Ella's 2nd Birthday Party

Ella couldn't have been more excited about her Sesame Street themed 2nd birthday party. Each year for the girls' birthdays I try to throw them a party that is unique to them at that age and moment in time. This was it for Ella. She's been a Sesame Street loving girl from the start. This was probably also the most fun theme to do so far. This year was even better because we named Ashley the Creative Games and Fun Director, which is a fancy way of saying my most crafty friend who loves to create started making amazing themed games completely on her own. Her games took this party to the next level of fun! I couldn't have done it all without her. We had so much fun planning and creating all the little details of the party together.

Lots of friends and family were here to celebrate with us. The most exciting guest at the party was...Nana! It was her first time at our house and the first time she was able to come to a birthday party. We were thrilled that she was able to make the three hour trip to celebrate with us! Ollie loved Nana and her very comfy lap.

I'm so glad Joe captured this priceless picture during the party. Especially since my entire camera of party photos was erased before I had a chance to upload them. It took me a few days to get over it, but I'm thankful that Joe and Ashley got enough special pictures for us to look back on and remember the day!

family

It's also pretty special when you realize the people who knew you before you learned how to drive, the ones who were there with you through your first devastating heartbreak (among many other life events) and the people you have some of the most fun memories with are still there. Friends for 14 years...what?! Now, life has changed and our friendship has grown to include our spouses and families. I love these guys.

Ashley created five game stations. The kids had a blast going from game to game. 

 Pin the Nose on Elmo

 Bubbles with Big Bird

 

 

 

Oscar's Trash Can Toss

 

 Ring Ta-ah-ah-as with the Count

 

 

Cookie Monster's Cookie Toss

Ashley did such an amazing job with all of the details! Look at the handpainted characters and woodwork.

I love planning the themed party menu. How could you not love these veggie and fruit platters? 

 

Other food included Grover's Superhero veggies and dip, Ernie's Cheese and Quackers, Cookie Monster's Cookies, Dorothy's Goldfish, Oscar's Trash Cups and a large sub sandwich. There was also a table of Sesame Street juices, Telly's Iced Tea and a popcorn machine. Ashley made the colored bags different character faces. We had Bert, Abby Cadabby and Grover popcorn bags.

 

 

For dessert, we had Elmo and Cookie Monster cupcakes.

 

 

There was a threat of rain all day. It stayed clear for the most part and rained just a little. The house and yard were bustling with lots of people the whole time! Ella could hardly believe it was her party and LOVED all the attention. 

Mr. Ryan, Isaac, Ms. Heather and Ashley

Justin and Levi

with our neighbor Diana

When we gathered to sing Happy Birthday to Ella, she ate it up.  It was too hard to choose between an Elmo or Cookie Monster cupcake though, so...she had both!  

 



 

 

 

Five little girls and Ms. Annemarie

Ella spotted her pile of presents and waited so patiently until the end of her party to tear into them. After a while, she started pacing back and forth excitedly saying, "Mine! My presents!" When we finally unleashed her, she was like a tornado ripping through the packages at lightning speed. It was almost impossible for me to keep them all straight. There wasn't a chance at having her look at the cards first! Her joy was contagious. Nobody wanted to contain it or slow her down.

"Look what I got Grandma!"

blurry tornado picture :)

What a fun day celebrating our littlest love! It was definitely a memorable birthday we will never forget.

Snapshots and Quotables

Oliver has a sister named Lily and she belongs to our good friends, the Ritters. When our families need a doggy sitter, we call each other. It's a perfect fit and has honestly been one of the sweetest things to watch. Each time they are reunited, they go nuts.  It's so different then the way I've seen other dogs respond to each other. They greet each other with such excitement and love for each other. They keep each other company all day like two peas in a pod.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhqnJK2J_8I&feature=youtu.be

Our summer has been so full that we haven't had the time to fully devote to potty training yet. That hasn't stopped Ella for trying from time to time. She is definitely interested. Now, we just need to crack down and stop buying those diapers.

On Ella's birthday, Ayash came for a visit. We love having Ashley here! As always, she was constantly playing and crafting with our girls and they loved every minute of it.

Ella's new Doc McStuffins playdoh set

Ashley arrived just in time to help me prepare for the Ella's big birthday party. She is a party planning machine. Her creative forces took Ella's Sesame Street party to the next level. Seriously, I'm still trying to convince her to go into business. She's that good! We had so much fun  I couldn't have done it all without her!

my real life Franc

Ashley almost always arrives with a new pair of shoes for the girls. All of their cool shoes come from her. Here they are rocking their new Toms.

