Fighter Town USA: Tallon's 5th Birthday

How its been five years since my baby boy was born is beyond me. How I have only really thrown him one party for his birthday is beyond me as well. I know I know, what? Only one? Yes thats right only one, when he turned one. Let me explain. Tallon had an awesome first birthday but by his third birthday we were square in the middle of a child that had horrible maladaptive behaviors. Autism had taken a hold of him and we were just couldn’t celebrate like we wanted to. Cut to last year, he had worked so hard and overcome many of his challenges and covid hit, we had an awesome party planned and literally no one showed up, no one. But here we are a year later and a successful party behind us that I cant wait to tell you all about below; but before that I want to say how amazing my son is. He has overcome so many obstacles and has worked so hard just to be able to talk. I am often judged for the parties I have, which many consider over the top. Well to those I say: I will do anything for my boys, especially Tallon, he works daily just to be able to communicate, he deserves the world, moon and stars. Tallon you are so loved.

While surfing the web one late night, I stumbled upon the tailer for the new TOP GUN: Maverick; movie coming out this summer. I was hooked the following day I found the trailer on our family TV and had to show my husband. Well of course the kids where there, I mean are we ever alone as parents? And of course it was a hit. So we put on the OG and the boys watched what was appropriate mainly the jets scenes and Tallon was hooked. I want air plane, I heard over and over again. It was meant to be. Top Gun would be our theme.

The mood board reflected a more of a military feel. I didn’t want it to be the “chintzy” Maverick theme. The red white and blue that everyone does. I knew I wanted to incorporate elements of the movie, but make it a nod to pilots and to aviation, so that color scheme wouldn’t do. I pulled Greens, Navy, Sand with pops of chartreuse and teal because we love color. Since I had a pretty good lead time on this party I knew my first stop had to be IItsybitsypartieskc for the invite and details that I needed. She books up fast, so I recommend booking her even before you have nailed down a theme. My second stop as Castle Air Museum in Atwater. Growing up in the central valley, Castle is a staple and I knew this was the right place for the party. They met with me and we talked about my vision for his party. After reviewing my proposal and my wants for the party they where in. This was huge as it was a first for the museum to hold a party on the field in the middle of retired aircraft, the ones from the movie. WOW! DEAD!

After securing Castle Air Force Museum I felt the need for speed (I just had to lol), so I started with the table.

The table was really simple. A 8ftx4 ft DIY table that I made out of plywood and peg legs sat 10 kiddos easily (it could have fit 14). I purchased metal chairs for the kids from staples (I highly reccomend renting these, however since there arent any in my area and my little sister has a vintage rental company I knew these where an investment that she would be able to rent out) . For the table setting I chose an instrument cluster plate from Zazzle in the 9 and 7 inch along with Chartreuse and Snow OHHAPPYDAY plates in both 9 and 7 inch alternating each setting. We picked gray and chartreuse and white and black grid napkins, again alternating them for contrast. I added Sophistiplate in gold and green and gold and blue. Navy, gray, white rice cups were used for the kids. I added striped plastic reusable straws from Ellie and Pipers Halloween Drop and Modern Birch Co stir sticks for a little detail . Mini planes where added at each setting and each of the kids had their personalized pilot wings created by itsybitsypartieskc. The final touch was a runner of the most whimsical florals by Apis who out did themselves. Thier florals where also sprinkled though out the party adding the perfect amount of whimsy. I have said it before I know but these seriously are my favorite florals to date. I went on to purchase Flight Suits, Bomber Jackets, Aviators, and Dog Tags for each of the kids. Now it came down to all the personalizations. Each little came up with thier own Call Sign after which I went to Chalksdesignsbyme to make “dog tags’ for their flight suits and Itsybitsypartieskc for name plates for the lockers.

The builds where quite simple for this. Again a nod to the military, not too elaborate simplicity was key since we would be surrounded by f-14, f-16, raptors and about 50 other planes there wasn’t a need for elaborate. I had PREFLIGHT (a detail from the movie I never knew about preflight) that had lockers and a build labeled PREFLIGHT by ModernBirch who did all the signage and stir sticks for the kids along with an amazing menu for our paleta cart, more to come on that. Belas Balloons provided most of the builds as well as installing the balloons on the builds and lockers and the marquee FIVE, provided by Litletterco. The dessert and food table was combined so guest could choose from an amazing assortment of macarons by Soiree Macarons, Seasonal Charcuterie by Figandhoneylavishgrazing, Up and Out Bugerars and Fires (innout of course yet another detail by Itsybitsypartieskc) cookies by thesugarbug, cronuts and an amazing Cake by Conbesos. We also had a paleta cart by LeCarts filled with three different kids of paletas. The kids and adults where in heaven. Again florals adorned each major install completing the juxtaposition of hard and soft.

Guests first went to Preflight, got their flight suits and changed. They put their bombers on (located in their personalized locker) grabbed some aviators and where ready to Turn and Burn. The party truly took our breath away, I mean an F-16 in the background is kinda cool. Tallon and his crew where the cutest and they had a Ball. The pattern was full.

Huge Thank you to Stella Musleh for capturing all the images of this wonderful party you did an amazing job and again to all of our friendors who without them I wouldnt be able to pull this off. Love you all. If you have questions please reach out, leave a comment or find me on IG @ambusheedwithboys or at @house.of.fete. We didn’t crash and burn this time!

Vendor list below:

Concept and styling @House.of.fete

Photography @stellamuslehphotography

Venue @castleairmuseum

Florals @apisfloral

Charcuterie @figandhoneylavishgrazing

Balloons and Builds @belasballoons

Marquees @litletterco

Cake @conbesos

Cookies @thesugarbug

Signage and acrylics @modernbirchco

Macarons @soireemacarons

Paletas @le_carts

Tags @chalkdesignsbyme

Invite and accessories @itsybitsypartieskc

Garland @pearlandjane

Confetti @shopstudiopep

Plates @ohhappydaypartyshop

and @zazzle

Cutlery @sophistiplate

Food @innout