Better Late...

... than never, right?  Last weekend we celebrated my ladybug's 2nd birthday.  So, where's the "late" part come in?  Her birthday was December 18th.  Let's be honest here: Anytime in December is a terrible time to have a birthday.  Every store and mind is occupied by thoughts of Christmas... gifts, decorations, food, MONEY.  It's a joyous, but stressful time of the year.  Ladybug was due January 3rd, but since K arrived 3 weeks early, I just knew she wouldn't wait either.  I spent the weeks leading up to Christmas frantically shopping and decorating in fear that she'd come right at Christmas, and poor K would have nothing to open (and that I wouldn't be there to see it.  I can't tell you how many nights I was up late in tears convinced that I'd miss Christmas with my babe.)  My husband, my brother-in-law, my father, my nephew, and now my poor bug have all been cursed with December as their birth month.

Anway, back to the topic at hand.  We (and by we, I really mean, I) decided that I was not about to let my Bug's day be overshadowed by Christmas. So, we simply push her celebration back.  Last year we had it in the middle of January, but his year time got away from me, and before I knew it her party was planned for February 18th.  But, she's 2.  She doesn't care when her party is.  She just wants cake.  Preferably in her mouth.  So, we (and I still mean I) planned out a party to celebrate 2 years with our girl.

Photo from Birthday Express.

I found this theme at Birthday Express (some of you may know it as Celebrate Express).  Its aptly named Sweet Tweet.  Fitting, no? I generally buy my themed party products from them and have always been very happy with my experiences.  To save money, I buy only the theme products here and mix and match with solid plates, napkins, tablecloths, etc. from my local Wal-Mart or Dollar Tree.  My parties so far have stayed simple (a big factor in this is the fact that we have to rent a room for the parties), but I've been happy with them.  On to the celebration!

I used the paper plates as inspiration and stayed focused on the pink, green, and yellow colors.  I found inspiration in some pink Easter grass I came across on Oriental Trading and decided to use it to make a table runner on each of the tables.  I also bought some bulk plastic easter eggs to use in addition to the theme centerpieces, but at the last minute found some gorgeous glitter eggs at my local Dollar Store.  I probably could have made them myself if I had thought ahead, but of course, I didn't. :)

I think that next to diamonds (Okay, and chocolate), glitter might be a girl's best

friend.  At least, it might be if you're a girl who's just barely 2.

Close-up of the centerpieces.  So darling!  I've never spent this much

on premade centerpieces before, but I just couldn't help myself!



My sweet girl checking everything out.

I tend to stay simple with the food as well.  Because we have our parties from 1-4 pm, I feel it's necessary to offer a meal in addition to the snacks.  Our go-to has become meatball subs.  I buy premade meatballs and sauce and simmer them in our crock-pot til hot.  We've been very happy with Wal-Mart's italian meatballs, and I cannot tell you how much I LOVE their Great Value Brand Italian Garden Pasta sauce.  Seriously.  We used to be Newman's Own devotees, but I'll never buy another pasta sauce again.  The meatballs are small, so we use hot dog buns with them.  Set out some mozzarella cheese to top them with and voila! Instant lunch.  I "round out" the food with chips (Middlesworth, of course) and Goldfish for the kids.  I always offer fruit as well; generally red and green grapes and oranges.  This time I threw in some gummy worms to go with the birds. 

Buckets and tablecloth from Wal-Mart.  Don't be surprised if the buckets magically

reappear later.  Easter is coming soon!

Favors were placed on a side table.  I ordered yellow gable boxes from Oriental Trading and just folded the tops down inside.  I added some green easter grass and then placed 2 of my bulk Easter eggs in each.  One egg contained Hershey's Kisses. The other has Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  I was so excited to include the latter since our Ladybug has tested out of her nut allergy!  She is officially a "Seese's tup" addict.

As of now, my parties themselves are fairly unorganized.  We let everyone socialize and eat as their leisure.  The kids play together in their own made up games.  I feel like they're pretty young to be doing organized activities, so I just let them enjoy their time together.  When we get about half-way through the party, it's present time!  Ladybug was very excited to open her "pesents" this year!

Can you find the Bug?  Pardon the dirty socks! :\

We follow the gifts with my Ladybug's favorite part of parties: Cake!  Or, as she calls it, "tuppycakes.  In my mouf."  My friend Jeran makes my tuppycakes, and they are always super cute and delicious!  Exhibit A:

Seriously gorg.  Love her work! 



Tell me these aren't cute!

 And of course, the bug was super appreciative of all the hard work that went into them, as evidenced here...

Cupcake success!

The rest of the party consisted of the kids playing together. Ladybug discovered she could sit in the window, resulting in some seriously sweet photos:

Overall, it was a great day celebrating 2 years of life with my ladybug!  We stayed late after the party with my best friend and her family, and finished off the night with pizza!

The slices were bigger than his head!

In only two weeks, we'll be celebrating my little man's birthday!  Wow!