Luke's Semi-Homemade Birthday Party - Down on the Farm!

Some of my dearest friends have the art of semi-homemade entertaining down to the tee! One of those is long time friend, Val in Olathe, KS. She and I worked together right after college and went on our very-first-real-world-career-trip together. She got me through some of the tough crap (before I was the Mrs. to Mr. Fix-It!) Ahh, the stories....

But when she shared her son's Semi-Homemade Birthday Party 'Down on the Farm,' I knew I had to share it with y'all!

The inspiration: Luke loves animals! And he's turning 5, so lots of space was needed for a pack of rowdy boys!

The location: A farmstead in in KC called Deanna Rose Farmstead. In Val's words: It is like a majorly suped up petting zoo... pony rides, fishing, duck feeding, big slides coming out of a barn, you get the picture.

The prep work: Birthday boy helped mom make these adorable goodie bags! What was inside? Animal figures (of course!), goldfish (they went fishin'!), lollipops and bouncy balls!

What a fun activity for a range of ages! Val cut out the animals, Luke worked on 'cutting the grass.'

The 'cake': Val totally had me at the word 'mix.' She says:

This is the cookie mix, I use TWO of them to make the cookie (it makes it thicker than a usual cake... and a tad gooey!)

But then, this is where the not-so-much-semi-homemade part comes. She swears it's nothing, but look what she pulled off! THE cutest cow (who knew cows could be cute?!) cookie cake. Val, you're hired! And what do you have in the way of Nutcracker Suite themes? ;)

Here's the cookie cake in action - what a hit with the guys!

One thing we miss about KS (besides some amazing friends)? The fall folliage. Could the backdrop BE any more beautiful? One lil cowboy giddy ups...

The birthday boy gets his fish on with his closest buddies!

Not sure who is cuter - the birthday boy or the baby goat! Love the cowboy hats - each kiddo got to take one home.

And in case you've been inspired to throw your own farming party, I've pulled together a few more ideas!

This cute centerpiece is by Jolly Lolly Creations on Etsy. You could even work on matching foam animal crafts during the bday party - I know I've seen them at Michaels or HL.

And I love, love the cow tablecloths and the use of red. So cute!

And because y'all know how much I love the birthday kiddo to coordinate with the party (although I know this is something G-man will prob not appreciate nearly as much as Big Sis, but....) A cute tractor tee from makmaydesigns, also on Etsy.

For the time-starved mom who has a little more money to spend, try the everything-you'd-ever-need-to-throw-a-totally-CUSTOM-party pack. The Barnyard Bash includes invites, thank yous, birthday banner (love!those!), birthday hat, and 25 goodie bags with custom tags.

And I just love this shop for party favors. I convo'ed Mommys Little Critters last wk on my day off and she instantly started work on some custom Nutcracker soaps for Big Sis's bday party! She has tractors, she has fishys, she has animals. Seriously, I'm not sure there is anything she can't do!

Happy Birthday, Luke! Looks like you had a fun party - and I know you have one great momma!

.

Want to share YOUR semi-homemade decorating or entertaining ideas? Email me at oursemihomemadelife at yahoo dot com. If we get enough ideas, I'd love to make this a regular feature!

Don't forget to vote for me (and G-man's Pirate Nursery!) once a day at Design Dazzle and be entered to win $500 in the coolest prizes!