Andrew's 2nd Birthday Party

On Saturday we had Andrew's birthday party.  It was nothing over the top. There were no pinterest inspired crafts or desserts - just a little Easter egg hunt, a jump castle, homemade cupcakes and some delicious smoked bbq for lunch.

We kept the party small this year, just family and two close friends.  I figured it was a holiday weekend and most people would have plans and this is probably the last year that we can get away with something small and simple without him noticing.

Before anyone got there I spread the Easter eggs out in the back yard - some more hidden than others.  We blew up some balloons and I tied them in bunches around the fence and on the back deck.  We set up the jump castle, dragged out some lawn chairs, set up some food, and prepared for my family to show up.

They were late (of course).  When they got there I was changing Andrew.  As soon as I was done I told him to get the card for grandma.  He didn't listen so I went and got it.  When my mom opened it and saw the pictures she smiled. When she read what I wrote inside (Your gift will be here at the end of August) she gave me a big hug and said she had hoped that this would be coming.  She showed the pictures and the card to my dad and he had his customary reaction - "Cool!". My oldest sister congratulated me and my other sister (the one who freaked the eff out about Andrew's name) didn't really say much. I noticed her looking a little sad at one point and I assume it's because her younger sister is now having her second child and she is still single with no family of her own.  I'm not going to let that get to me.  So anyway,  the whole reveal was nothing to get worked up over and now I'm just glad that everyone knows.

We headed outside for the Easter egg hunt. The girls were all about it and went crazy running around gathering up the eggs.  Andrew? Not so much.  I had to entice him over to the corner where I had some stuck in the palm tree and get him to take them and put them in his bucket. Oh well.  After the eggs were all found we let them get in the jump castle and they were having a blast.

Kayleigh finding some eggs

Loving the Jump castle

Until the power went off and the jump castle started to deflate with the kids inside.  It was actually hilarious - I wish I'd gotten a video of the girls shrieking when it was going down.  J got everything back up and running and we were in business.  The kids played and had a great time.

Deflated jump castle  :)

After a while we went inside and got something to eat.  The bbq was delicious and everyone got plenty of food.  When it was time for the cupcakes Andrew still wasn't really sure to do about the candle.  I was trying to get him to blow it out, but he just kept saying "Hot!" and looking at me.  Finally I just blew it out and let him eat the cupcake.

Then it was time for presents.  He still isn't overly interested in opening gifts so his cousins helped him out by "starting" each gift.  We had to finish most of them for him.  

He got some books, an aquadoodle, some flashlight toy (that makes noise), a kiddie hockey stick (padded) with a ball and padded puck, a Steelers Mickey Mouse, a basketball hoop, a Radio Flyer trike (also  makes noise), a little FJ Cruiser truck and some water toys.  Not a bad haul for a two year old. Thankfully most of the toys are not noisy.  He loves the basketball hoop and trike and played with each of them a lot on Saturday and Sunday.

All in all it was a successful party. The weather was perfect, the food was good, the kids had fun and I'm officially "out".  I still just really can't believe that I have a two year old. Stop growing so fast little boy!