This past Saturday, I had the joy of attending my two favorite little girls’ joint birthday party. Sweet June turns four in two weeks and precious Nora turned one on the day of the party. I can’t believe it has been a year since I held her in the hospital and I cannot believe it has been 3 years since the amazing summer I got to spend nannying my June-bug!

I love these two little girls and their family with my whole heart, so you can see why it was such an honor when their precious mama Ashley asked me to plan their birthday party. I have always had a little dream of being an event planner/coordinator, so this was an awesome way to test out some of those skills (thank you, Ashley) and man, it was so.much.fun. For the past 6 weeks I have had the joy of planning, shopping, and getting everything together for Saturday and I couldn’t have been happier with the party’s success and how much June, Nora, and all their sweet friends loved their time together.

Ashley told me she wanted to go with a barnyard theme with a petting zoo. Yes and yes. With that theme in mind, I just ran with it and here are some fun details and pictures.

Step 1: Find Petting Zoo 

Ashley mentioned to me a petting zoo that had come to June’s school and I researched a few others, called them for available dates, and landed on Whispering Hope Farms, LLC. They were so awesome with the kids. Their mobile petting zoo consisted of bunnies, chicks, a goat, a ram, a baby pig, and not a pony – a full grown horse! (yes, I did ride it).

Step 2: Invitations 

I had the invitations designed by Etsy shop CharlesAlexDesigns and received the digital download. From there, I printed them and bought coordinating pink envelopes from Amazon.

Step 3: Outfits 

Who doesn’t love shopping for baby clothes? I died when I saw these overalls from Osh Kosh B’Gosh and bought their pink felt cowgirl hats from Amazon.

Step 4: Decorations and Other Materials 

Photo Booth: With two straw bales and garden stakes from AB Poe Farmers Exchange , the most adorable fabric garland from Etsy Shop arrowandgold, and balloons from Publix, this was my most favorite project.

Throw back to elementary school when the Oriental Trading catalog was the cool thing to browse. They’re still around and as affordable as ever. I bought the pink gingham table cloths, plates, napkins, cowboy hats, bandannas, and barnyard animal nose props all from OT.

The chalkboard, galvanized buckets, and flowers all came from the beloved Hobby Lobby.

Step 5: Snacks and Cupcakes 

I cannot take much credit for this, as Ashley is the best at coming up with the perfect menu, but we decided to go simple. Goldfish, teddy grahams, apple juice, water, and cake (of course) for the kiddos. Chips and crackers with all types of dips and a veggie/fruit tray and cake (of course) for the adults.

The barnyard animal cupcakes tasted as good as they looked, and were made by Ashley’s friend, Annie. Let me know if you want to be put into direct contact with her, because wow they were amazing.

Add all 5 steps + lots of kiddos + a sunny September day, and you have a barnyard birthday bash. 🙂