NC State Wolfpack/Sports Theme Party!

Last weekend we celebrated my son's 2nd birthday with a party at our local city park. This is the same park I grew up going to and celebrating birthdays. I am sure this won't be the last birthday party we have at the park! I planned this party down to every last detail! I visited the shelter several times to count tables, figure out how I wanted everything arranged, etc. Well, lets just say things didn't go as planned! First of all, the tables were bolted down, so I couldn't move them. They had to stay where they were. The biggest problem was the WIND! It was a gorgeous day, but the wind was out of control!

We are huge NC State fans! Our son, Carter, pretty much only wants to wear an NC State shirt every day. Luckily, he has plenty to choose from. :) I didn't want the party to be only NC State stuff. I decided to go with black and white chevron with red accents and a few NC State things here and there. This table was for the gifts and favors.

I found this chevron covered magnet board at Hobby Lobby on clearance. I had to have it! It was supposed to be be standing vertically, but the wind kept blowing it over. I turned it and rearranged everything, but it still  kept blowing over luckily I got a picture of everything in place! Our football stadium is Carter Finley Stadium. I thought it was only fitting that we call our party area Carter Fitzgerald Stadium! :)

I already had this frame from Hobby Lobby. I always like to frame a current picture of my kids at their birthday party. I saw on Pinterest the cute idea for the penalty flags. You wrap a tootsie pop with a yellow napkin and tie string around it. I thought they turned out really cute! I found the Mr. Wuf image on Google and used it to make my sign!

All party guests were given basketballs as a favor! My husband saw NC State, Duke and UNC basketballs at the Five Below store. They were a little more than we'd normally spend on a favor, but decided they were too perfect to pass up! After playing at the park and eating, the kids had the best time playing in the grassy areas with these balls! I found NC State wrapping paper and wrapped a large cardboard box. I found the NC State logo on Google and used it to make my sign.

I made these ball trees by using floral tape to put 2 floral stems together.  I glued fishing line to the sports themed Easter eggs and hung them on the "tree". This one is a little windblown, but you get the idea. I had to put the water bottle on there to help keep them from blowing over. The pots were ceramic so they already were pretty heavy!

There was supposed to be a big bouquet of balloons on the basketball in the center. Again, due to wind we couldn't do that. We lost a lot of balloons while trying to get set up!

I love these water bottles! This cute little Mr. Wuf was the image I found and used on the invitation. I added it on top of a chevron image that I also found online. I just think they are adorable!

We had about 80 people coming to the party so decided to serve hot dogs, chips and fruit. Not very fancy, but practical and not too expensive. I found these cute trays at a local wholesale store. I thought they looked like something you would use at a tailgate or would get at a concession stand.

I put the fruit in an NC State bowl and the chips were in a NC State picnic basket that we have had for many years! I was glad to have a reason to use those pieces!

I've never made or used cupcake picks before. I decided to use BJ's cupcakes instead of trying to make them myself. The ladies there could not have been sweeter! They went out of their way to help me! I used the same image from the invitation and water bottles for one side and then the regular NC State logo for the other. I cut them out with a round punch, taped one side to a toothpick and then used a glue stick to attach the back. I was happy with how they turned out!

My original reason for making this cupcake stand was to put the cake on top. Unfortunately the cake was way to heavy for my amateur stand! At the last minute, I made the large cupcake pick that's on top so I would have some sort of topper.
I used wooden charger plate and wooden candle sticks from Hobby Lobby to make the stand. I painted it white and used a craft/wood glue to glue it all together. I hope to be able to use this stand for a long time!

 THE CAKE! I can't even tell you how much I LOVE this cake! It turned out so perfect! I sent the bakery a picture of the invitation and asked her to put the chevron on the outside and the wolf on the top. When I saw the 2 and his name on the front I was speechless! Just perfect!!

Here is a view of the cake and cupcakes together! Love!!

Here is the happy birthday boy after blowing out his candles! 

One last detail...I made this dress for my daughter to wear to the party. I might have to make myself one next! ;) I have had several requests to make more of these. Not sure if I'm ready for that yet!! 

My sweet family at the party! Still can't believe my baby boy is 2!