Football Fever

Our family is very serious about football.

 {doesn't the look on his cute little face crack you up?!}

That's right, we're serious Ravens fans.  And we're mighty disappointed that Training Camp isn't going to be local this year.  Last season, we had a Sunday routine that included wearing our jerseys and eating lunch in front of the game since it was almost always on at 1:00.  Noah learned to say and make the hand sign for "Touchdown" and he said "Heap!" before he said "mama."  {Referring to our Tight End, Todd Heap, #86, for those of you non-Ravens-junkies}. If you ask him who our QB is, he will say, "Joe Fakko," which is close enough...coincidentally, I heard Joe got married this weekend!  Congrats, Flacco!

Anyway, all things considered, it should have come as no surprise that Noah wants a football theme for his third birthday party, which is coming up rather quickly.  His actual b'day is the 11th of August; his party will be the following Saturday, which happens to be my mom's birthday too.  I decided it's time to get planning so that I have the time to do everything the way this Artsy Mama likes to...lots of creativity, lots of handmade things.  So, I spent some time during his nap browsing around online to find ideas for things I like and may or may not try to attempt.

INVITATIONS: Aren't these the cutest things you've ever seen?  I know these are baseball, but still...how clever!  Definitely a possibility...

DECORATIONS

What a touchdown of a party setup!  This one just takes my breath away it's so amazing.  The goal post is made of painted PVC pipe.  Hubby conveniently works for a well water supply company...I'm seeing one of these in Noah's future fo' sho!  I looove the look with the decorated letters and the pennants too.  Of course, it'll all have to be black and purple!

This is from the same party shown above; I love the attention to detail with the little napkin wrappers.  Nice.

I think the pennants are really cute and would tie in if I do a pennant banner.  I saw another idea somewhere where they were smaller and were on straws, which would be cute for the kids...maybe to use at the party and then take home as a favor?  Or maybe just a favor?  Hmm...

Of course we'll have Ravens balloons, and I think this f'ball field tablecloth is a cute touch.  I do like the astroturf in the first party picture too, but I think this is more do-able.

Love love love this...it's originally for a basketball party but so easily adaptable.  Can you read the frame in the center?  "Todd's First Season Highlights."  I'm definitely seeing Noah's 3rd Season highlights displayed somewhere.  Now I just need some matching frames; black, of course.

FOOD

This idea is actually from a black and purple New Year's party, but it works perfectly with our color scheme.  I love the purple dipped pretzels, and the M&Ms are cool too...can you get them this time of year?

Our good friend Clem has already volunteered for cake duty, and I can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve.  I didn't even really browse for cake ideas because I know whatever she comes up with will be fantastic.  How do I know?  Take a look at this Thomas cake she made for last year's party.  Yeah.  That's what I'm talking about.  She hand made his face out of fondant.  That's my Clem.

Meanwhile, I did find these football chocolate covered strawberries...mmmmmmmm!  Noah hates chocolate, but hey, that doesn't mean the rest of us have to suffer, right?  Clem, if you're reading this...hint hint!

Before I go on, I want to give a big shout-out to Kara's Party Ideas, which was a major source of my inspiration.  She has ideas for almost any party theme you can think of; some are hers and some are contributed by others, but her collection is easy to navigate and has great photos.

As for favors, I already have something up my sleeve.  I don't want to reveal it here because too many of our potential party guests are readers, {and because it very possibly violates some copyright things...but all in the name of fun}.  Anyway, I will say that it has to do with a photo, which led to this photo shoot this afternoon.

I. heart. this. kid.