Happy 2nd Birthday Garytt!

"Elmo loves to party!
We hope you do too!
Come and help us celebrate!
Garytt's turning two!"

The invitations set the tone for Garytt's 2nd birthday party, which was held Saturday, March 24. (His actual birthday is March 25.) It was Elmo themed since that is by far his favorite character right now.

I made Elmo cupcakes and a small Elmo smash cake for Garytt. I also made sugar cookies because the party was "brought to you by the letter G and the number 2."


Dessert table


Cupcakes


Cake and Cupcakes


Cookies


Elmo balloons!


Party favor bags

I have to say that I was very happy with how the cupcakes turned out! However, the mouth on the Elmo smash cake didn't go as well as planned. I had some trouble with the royal icing due to humidity levels and maybe because I added an incorrect ingredient...oops! Oh well, I think you can definitely tell it is supposed to be Elmo!

We had party hats for the kids. Most of them didn't keep them on for very long. I think the elastic strap bothered them. Even Garytt, who LOVES to wear hats only wore the party hat for a short time. (And check out that eye!)





Garytt had a few little friends come to his party. Hannah and Garytt even gave each other a hug!





Garytt's cousin Addison also wore an Elmo t-shirt to the party. Too fun!



It was such nice weather outside, we ate our lunch on my parents' deck.


Justin, Nanny, Mimi, and Garytt enjoying the pizza

After lunch, it was time to open the gifts!









Here come the other kids to "help."





Nanny even made a new friend.



I was a proud Mama during the gift opening. Garytt did a great job of saying "thank you" to most everyone. Of course we had to prompt him, he is only 2 after all, but it was super adorable!

After opening the gifts, it was time to sing Happy Birthday and eat the cake! We brought Garytt over to the cake table to show him Elmo...he looks pretty excited.



I think my mom was super excited that it was beautiful weather outside because all that red frosting could be sent outside! We set Garytt up in the high chair and tried to light candles but it was too windy. So, we just had to sing "Happy Birthday" without candles burning.







It looks like Garytt enjoyed it!



We all just hung out after the cake was done and let the kids play.









Soon, we broke out the bubbles...and Justin became super popular with the kids!







Garytt's birthday party was the first time many people got to meet Westyn as well.













After most everyone left, Garytt enjoyed playing with a few toys before taking a nap.


Chugginton train set!






Coloring

It was definitely time for Garytt to take a nap after all that excitement! Thanks to everyone who celebrated with us!

Party Preparations

Thursday after Justin got home from work, we packed up the car and headed out on our long journey to Kansas with two kids and a dog. Our original plan was to stop part way but in my infinite wisdom, I suggested just driving through the night. I thought it would be easier to leave the boys sleeping as much as possible rather than try to get them out and re-settle them in a hotel room.

Well, that didn't work as well as I had hoped. Garytt didn't even try to go to sleep in his car seat until after 10 pm. Then, since I had to stop and feed Westyn every few hours, it was hard for Garytt to stay asleep. However, Justin and I had the exact opposite problem...we had a hard time staying awake.

Anyhow, we arrived at my parents' house around 6:30 am on Friday morning...just about the time Garytt normally wakes up...perfect. We fed Garytt his breakfast and he quickly made himself at home and Grandma and Granpa's house...he even stole Grandpa's chair.


In Grandpa's chair...still looking a bit sleepy.

Unfortunately, there wasn't really time for me to take a nap when we arrived in Topeka because I had to get things ready for Garytt's birthday party the following day.

While I started baking cakes and cupcakes, Garytt "helped" Grandma wash the sliding glass door to remove all the smudges from the dogs.







Later in the day, Grandma and Garytt took a short walk and picked a flower for me on the way home.









After the baking was all done, it was time to decorate the Elmo cake and some cookies for the party. I did as much as I could but it soon became obvious that I was going to have to recruit some help if I was going to get it all done in time. So, Justin and my mom helped with the cookies and my mom helped with the cupcakes.













After a long evening, we finally finished all the decorating...it was time for bed!