Ani's 2nd Birthday Party!

This past weekend we celebrated Ani's 2nd birthday with a party. It was supposed to be back in February, but both kids were very sick over the planned weekend, so we moved it a month. We had great weather and lots of fun. I loved making the party food, and that simple bunting has followed us through many houses, birthdays, and parties, and always seems to look great.

I had gotten a few ideas out of a book I borrowed from the library, The Fairy Cookbook, and went from there on making them my own. It had a number of good ideas, but this book was ALL GIRL. Loved the idea of the popcorn/trail mix and I found some cute paper bags at Hobby Lobby to decorate with her name stamped on them. Fruit kabobs, cheese and crackers, lime sherbert punch (yum!), home-made mini strombolis, and pineapple cupcakes were all on the menu!
Now looking at these pictures I could have jazzed up the chalkboard easel with a menu, oh well, next time.

Here is the birthday girl in her cute 'party dress' and her birthday crown. She looked like a little wood sprite and was just totally enjoying every minute of being the center of attention. She is the most social of the whole family and loves to have new people over. She received tons of wonderful gifts including lots of summer clothes, pads of paper and stickers (her favorite) and enough socks to take her through the next century, which she needed!

Here's the kiddie table, complete with a grazing toddler cousin who they also love to play with (most of the time) :). We only have a party for each child every other year, then do something special with them the 'off' year. We're so glad we were able to entertain in our new house and that the guests enjoyed themselves. Ani had a great time, too, I think, and was so worn out that afternoon she took a 3 hour nap. My kind of party!