Birthday Celebration: Take the A or W Train to Brooklyn - Alex's 4th and Will's 1st Birthday

We celebrated both boys' birthdays at the NY Transit Museum in Brooklyn. Alex was turning four and Will was turning one. We hired a graffiti artist to do the give away--custom baseball caps--and kept everything subway related.

I made the cupcakes myself, but got the toppers from Etsy. We did a combination of chocolate and vanilla.

We hired the super talented Sam Ralph to do the signage for the party.

The tracks are actually picket fences for a dollhouse--we painted them black and used the subway cars we already had to decorate the tables. We got all bowls from Party City.

I made these subway cars myself using cardboard, spray paint, cardstock, ribbon and duct tape. The kids were able to have subway races during the party.

The baseball caps were designed by SEN-ONE, a lovely and talented local artist.

The museum staff was amazing!

One of the birthday boys enjoying his cupcake.

Both boys wore subway shirts with their age. Here they are with their "Mimi".

We highly recommend this location for your next birthday party!

Stop, Drop and Roll: Alex's Fire-Themed Third Birthday Party

It has been quite some time since my last post—I have been busy enjoying time with my boys. I absolutely love being on maternity leave; I know I am incredibly fortunate to work for a company that provides me this invaluable time with William (and Alexander before that). 

Less than a month after Will was born, Alex turned three. We decided to have his birthday party at the NYC Fire Museum because he loves all things fire related. The building is an old fire station, which has been converted to a museum and party space. There are two floors of old fire memorabilia and the third floor is the party space. 

I used four main colors: Red, white, yellow and orange. I made a fire truck birthday cake (my first time using fondant!), and kept the snacks all in the same color scheme. 

I ordered a fire truck shirt on Etsy (on the back, was a hose in the shape of a three) and used tried to mimic that fire truck for his birthday sign, which I made using card stock and free hand drawing. 

I also made flames to go around the four columns in the space.

Every child got a fire truck hat, which we set on the table. 

 

The space is fantastic—it is bright and spacious. 

Relaxing and playing with family before the guests arrive. 

  

The first guest arrives! Someone is so excited!

We had a story hour and then show and tell with some old fire gear—one was a hat and the other a horn from the 1800s. 

After story hour/show and tell, the kids colored their own fire trucks and then we went downstairs to watch a fire safety video and have a scavenger hunt. 

Alex was named the captain of Fire Station 30 and Andy was the Lt. 

The scavenger hunt.

After the scavenger hunt, we came back upstairs for pizza and cake.

After cake, we had a dance party (to work off the sugar everyone just consumed!). 

  

The thank you bags—they included a fire extinguisher water toy, a spotted dog, coloring books and crayons, stickers and a few snacks. Each child also got to take home a balloon. 

Alex’s gifts from his parents and brother, tied with the same fire engine ribbon. 

When we left the museum, it had started to snow! What a brutal winter we had this year. 

For Alex’s thank you notes, I amended the online invitation I sent for print. I also lined the envelopes with various patterns (lining the envelopes myself saved about $200!).

It was a great birthday for a great little guy!