Lifestyles

Drake Padgett celebrates his second birthday

Anderson Drake Padgett celebrated birthday number two on his birthday, June 9, 2012, at Uncle Ken and Aunt Charlotte’s pool and party barn.  A nautical theme was used for this special occasion.
The double doors of the barn were marked with “Welcome Ahoy” signs and life preservers. Nautical trivia decorated the tables on the porch for those who enjoyed the rocking chairs and the rain.  Yes, the rain added to the theme. Ships cannot sail and kids cannot swim without water.
Although the clouds were heavy, Drake’s friends did enjoy a brief swim before having to go inside.  A sumptuous buffet was awaiting them. The buffet was decorated with burlap, netting, crab, lanterns, and a large sailboat.  Tall flags extended from mason jars filled with beach sand and tied with jute. The flatware was wrapped in red napkins and tied with jute and a white mint lifesaver.  A variety of Drake’s favorite foods were served in buckets and pots.
A separate table was decorated for serving drinks. Guests could choose from a red slush punch, tea, lemonade or bottled water. The water bottles were wrapped with nautical stickers acknowledging Drake’s second birthday. Special cups had been decorated with white anchors. An old-fashioned water bucket and dipper sitting on top of a wooden Coca Cola crate were used to serve the punch. A blue anchor marked the bucket. Lighthouses and a container with striped straws with flags noting Drake’s birthday were nestled in red-checked gingham and burlap. A long jute string joined several blue and white anchor cutouts and was draped across the skirt of the red tablecloth.
A third table was decorated for the birthday boy’s special cake and cupcakes. A birthday banner on the wall behind the table was made by his mom, as well as all of the other creative decorations. A variety of cupcake flavors iced in red butter cream icing and marked by miniature red and white flags rested on a three-tier display stand. A large #2 cutout stood in front of the cupcake stand. Drake had a special cake of his own. It was iced in red, and a white rope draped across the top and down the side. A blue anchor and two blue candles rested on top. Drake’s name was on the side in white block font. Burlap was bunched across the table and starfish and mason jars filled with sand and tied with jute held a variety of flags. An additional jute string with anchor cutouts was draped across the front of the table to compliment the one on the front of the beverage table. Small red and white striped cups held powdered doughnuts symbolizing life preservers for the guests to enjoy along with their cupcakes.
Drake and his friends had a special table. It was draped with a navy cloth and accented with neutral fish netting. Lanterns served as centerpieces. “AHOY” coloring sheets and crayons in small red buckets provided an activity for Drake and his guests while moms were busy preparing plates. All other tables for guests were similarly decorated with red and navy covers, burlap runners, red and white gingham accent pieces, lanterns, lifesaver mints, crabs, lighthouses, sailboats, and jars of flags.
After Drake and his friends finished eating birthday goodies, his mom assisted him in opening his many gifts. Then as the guests departed they were invited to pick up a variety of gifts fashioned by his mom. Among the gifts were red and white striped fans with a blue anchor and a “D” in the center. The fans filled a wagon made from a Pepsi Cola crate. Other gifts were sailor hats made from newspapers marked with red, white and blue stickers worded with “Anchors Aweigh” and binoculars made from tissue rollers and wrapped with a ship helm and tied with jute. Also, favor bags filled a navy blue straw basket, and a red-framed sign invited the little sailors to take one. A red, white, and blue star quilt, made by Drake’s paternal great grandmother for his dad’s first birthday, served as a backdrop for the gift table.
Drake ended his party fun by catching a few raindrops while standing on the edge of the porch. Finally, he could not resist stepping out into the rain and soaking his birthday clothes (red shirt with a striped anchor and name appliquéd on the front).
Drake is the son of Kyle and Anna Padgett. Annsley and Avery Padgett are his sister and brother. His grandparents are Kim and Melody Anderson, Angie and Phillip Crowell, and Jack and Sylvia Padgett.