Ever since Micah's birthday in January, Jeremiah has been talking about what he wanted at his own party.
He immediately decided on a train theme, and it seemed a perfect fit!
Of course I found all of the ideas for the party on Pinterest.
Jeremiah picked out some fabric out of my stash to make a birthday train shirt. The morning of the party, he took his usual favorite train shirt and gave it to Micah to wear to the party!
I used some scrap lumber and vinyl (cut on my Cricut) to make a railroad crossing sign. This was at the entrance to the party.
Jeremiah helped lay the tracks before the party started. We used electrical tape to make the tracks from the door into the party room and around the tables.
We had three tables set up for people to sit at. One each in green, blue, and red. I drew train faces on pieces of cardboard and taped them to the ends of the tables. Black poster board taped into tubes made smokestacks and each had three white balloons coming out the top for smoke. (Sensing a "three" theme?)
There was a train tunnel and tent set up behind the tables, too (I didn't get a picture of that!).
Jeremiah loves to paint. So for one party activity, I bought plain wood plaques from Wal-Mart and put black outlines of a train engine on them (cut with the Cricut). These were on the tables with bottles of paint, paint brushes, and Styrofoam plates. The "budding" artists were able to peel up the vinyl after painting to reveal the outline that had been painted over.
There was also a "grassy knoll" where the attendees could "blow off some steam" by blowing bubbles. Micah liked this station. He would dip the bubble wand in the liquid then lick it.
The favorite activity for the older kids was a last minute addition. We took some leftover pipe insulation tubing and cut it into 2" lengths to make "coal." An extra box made the perfect "coal car". The kids threw the coal into the car, then dumped it out and did it again.
A few empty boxes made a fun hiding spot!
Paper boxes made an appearance this year too. This time as train engines! (Train faces printed from here.)
We cut the bottoms of the boxes out so the kids could run around on the tracks!
The cupcakes fit perfectly inside a wooden train track we have.
(Cupcake toppers and drink labels printed from here.)
Now a few stats and likes:
He weighs 26.4 pounds.
He is tall 2' 10.75".
He loves to help with anything you are doing. Cook, clean, fix, etc.
He likes to watch the Leap Frog learning DVDs about letters and words. Trains and Mickey Mouse are a close second.
He is a creature of habit. If something changes or is rearranged, he is quick to notice and point it out.
He loves to have ham with ketchup, a pancake, and some fruit. He'd eat exactly that for every meal if we'd let him.
He can identify all letters (uppercase and lowercase) and make their sounds. He's just beginning to sound out words ("cat" is "c....a....t" but not "cat").
He likes to write letters, but most are not legible yet.
He can count to ten or twelve if encouraged. He prefers to say, "1, 2, 6, 8!"
He says phrases like "wash hands" or "eat ham", and refers to himself by using his name ("Jeremiah eat"). He does not use complete sentences.
He is getting much better at gross motor skills. He will jump and barely get both feet off the ground, he will throw a ball, cast a fishing pole, climb up the steps, etc. He can not really catch a ball and prefers not to go down the slides at the park.
He assesses risk very well. He considers every move before doing it. He prefers not to attempt new things and likes to watch others first.
He loves to read. He will sit and listen to a story and even look through books independently for quite a long time.
He is partial to Mom. When Josh tries to dress him, put him into his car seat, or put him to bed, "No, Mom do it."
He prefers not to get messy. While visiting my parents recently, he played in a sand pile forever! We were shocked!
We can not seem to wean him off his pacifier. "Bed time only" is hard for him.
He flat out refuses to sit on the potty.
He is still very independent. He only wants help when he asks for it.
He loves learning new things (except how to use the potty!). We are currently using a preschool homeschool curriculum. His favorite things are to learn about letters and use scissors to cut.
We have enjoyed watching Jeremiah grow into a little boy and pray God continues to equip us for the years ahead!
If you want to reminisce, you can read about Jeremiah turning one and two. And last year's birthday party here.
