Last week we celebrated Knox Chandler’s 2nd birthday with a Polar Express birthday party. He is so into ‘choo-choos’, and especially so after introducing him this Christmas to The Polar Express. Every train we see is now “Pow-lar.” It felt like a no-brainer to choose this as the theme for his big day. I had so much fun imagining a magical space for the kids to walk into and feel like they were in a Christmas wonderland.

Because Knox’s birthday is just before Christmas, we are trying to be incredibly intentional about making his birthday a separate event each year. But, at the same time, it IS right before Christmas so making sure we don’t over splurge is also a major factor. This party was simple, fun, and I spent less than $200 on food/decor/etc.

I laid a choo-choo track for the kids to follow into the living room with white washy tape from Amazon.

I purchased this 12 ft DIY Balloon Arch from Lushra, and was really impressed. (I bought a balloon inflater as well from Amazon.) It took me less than an hour to make this! I did have a VERY difficult time hanging it, so we had to do it as a wall piece rather than an arch, but I was still really impressed. Next time I will need a little more direction from them on how to place the balloons so it’s hangable.

A simple hot cocoa and popcorn bar was a hit for our crowd! I filled Thermos Canisters with pre-made cocoa, and had 3 different types of pop corn for everybody to create their bowls with for the movie. I had a lot of fun laying out this treat board!

Y’all… This “cake” was a HIT. I bought the famed Costco cinnamon rolls ($6.50 for this huge pack!!!) and used it for my cake base. I heated them up accordingly, following the directions on the package. Then, I took cream cheese frosting and spread it out like a true cake. YOU GUYS. It was so good. I wanted something simple, because I knew there were so many other treats to pick from for the night. I was scared people wouldn’t eat it, as so often cake goes at a party. I didn’t want to pour a lot of time or money into the cake because of that. But, it was GONE by the end of the night, and not without a whole bunch of compliments. Shoot, now I am revealing my secrets about how stupid easy it was… 😉

For the living room, I laid out blankets and pallets for the kids, Knox’s play tent, and pillows. The kids came ready for the movie in their pajamas and on theme for The Polar Express. I will say… the movie was a bit of a suggestion. I would probably do the order differently in the future, but it was still a blast. The kids were just so riled up on treats and from opening gifts beforehand that when it was time to watch the movie, they just all wanted to play with Knox’s new toys (Which I don’t blame them! He got some SWEET gifts from our friends!!).

My favorite thing in the world is creating an environment for people to enjoy. I love planning parties and finding ways to make my home a special, inviting space for our friends and family to come to. Our home was certainly packed full with our favorite people, celebrating our favorite little boy. I am forever thankful for the people God placed in our lives over the last 4 years and the friendships that truly are like family. I couldn’t do this and wouldn’t be the mommy I am to Knox without every single person that was under our roof that night. Proverbs 18:24 says “Friends come and go, but a true friend sticks by your side like family.” We are so grateful to have people around us that fit the latter part of this scripture. Seasons of life are so unpredictable. But, the people who will walk through them with us are not. And for that, I praise God.

And just like that, my baby is a toddler. It makes my insides ache, but I also couldn’t be more proud of the kid he is growing into. Being Knox’s mom has been the best adventure I have ever gone on. He is sweet, gentle, thoughtful, obedient, silly (so silly!), strong-willed, and tender. It’s funny, the first birthday is so sentimental and reminiscent. A celebration of “we made it a year without dying.” But this one, it’s sweet in such a different way, because it’s actually celebrating a little boy with a growing personality. For weeks we have been working up to K’s Polar Express birthday party, asking him if he’s excited and who he wants to see. And he ACTUALLY has friends he says. Ugh, it’s so fun. I love being his mommy.

This morning, as Paul and I sat anxiously waiting for him to wake up so we could give him his gift, scrolling through old photos and videos of baby Knox, I had this overwhelming realization. Here we are, pouring tons of effort and excitement into making this one day as special as possible for our son. We love him so much that we want every single little detail to feel exciting and special for today. Of course, we want him to feel special and loved every day of the year, but a birthday just is different. We got his favorite foods and invited his best friends over to celebrate him. I meticulously laid a tape choo choo track on our wood floors from the door to the living room, and we bought him an electric vintage Bronco. And it was on the couch this morning that I realized, giddy and heart racing with excitement for him to start rustling in his crib, that this is exactly how the Lord feels about us every single day. He has gifts, new mercies, and intentionally laid out opportunities for us to see Him and know Him more every day. To experience just how much He loves us and all simply because He DOES. Every breath we take is an intentional, thought out gift from our Creator. He gets giddy as we rise in the morning thinking, “Look at all the great things I have laid out for them today!”

WOW.

It’s truly incredible how I feel I learn more and more about God’s character through my son. Whether it’s his pure joy and love for people that I want to be more like, or the way he pulls out in me a glimpse of the same kind of love our Father has for us. Motherhood has rocked my world. It’s made my eyes a little darker, the creases on the sides a little deeper. It’s tested my patience and made me a little crazy at times. But it’s also made me happier than I ever thought possible. The lack of sleep, the nagging “mama” as I try to ignore being asked for the same snack 300 times in a row, the kid on the bathroom floor while I just try to pee in peace… it’s all worth it. Every bit of it. My heart has been morphed into a reflection more like Christ’s all because of a little toe-head boy with a crooked, toothy grin over the last two years. I may lay my head on my pillow at night exhausted and ready for sleep, yet I also find myself scrolling through videos and aching for him to be awake again. Isn’t it funny?

Knox Chandler, you will change the world. Here’s to your third year of life and making it special. Thanks for showing me Jesus every day.

xoxo, Mom

Also, y’all… This Vintage Bronco is the BEST GIFT. I honestly can’t believe the price, especially after seeing this thing in person. It’s huge and has so many amazing details. Knox played on it all morning and I can’t wait for walks in the neighborhood with it.