I’m terribly behind on posting all the fun things we did in April. Tons of outdoor play, my big news, and some green endeavors but before I get to any of that … I just had to share a snippet from my Little Man’s 1st Birthday party. I called it a Little Digger party and I kept it super simple – a kiddie pool full of buckets, shovels and beans (easier to clean up indoors than sand), construction hats, super sized dump trucks and more. It was just the perfect chance for me to create the dump truck cake I’ve been dreaming of for years now. Literally … TWO YEARS! I tried to make it once before using brownies but my brownies always turn out flat and crusty and well the effect just wasn’t what I had in mind.
This time, however, I choose Devil’s Food Cake (and one butter yellow just for good measure). Followed the directions on the box and then cut it all up into cubes.
{Two Devil’s Food Cakes cut into cubes}
Taa Daa!! Coolest Boy’s Birthday Cake Ever!
I served it up in these super cute dump trucks I picked up from Target (in the pool toys aisle) for $1.99. A few cubes of cake, some Sugar Free chocolate pudding, lite whip cream and sprinkles = A BIG HIT!
I stuck some pinwheels and cute candles in the mix that I snagged from the Dollar store.
PARTY TOTAL: UNDER $40
The most expensive part of the party was the beans (I bought over 22 lbs of them). If I did it again I would probably just buy a bag or two of sand (I heard they are $3 at Walmart) and put the kiddie pool outside.
BEANS – $22
Buckets, Shovels and Construction Hats – $5 (Target Dollar Store & Goodwill)
Mini Dump Trucks – $6 for 3
Dump Truck Cake – $3.75 (Borrowed the Dump Truck from Big Brother)
Little Digger approves and I’ll bet your Little Digger will too.
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for the inspiration! I love your idea and I know my son will too! I featured your idea here:
For the Love of Pinterest {Birthdays} @SimplyCottageLove
Whew, what a lot of planning you have to do this month. Glad I could be a part of it
Thanks so much for stoppng by
LOVE your dump truck cake! I’m bookmarking this for my kids party ideas and inspiration files. Looks like a super fun birthday party. BTW, I just saw your cake featured at Everyday Celebrating, yay! http://www.everydaycelebrating.com/2010/05/dump-truck-cake.html
Lisa, Thank you so much for sharing the link with me. I had no idea I was featured, what a terrific surprise. I’ve been working on taking Kids Stuff World to the next level and putting more of myself into it. It’s so gratifying when other people take notice
You’ll always have a special place in my heart, you were the very first person to ever give me a shout out for a job well done. How’s your quest for less trash going?
Thanks for linking up to Tot Tuesdays. What an easy and creative idea for a construction bday cake! I’ll be featuring you this week. Come stop by and grab a button! ☺
Hooray!! Wow, I’m really excited about this, it’s taken me far too long to work up the nerve to post my own ideas & pics. You’re the first person to feature me
I can’t wait to wear your button. Thanks!
what a great idea!! i love it! i just posted a couple days ago different party themes and one of them was a
“construction theme:dig in!” this idea would go perfectly!
.-= Natalie´s last blog ..Day in the Life: favorite bargains, blogs, recipes, style tips & mommy moments =-.
What an awesome idea! I MUST convince my youngest that he has to have a dump truck party!
Came to your site through lovely blog hopping.
I LOVE the fact that you served up portions of this cake in individual dump trucks.
I have three boys and have yet to do a construction themed bday. I have gotten to do some other fun boy parties, but never that. This is definitely going on my list.
I would love it if you stopped by my site sometime and perused my bday parties and other fun kid stuff. It is all about the kids, right…well most the time!
Larissa
What a great idea! My little one would LOVE this…
We have a Friday Fun Finds linky party… we’d love it if you’d link to this.
.-= kirstin´s last blog ..friday fun finds: this weeks features! =-.
Seriously, what little boy wouldn’t love this?!?
Thanks for linking up with What are little boys made of?
Kim,
So glad I found you!
I have two boys and a girl. Thank You for hosting your boys & girls series each week. I’ve been looking forward to scouring your archives all week
What a funny idea!! I am sure he adored it!!
.-= MessyMissy´s last blog ..Straw Floral Wreath Repurpose =-.
Oh did he – and his brother and sister too. Of course, we’re still finding beans hidden all over the house (from the kiddie pool)
That would be my nephews dream come true. He eats sleeps and dreams dump trucks ans tractors. Thanks for sharing you incredible idea. I am going to pass it on to my brother.
Let me know if they end up doing it
I’d be happy to do a few outfits for you, if you’re interested
Looks yummy! And successful! Great job.
I would love it if you checked out my site for a CSN give away! Have a wonderful day! alittleknickknack.blogspot.com
Done!! What a cool giveaway, let me know which one you pick
The dump truck cake is ADORABLE! I’m sure everyone got a kick out of it!
Happy birthday to the little man too!
.-= Melissa (@adventuroo)´s last blog ..Saturdays at Saxapahaw- Sax-a-what? =-.
Just left you the most obnoxiously long comment EVER!! Hope you don’t hold it against me
LOVE IT!!! This is my first time to your blog, I came from the link up at My Delicious Ambiguity.
KJ, I’m so glad you clicked over from My D A. I stopped by your site too and became your newest subscriber. I can already tell I’m going to learn a ton from you
I’m still drooling over you rainbow treat http://thissweetlifeofours.blogspot.com/2010/05/taste-of-rainbow.html
I love this beyond words!!!!!!!!!!!! What amazing and DELIGHTFUL memories your kiddos will have… seriously TERRIFIC!!!!!!!!!
I was just thinking the EXACT same thing after reading your random acts of kindness post. http://katherinemariephotography.com/blog/archives/5795 I can’t wait to try a similar version with my kiddos.
I’m impressed with your creativity! Too bad my boys are too old for construction cakes now.
.-= Michelle Breum´s last blog ..Magnetic Letters Can Be Organized And Used To Teach Reading =-.
Michelle, It had more to do with my severe lack of baking skills more than my abundance of creativity
I have never made a decent looking cake (until now) but I think I’ve found a way for no one to notice.
Great idea! Love the simplicity. I’ll have to remember this about 13 months from now! Thanks for sharing with Made it Monday! Jules
.-= Jules´s last blog ..Made it Monday 5.3.10 =-.
I think this is great!
Susan
http://entertainexchange.blogspot.com
http://www.crashthisparty.com
.-= Entertain Exchange´s last blog ..Around The World Party =-.
That is so stinkin’ cute! I made a construction cake for my son’s birthday, but I am in love with this idea! Maybe I’ll have to do this for my youngest next year…
Boys parties are so much fun cause they’re just meant to be messy, don’t you think? (Funny, cause my daughter is the messiest one of all)
Thats an awesome idea! Thanks for sharing!
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Glue, Goldfish, and Stickers! =-.
Yay! I’m so glad you liked it (and that I found your site so I could bookmark that incredibly cute leprechaun hat for St. Paddy’s Day next year
Thanks