Made ~ Lightning McQueen Birthday Party

My son Asher turned three this year.  Even at his young age, Asher knows what he wants.  He told me three to four months before his birthday that he wanted a Lightning McQueen birthday party.  Of course, I had to oblige.

This year I skimped on the invitations and just bought a pack from Target.  (See me hang my head in shame.)  As far as the decorations and food, I put a little more effort into it. I lined our driveway with orange safety cones I borrowed from my work.  A bunting of checkered flags made from black and white checked cloth backed with white felt hung from our front porch.  And two checkered flags hung on the front door.  Unfortunately, I only took photos of the front door.

Inside, a smaller bunting of checkered flags with the number 3 hung over the entry to the party area and images from the Cars movie decorated one wall.

The menu consisted of cupcakes, Grem's Goldfish, Sally's Spinach Dip, Luigi's Pizza Dip, Francesco's Franks, and Sarge's Surplus of Sweets which featured Ramone's Pinstripes, Mack's M&Ms, Doc Hudson's Dipsticks and Sheriff's Stoplight Bars.  I had intended to have Chick Hick's Chicken Nuggets and Mater's Tater Salad but ran out of time.  Oh well.  The fuel station offered Flo's Motor Oil (sodas), Fillmore's Organic Fuel (apple juice and fruit punch) and the King's Coolant (bottled water).  The organic fuel and coolant were dressed up with checkered flag duct tape.

Instead of a large sheetcake, my son requested a Lightning McQueen cupcake.  To say Asher LOVES cupcakes is an understatement.  So after seeing the cupcake version of Mater created by Bakerella, I created my own version of Lightning McQueen in cupcake form. It was a hit as you can tell.  (I also made Asher's t-shirt with a graphic I purchased off of Etsy.)

For favors, I found the little bags at Target's Dollar Spot at Halloween, three for a dollar.  I had planned on created treat bags for my son's preschool class but ran out of time. I'm so glad that happened because I was able to make some cute party favor bags with them. 

I attached some Cars themed ribbon I found at Wal-Mart. 

Then I filled the bags with Cars themed toys from Dollar Tree (i.e., tops, crayons, little Piston Cups).

Over all I think the party was a success.  Thanks for looking!