Cowboy party - 3rd birthday  I bought antique letterhead and typed out the invitations in a western-looking font. They read:  There's a new sheriff in town and he's about to turn three So come on lil' doggies, we're gonna have a western party! When the big hand strikes four, the hoe-down will begin With great prizes for the cowboys and girls to win So jump on your horse and head out our way We'll eat cake and cowboy grub on bails of hay!!  I then burned the edges to give them that authentic western look. I decorated our home with red and white checkered tablecloths, a full-size cowboy man from a local party store, draped rope around the patio, cowboy boots at the back door, etc...  I had old lanterns on the table outside and bails of hay for extra seating.  And old washtub made the perfect holder to ice down the kids' drinks (root beer & Kool-Aid bursts). My Mom made a cake that was a bull's head. The horns were yellow cake with cream cheese icing and the head was chocolate icing with cream cheese icing with brown food coloring. For food, I had hot dogs for the kids and brisket, baked beans and potato salad for the adults.   My husband made a "riding bull" from a plastic barrel that he painted white with brown spots.  He placed a sample piece of tan carpet on it's back so the kids could ride it.  He drilled holes front and back for the rope to install it on our swing set. The ropes also acted as the reigns to hold on and control it.  He took 2 wire hangers and formed them until the looked like horns.  Next he wrapped the hanger with newspaper, taped them, then spray-painted them white with brown tips. Another wire hanger was used in the same manner but for the tail.  He used an old white dishrag and frayed it to look like a tail. The party was 2 months ago and riding bull is still up!  Everyone loves to ride it.  The main event of the party was a miniature pony to ride.  As the kids left the party, they were each given a red bandana tied with rope for a goody bag.  Each contained a wiggle snake, bubble gum, candy, cowboys and Indians, a sheriff's badge and a cowboy frame that Mom found at the dollar store. I took pictures of each kid on the pony to send later to put in their frame. It was the best party we've had yet.