Birthday Girl

Let's get it started...

We celebrated Violet's second birthday in style this weekend. While she won't officially turn two until Wednesday, the luxury of a long weekend to recover from the festivities was too good to pass up. And let me tell you, when you plan a doughnut and jammies party that starts at 10:30 a.m., you'd better have a long weekend to recover, because you'll be racing around like mad the night before trying to get everything in place!

Craft time!

We kicked off the party with the craft (don't ask me why I decided to do a craft, much less one involving paint... it must be the first grade teacher in me) and it actually turned out great! Moms were on  hand to help the little ones, but the boys took charge themselves, decorating and stuffing their own pillow. My theory is, if you're going to bother doing a craft, it might as well be something useful and not just crap that will get thrown away as soon as the kid arrives home. Hopefully the pillows will be a cute little reminder of Violet's big day. These pillows were 12x12 (not too big), zipped closed (easy access) and had a photo pocket on front (the photo we used was a thank you from Violet).

Pillow in progress.

 After crafts, we ate from a menu that included rainbow fruit skewers, mini muffins, sugared bacon and teddy grahams. There was plenty of juice for the kids and mimosas for the adults. We took a quick break to open presents. The theme of the day seemed to be Minnie Mouse and all things paint and art - finger paints, bathtub crayons, coloring books, the works. I can't wait to get a chance to play with it all! Then it was cake time.

Singing Happy Birthday.

This was my favorite moment of the day. All morning long Violet was running around, playing with the friends, tearing into her presents, but the minute we started singing Happy Birthday, it was as though she finally realized the whole day was all about her. With the spotlight shining on her, my sweet girl turned shy. You could tell she was amazed that the whole room was singing to her.

She's two!

For the record, doughnut cakes are genius. I never realized it until we had one ourselves. Other than the necessary early morning pick-up, they are perfect. No one argues about who gets the bigger slice. There's less messy icing to deal with. Everyone loves them. It was perfect.

Besties.

Going for it.

Violet and her two best friends from school. You should have seen the attempts we moms made to get a picture where they were all smiling. This was the best I could do. Such sweeties! I loved seeing them playing with each other.

And the whole party was over in time to send everyone home for lunch and a much needed nap. Well, my own child refused the nap, but what can you do? She's a big girl now!

The party was great, compliments abounded, and I have to give credit where it's due. I had so much help from everyone to make the day special. The grandmas did the heavy lifting when it came to food, 90 percent of the decorations came from my neighbors, Matt fetched and poured and took pictures like a pro backstage manager, and it all came together seamlessly. So thanks everyone!

Thank you for coming! Love, Violet