For our daughter's 2nd birthday, we had a barnyard bash in our backyard.   The month was October. . so perfect for the Fall.    Our invitations was a cute picture of barn and animals and we printed the info in the center. . . Easy and cute. . . The wording went like this: Pigs say oink oink oink. . .Cows say moo moo moo. . . Lindsay is celebrating her 2nd birthday and inviting you you you!!! And, then the info for the party. . .neighs only for rsvp.  We decorated the front of our house with bales of straw, pumpkins and scarecrows.  We even had planted pumpkins and sunflowers so that they were growing at the front and side of the house.  We used several signs saying Famers Market. . . Welcome to the Garden. . . etc.  When each little guest arrived, they received a red neckerchief and cowboy hat. We then took their picture sitting on the straw bales. As the guests were arriving, the ponies were also getting set up. The little ones would ride the pony from the front yard to the back through the side gate. . . .Upon arriving in our backyard, it was decorated with a playhouse barn with again, bales of straw and also spread on the ground.   Again, more scarecrows, pumpkins and baskets of vegtables. We also enlarged pictures of barnyard animals and printed on the computer.  I printed them on card stock and then taped together. . . .and mounted on dowels.   They were stuck in the bales and looked very cute!!   Also, behind the bales we had set up some picket fence with hats, ropes and signs hanging down. . Really added to the barnyard feel. The food tables were covered in gingham cloths with buckets of sunflowers on the tables. We also had an area with a steer's head in straw and the kids could rope it.  Some of the older kids loved this. Some of the other games we played were herd the pigs (pink balloons with magic marker faces and ribbon tails. . .on the ground and the kids hit the balloons with flyswatters into the pen!!   So funny!!) Also, I had hid small farm animals in the loose straw and gave the children little metal buckets and they found the animals.  The 2-4 year olds loved this!!  I also had a few small tables set up with baskets of books and puzzles and even a barn set (all farm related) for the kids to play with. Another big hit for the little ones. And, on going pony rides for all!!  We served a picnic lunch on metal pie plates and gingham napkins.   We served ready  made sandwiches from Port of Subs with all the farm fresh picnic sides. . . watermelon slices, dill pickles, potato salad, chips, apple juice boxes and milk jugs (chocolate and white)  The beverages were put in big metal galvanized tubs!!  Our cake was store bought with a scene of blue sky, bright sun and only green grass.  We decorated with Fisher Price Little People farm animals and friends. . . Very cute!! And, then my daughter got to enjoy the little sets later too. Our goodie bags were simple and age appropriate. . . I found some gingham printed brown paper bags with straw handles. . . filled barn stickers, red vines, jolly rancher candies, a barnyard stuffed animal and a tin metal star ornament on the outside.  They were sweet!! Perfect for the under 3 set!!  We had a wonderful party. . it was great fun to turn our backyard into a barnyard!!!