T-W-O

I have had many requests to recap and add a little bit of detail to Everett’s 2nd birthday celebration held a few weeks back and I am happy to oblige.  So, without further ado, here are some snippets from our day-o-fun (I didn’t get as many pics as usual, it’s hard to be the hostess and photographer!).
We actually had E’s birthday party about a week and a half before his actual birthday.  Our family from Wisconsin was in town and we were excited to share the day with them.  We also decided to have his party mid-afternoon on a Sunday vs. Saturday.  I know our Saturdays are usually booked for months in advance and with the great turnout, it seemed that Sunday worked best for most of our guests.




Invitation:  Evite all the way baby!  I sent “real” invitations last year for his 1st birthday, but I must say, by using Evite this year it was MUCH easier keeping track of RSVPs and updating guests as things changed (we had to change the venue a few weeks before the party after the initial round of evites went out).  Evite also sends reminders a few days in advance…score!



Date/Time:  January 25, 2015 (his actual birthday is Feb. 4) from 2-4 pm.
Location:  Community Playground Pavilion at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park in Winter Park.

We opted for the half day reservation which ran us about $60, but I think it was well worth it.  The setting is beautiful, the tables are in great shape, it’s covered and it is right next to one of the best playgrounds in the area.  We were loving the location (see below).

The concrete floor was very inviting for sidewalk chalk and very forgiving to dropped hotdogs and cupcakes.

Menu:

Carrots and Hummus

Hot Dogs

Gransie’s Homemade Potato Salad

Baked Beans

Chips

Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate or Vanilla Icing

*Milk, Juice, Animal Crackers, Applesauce Squeezers and Cheese sticks were also available for the kiddos.

Decorations:
Target: Plates, Plastic Cutlery, brown mailing paper roll (used for tablecloth) Gingham Cupcake Liners, Multi-colored balloons*, No. 2 Candle, Play Doh (party favors)
IKEA:  Napkins
Dollar Tree: Cups, Bubbles, Metal Containers, Markers, Sidewalk Chalk, Happy Birthday star balloons.
Amazon: Silver No. 2 Balloon*
*I had the balloons blown up at Publix.  They charge $1 per balloon if you bring your own.



In total we had about 18 adults and 7 kiddos.  It was a super relaxed feel with sidewalk chalk, bubbles, markers w/ paper table covers, and play-doh for the kids to play with during the party.  Not to mention the AWESOME playground right next to the pavilion.  Mike brought his small gas camping grill so we didn’t have to deal with charcoal and we had hot hotdogs in a matter of minutes once everybody showed up.
E had a great time (despite a double ear infection) and we are thankful to all of our friends and family that celebrated with us!

What a difference a year makes!