:



And cute children showing ewes:



And those Click It or Ticket things from when I was a kid:



And watching the Agricadabra magic show from daddy's shoulders:



And fair naps:



While mama and dada ate ribbon fries!



We also got Ava's silhouette hand-cut in the Village of Yesteryear:



Ava said "moo" to all of the cows, and all-in-all it was a pretty awesome day.

And of course, the cherry on top of October was Halloween. Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the cutest pig in America:













She even learned the sound effects to go with her costume.



Ava's daycare had a Halloween parade that was fairly adorable.













Then we went trick or treating with our neighbors.







She was so happy to sit in her wagon and clutch her pieces of candy:



It was such a fun night (and month). Ava's at a really fun age right now and we're enjoying getting to see her personality blossom and seeing her learn and show off something new every day. I can't wait to see what she's like at Christmas :)