As my little Leo races towards his second birthday, we’re shifting gears and throwing a "Too Fast Too Furious" themed party that promises loads of fun—without breaking the bank!

Each year, I dive into planning with a simple promise: nothing too crazy. Yet, here I am, a month deep, crafting every single detail. This year, we’re rolling out an upgrade on last year’s DIY extravaganza (check out my four-part series on Leo’s first birthday if you haven’t yet—it was a blast!).

Leo is absolutely obsessed with anything on wheels, making this theme a winner for his developing personality, which is cruising at full speed from toddler to little boy with tastes and interests of his own.

First up on our project list? Building miniature roads. I snagged some black poster boards (five per pack—what a deal!), sketched out a wavy road design about ten inches wide, and got cutting. I’m using these pieces as templates to create a network of playful roads along our fence, just at Leo’s height. Kids will be surrounded by these DIY roads as they zoom around—how cool is that?

Decoration is key in setting the vibe, and I'm all about those crafty details. Using just some white tape, I added road markings—a simple yet effective touch. For the dining table, I crafted smaller roads from leftover pieces to create a cute tablescape complete with tiny cars and little scenic touches like plants and flowers.

I found the perfect fry container templates on Etsy, scaled down to tot-size for easy munching. We’re ditching popcorn (hello, choking hazard) in favor of something more toddler-friendly. And, oh! The decor doesn’t stop at food. I've got cones to line up on the grass, transforming our backyard into a mini race track. With some flags for flair and adorable popcorn boxes doubling as favor bags, the setting is nearly complete.

The showstopper? Homemade box cars! Crafting these with Mama Quake by my side, we added wings and windshields, painting them to perfection. Each piece got a custom vinyl decal thanks to my trusty Cricut—less mess, more magic. These cars aren’t just cute; they're wearable with suspenders, ensuring every tiny guest gets to drive into the fun zone.

We're just at the starting line, folks. This party prep journey is just the beginning, and I’m so excited to share each step with you. Subscribe and stay tuned as we put the pedal to the metal for Leo's big day!

Stay crafty, stay creative, and let’s make this birthday one for the books!