Gavin's Goldfish Birthday

Okay, so it's been a while since I've posted anything. I keep meaning to, but I just get caught up with baby showers, birthday parties and getting ready for our new baby! That and I'm just overall exhausted. I do have several projects I've been working on lately I'm excited to share, the first being Gavin's Second Birthday Party last weekend.

I'm a little embarassed to say I've been planning for a while, but I had so much fun with the theme and was so excited to try out some new ideas inspired by a blog I love (TomKatStudios) and my overall Etsy obsession. While Jeff thought the theme was a little goofy ("Goldfish, really?" he kept asking) I knew it would be fun.

I set up a goldfish bar that was made up of all the flavors of Goldfish crackers I could find in decorated bubble bowls. The kids got to scoop up their favorite flavors in little cups with custom made "Here Fishy Fishy labels".

I also tried my hand for the first time at a candy buffet. I found a great site online that sold candy by the color and managed to find all sorts of yummy treats in my theme colors of orange and blue. The rock candy sticks were a big hit, especially with the adults!

Yummy!

To keep the kids entertained, my crafty momma made a fishing game out of foam fish (found at Michaels). There were magnets on the tails and she made fishing poles out of wooden dowels, thick string and magnets on the end to "hook" the fish. We used a little blow-up pool and handed the kids buckets of bait (gummy worms to munch on!) and let the kids go fishing! They had a blast and it ended up occuping them for HOURS!

Cousin Jordan and Cousin Otto go fishing!

Birthday boy catches a fish!

Now that Gavin was a little older this year, I added a pinata that was made just for the party by an awesome local company I found.

It was so well made all the kids got a turn before all the treasts inside came spilling out.

Enough for everyone!

Instead of the amazing cake I had last year for Gavin's Rockstar Party, I decided to go with double cupcake towers.

I'm sure parents just LOVED the blue frosting...

I had cupcake toppers made to match the invites and decorations and I think it turned out adorable!

Gavin wore a special Goldfish crown (found on Etsy) while cheering for himself and singing "Happy Birthday" the loudest!

For favors, I made Fish in a Bag soap based directions I found here.

I had read an idea to decorate the party with real goldfish in bowls and then send home with the kids, but I thought parents might not be too happy with me....No dead fish here, just a bribe to try and gets kids to wash themselves!
Overall, I think everyone had a blast, including the birthday boy. Yes, I went a little overboard, but what else is a crafty momma to do? Coming soon- Gavin's new big boy room and the nursery!