Jake's 2nd birthday party

Ok, let's talk about something happy: Jake's birthday.

I never had a lot of real birthday parties growing up, and my mom is SO not social, so I don't really know how to throw a party. Coordinating my piano student's recitals every year about kills me. But I really wanted Jake to have a nice party, so I tried my best.

Jake and I spent most of the day Saturday the 4th shopping for his party -- we went to Party City and I settled on a Sesame Street theme, because it's all about Sesame Street at our house anyway, and most toddlers at least know and appreciate the characters, even if they're not die-hard fans like us. 

Party City is a VERY interesting place, and when we went down the party favors aisle, some plastic bugs got Jake's attention, so I got him a grasshopper and a ladybug, 50 cents each, which he is STILL thrilled with.

Then we went to Target and I pretty much spoiled him -- bought him 3 "The Dog" t-shirts, bought him a new toy puppy, got him a new pair of tennis shoes with Elmo on them (does anyone else have a child who was already in 9's at age 2? What is up with this kid?) [each picture will open up bigger if you click on it]. 

Anyway, I invited a LOT of people, and thankfully only 1/2 of them came. I started realizing just how limited our space was, and even with 8 kids and 5 adults, it was almost too many. But I didn't want to leave anyone out!

Sadie, Celia, Mia, Evie, Walden, and Ella (and their parents) from church all couldn't come for one reason or another.  Oh, and the other Ella, Leslie's daughter, couldn't come either. They thought Disneyworld was more important than Jake's birthday. Whatever, Leslie. ha ha.

So our attendees were Cara and her 3 kids: Liah, Dylan, and Jay, and then Priscilla and Elauna, Ryan and his sister Meghan and their mom Jennifer, and Zoe and Kristina. (what's scary, is if you read my blog, you know who everyone of these people are.) My dad is in Alaska visiting my older sister, Kathy had to work, and Lou was sleeping because he had to work all weekend.

The kids played outside in my mom's beautiful backyard and on her porch. They played bubbles, played on the swing set, and played with Jake's new basketball hoop (thanks, Kathy!)  It was pretty hot so they all had red-cheeks and were getting over-heated. The whole time they were running in and out of the house to get snacks or deciding to play with the toys in the living room or whatever.

Finally we decided we were all coming inside for the rest of the party because it was just too dang hot.  Trying to give the little kids cupcakes was quite the experience. They basically just made a huge mess, and I don't think any of them ate the cute little ducky sugar shapes I'd put on the top.

Jake didn't want to have anything to do with the cupcakes. (How does my child not like cake? He wouldn't eat cake at his 1st birthday, either.) He opened his presents and was excited to get a blocks train from Cara, a church shirt and some books from Ryan, and a Leapfrog Alphabet caterpiller toy from Zoe.

  Getting all my different friends together in one room was so interesting. Zoe had a complete crush on Dylan. The way she looked at him was just so cute. She and Elauna played nearby each other and each thought the other was interesting.

Liah and Meghan became fast friends, both being the only older kids there.  It was sweet to see them play together (and continually find trouble.)

I don't think Jake was even aware that it was his birthday, just that there were a lot more people than usual hanging out at Nana's house. Both Cara and Priscilla told me that they thought all my friends were nice, and that's always good to hear. :o) 

The best part of the day was seeing Cara again. She got there early so she and I could spend a little time together. Jay, as usual, was a doll-baby the entire time. Dylan preferred to mostly play by himself with Jake's castle (the kid loves horses.) Liah likes to be in the middle of everything and is so social and outgoing.

I feel like Cara and I didn't get to spend much quality time together because I was so rushed getting ready for the party and then trying to take pictures and make sure everyone was having fun and not getting into things.  It was a pretty stressful day for me! But hopefully she and I will have a chance to get together again soon and just sit around and talk. Cara, you rock, girl!!!

So there's the long but condensed story. Happy 2nd birthday, Jake-man!!!

Comments

[Kelly]

Fun pics! It was fun to read about it, wish I could have been there!

[Leslie]

It sounds lie a fun day!! I am sorry we couldn't be there but we want to get together soon and celebrate (but I will have to make a dessert other then cake for Jake. What is up with that?? Cake=good :)

[Sue]

I loved reading all about Jake's party and the pics are so sweet. I just love that one of Zoe staring lovingly at Dylan :) And the pic of Jake with choccie all over his face, dear little man.

That is some awesome play equipment in your mom's yard! Ryan would never come inside if we had something like that :)