Happy 2nd Birthday!!!

Two years ago, this past 13th, Beau and I were blessed with a wonderful little girl. It's hard to believe that two years have gone by already. It's a complete understatement when people say that "time flies." 

Saturday we celebrated Gabriella's 2nd birthday with a "small" party. Small ended up being 40 adults and children plus the neighborhood kids, bringing the total to 46. In typical fashion I "had" to do everything from scratch and plain old decorations, food, cupcakes, and favors, just weren't going to cut it. In total I spent 2 weeks planning and organizing the party.  

The day was perfect. We couldn't have asked for better weather. All week there was a 60% chance that we were going to have thunderstorms all day, but at the last moment the rain chances dwindled and instead we got partly cloudy with gusty winds. The bounce house that we rented was a HIT!!! All the kids really enjoyed it. They were all so excited it was difficult to get most of them to eat anything. 

Gabriella had a fabulous time with all of her little friends. We have such a great group of friends and are honored that so many of them came out to share this special day with us. 

Getting a little pre-party jumping in before her nap

                                      

One of the party favors that I made.

I piped out 52 candy butterflies for the cupcakes

centerpieces that I made for the table outside

Inside

cupcakes all iced and decorated

My rows and rows of beautiful butterflies

Happy Family celebrating a 2nd birthday

Gabriella's good buddy Nevan

Gabriella sharing chips with William. 

Enjoying the afternoon in the bounce house

Gabriella's friend Katherine

puckering up for a kiss from dad

Gabe

All the kids enjoying the bounce house

Jax

Theo jumping in the bounce house. The boy gets some serious air.

Jax

Gabriella with her buddy Theo

Singing Happy Birthday and blowing out her candles

Enjoying her cupcake

Greg enjoying his cupcake

Nevan blowing his bubbles from the party favors

                                      

Gabe was totally upset when it was time to go home!!!

Gabriella and Jamie

Riding her tricycle that Daniella sent her

Making sure that she picks up every last lollipop that she can get her hands on 

I made each child a personalized pail that I filled with goodies. There was candy, toys, play-dough, bubbles, and I also sewed two bean bags for each child that I attached a piece of chalk to (for hop scotch). Then I got to work on the centerpieces for the tables. For the outside table I found some cute little potted wire "Easter" trees. I hot glued flowers to them and then glittered "grass" to the pot and attached them to some wood pedestals. Then I hand painted a glass vase with a clover pattern to match the table cloths(you can see it in the picture of the favors). The candy butterflies were the last thing I did. I sat and piped out 52 candy butterflies.

I can't wait to start planning next years birthday :)