One night after dinner, Ashley and I went out for some last minute birthday supplies while Joe put the girls to bed.  As soon as Ashley and I walked in the door, we heard Ella cry out. "Asyeeeeeee...I need you. Asyeeeee....nuggggle me. Asyeeeeeeee!"

Running some more birthday party errands and Abby just had to stop for this photo op.

On Thursdays and Fridays, our home is extra crazy fun with two little girls, an active and newly crawling baby boy (our neighbor Joseph) and a little rascal dog. They keep it exciting. At one point, Ashley looked at me wide eyed and said something like, "Wow! This is nuts!" That might have been the moment  I was simultaneously pulling things out of the puppy's mouth, while keeping Joseph from eating dog food, while helping Ella through an emotional toddler breakdown and reminding Abby to use kind, not bossy words when talking to her sister. We just looked at each other and laughed at it all. I loved the days we had her here because having an extra set of hands to help and play throughout the day is always helpful (and even more fun)!

taking a walk with Joseph

sprinkler days

Frozen movie date

playing catch with Ashley

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IB-rZKHKMwk&feature=youtu.be

Ella: 24 months

Bells,
You are a joy to everyone you meet, being the first to welcome anyone into a room and the first to hug everyone goodbye. You are an includer and are very serious about making sure no one is left out. Your smile is contagious and your love for others is inspiring. You are a total lovebug and give the greatest hugs. I love hearing you say, "Mommy, I need you. I need to nuggle my mommy!" and you tell me daily. 

You are extremely stubborn and keep us on our toes. Let's be clear. You might be the younger sister, but you DO NOT to let anyone push you around or leave you out. You have the best pouty face around and know just when to use it to get others to empathize with you. You adore your big sister and want to do everything she is doing. You love playing house together and pretending Abby is your mommy. You look forward to the moments of the day when you get to see your daddy and take rides with him if he has somewhere to go. "Go bye my dad. Abby go too?? Both go! Both go Abby...OTAY?"

Some of my favorite things you say these days are, "Oh man!", "I know" and how you use my in place of I ("my do dat" or "my like it"). Of course the best part is that you call all the people you love "yours". "I need my Mommy/Daddy. I need my Abby. I need my Ashley. I need my Oliver." It's really precious.

You're favorite characters right now are Doc McStuffins, Olaf and Anna. While we were at Nagymama's house, you fell in love with a red convertible model car she had. You played with it for hours (and still do), putting your little people in and packing up the trunk. We just had to bring it home.

You love to set up all your Frozen little people in the car and bring them around the house. You are always asking, "Where's my Olaf? My Anna?". For your birthday, you received lots of different princess dolls. You couldn't wait to take off all of their clothes, especially their shoes. Did I mention you have a thing for shoes? Your shoes, my shoes, doll shoes. You just love shoes!

You love watching Baby Signing Time with Abby and are picking up on a lot of sign language that I never would have known to teach you. I love those DVDs. Whenever a baby is at our house, you ask to hold him or her and give the baby lots of kisses. You continue to be fearless in water and very cautious on anything involving motion.You love to play with the toy kitchen and all of the food. Everyday, you fill a bag or picnic basket with play food and I can find you somewhere in the house feeding babies or making a picnic/tea party.

Outside, you are loving the swings and started letting people push you. You say "higher, higher" until you feel the motion of the swing and then you try to jump off while it is still moving.

On your actual 2nd birthday, you woke up to find a huge Doc McStuffins balloon and a bunch of gifts waiting for you. The joy on your face when you realized it was finally your turn to have a birthday was priceless. You kept saying, "All these mine, Abby? My birthday? These for me?" After opening a bunch of fun gifts, including a Doc McStuffins remote control car, Doc jammies, a birthday dress, a LeapFrog Tag Junior Reader with books and a Frozen baby Anna doll, you enjoyed some birthday pancakes complete with whipped cream and sprinkles! Aunt Ayash arrived. We played all day and had birthday pizza for dinner. You loved every minute of it. And to think you still had a big birthday party coming up!

 

At your 2 year old well check, you weighed 26 pounds. You are 2 feet and 10 inches tall.
Not only do you love Doc McStuffins, you also love going to see your doctor. Our pediatrician is great and you and Abby have been seeing him since you were born. I love seeing your excitement when it's your turn to go. This time, you brought Doc for Dr. K to check and you brought your stethoscope, so you could help!

It's official. My baby is two and this is your last last monthly baby post.  As crazy as that sounds,  I must say I do love the transition into full toddlerhood. This stage brings other kinds of fun posts about the hilarious things you have already started doing and saying. Each season is just so sweet to me.

We adore you, Ella Bean. I'm so blessed to be your mommy.