Football ~ Tailgate Birthday Party!

I need to give a little background before I just dive right in and elaborate on these photos!  When we arrived at the park to set up for the party (Carolyn, if you're reading this, thank you SO much for helping me!), there was a big, dark storm cloud.  The wind blew.  It kept getting stronger and stronger.  I was praying for that cloud to turn the other direction....or at least hold off until his party was over.  We almost made it through the whole party.  About 30 minutes before it was over, the bottom feel out!  We all got soaked!  Anyway, when we first set the cake up (before anyone even arrived), a big gush of wind came and blew something over on to the cake!  So, it was perfect before I took these pictures.  Oh well!

The invite told all guest to dress to cheer on their favorite team or come dressed in their team's colors.

{oh, and we're just going to pretend my son's names aren't in some of these photos....they just wouldn't have been as cute if I had blurred them out}

The inspiration for the cake came to me when I saw this photo on another blog:

I came up with this:

{as you can see, the wind messed up the swirly line}

Everyone got a Spirit Button to wear on their shirts that had the #3 on them.  I used an old picture of him when he was 1 at his first football/tailgate and a recent picture of him that I love.

John Taylor made a toddler size football goal post out of PVC pipe and I hung festive bunting across to blow in the wind.

I also had a basket of footballs for the kids to play with.

My mother-in-law made these veggie cups with individual packets of Ranch.  We had tailgating type food --- chicken nuggets, chicken salad sandwiches, chips with bean dip,  & PB&J sandwiches for the kids.  My mom made the bean dip and I plan on sharing that recipe soon.  It's out of this world!

We also had cake and cupcakes, of course!

Football helmet and football shape PB&J sandwiches.  I used cookie cutters.

Here is the table.  The wind kept blowing the table cloths!

The party favors were Spirit Poms.  In white, to go with any team colors.

For the containers, I just covered cylinder glass vases with brown gingham fabric and had a little sign made to sit next to them.

The party favor tags were probably my favorite little detail.  I used a picture of Jack at his first football tailgate.  It was a picture of him from the back and you could see his name spelled out on the jersey.  The tags said, thank you for playing and then Love and his name on the jersey was under Love.  I personalized them by printing each child's name on the tag.

A great time was had by all.....especially this big boy!

Invitations: 29:11 Creations, my friend Emily
Cake/cupcake stand: Kiwi Wood Werks
Cupcake toppers: 29:11 Creations
Tiny bunting around cake stand: Me, using solid craft paper from Hobby Lobby
Spirit Buttons: Designed by 29:11 Creations, printed by me.  Plastic do-it-yourself buttons - Hobby Lobby.
Football applique t-shirt: Tailgating Tots, my friend Kristy
Gingham bunting banner: j u s t   p r e t t y
Mini football goal post: Made by John Taylor out of pipe from Lowe's
Stickers on cups: 29:11 Creations
Spirit Poms party favors: Here
Party favor tags: Designed and printed by me
Party favor sign: Designed by 29:11 Creations, printed by me
Party Favor containers: Glass cylinder vases from Hobby Lobby covered in brown gingham fabric from Hobby Lobby