I'm sure I mentioned in my post about her birthday decor that I am going to ride the wave of being able to use whatever theme I want for my kids birthday parties (that also fits their personality) as long as possible. One day I will likely be surrounded by Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Neverland Pirates, or some other Disney cliche. Not that I won't make that our own too and overall, my #1 priority is my children enjoying themselves, but for now... I'm excited to plan and execute a party where Kenzie has a blast and I get to put personal touches on it. She won't remember this party, but my hope is that when we show her pictures one day she knows that we put a lot of time and energy into it to make her happy and that she really enjoyed herself.
Last year, for Kenzie's first birthday we had a luau because what July-born child doesn't deserve a luau birthday at least once in their lives? This year the theme was a bit more difficult for me. In the end, we went with Pinwheels and Pink Lemonade. What could better describe our child than a toy that spins wildly out of control sometimes but remains fairly stable and makes people smile and a sunny, happy drink that makes people think of fun summer days laughing with friends? Kenzie is one happy, smiley, energetic little girl and pinwheels and pink lemonade make me think of the best parts of her little personality.
I've already posted the decor for her party so I will attempt to shy away from that information here and just talk about her day. I think everything started for her on Friday before her party. For the first time in her almost 2 years, we painted her toenails. She was going to wear new shoes that showed off her pretty little toes and I wanted to let her have that girly experience. To be honest, I don't think anyone believed I could get her nails painted without a fight. Again, Kenzie is... energetic to say the least. So, Friday morning shortly before nap I sat her down in front of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and went to work. She was enamored with the process. I purposely bought a quick drying nailpolish and by the time the show was over... her nails were "so pretty" and "pink toes" according to her. She showed everyone she could think of. We are a few days later now and she is still talking about her pink toes. She is not likely to be happy when the nail polish either wears off or we take it off.
The day of her party, Saturday, my mom came in early to help with set up. I actually had to go in to work for a couple of hours so I am so very grateful she could come in and help Steven not only with Kenzie, but also with the set up for the party. I tried to do as much as I could on Friday so at least the food was made for the most part and some decorating had been done. The two of them got it done though. By the time I got home, it was time to give Kenzie lunch and put her down for a slightly early nap while we finished up some decorating. We even had time to sit and watch tv while we had a small lunch. Okay, so maybe we shouldn't have done that because it never fails that I have guests arriving and I am still putting food on the table. At least this time, I was done within about 15 minutes of everyone getting here. As people started arriving we woke up the Birthday Girl and got her ready for her grand entrance.
She was a bit tentative at first. I mean, we did lay her down with no one other than Mommy, Daddy, and Nana in the house and she woke up to Grandma, Grandaddy, and Daddy helping her get ready before being greeted by a house of people. Once she warmed up (and woke up properly) though she was ready to party.
Everyone hung out for a bit and ate food. The kids played around with some toys that hang out in our living room. Our food was much more low key this time around. Last year I made Steven grill burgers and hot dogs... in 90 degree heat. Yeah, I didn't think that one through. This year we went with finger sandwiches, chips, deviled eggs, and easy peasy foods like that.
After hanging out a while we let Kenzie open her gifts. She really enjoyed it this year, compared to last year. Last year, we opened almost all of her gifts as she sat in one of our laps and just watched. This year, she actually got in to it. Her friend, Cameron, helped. I told her he was allowed to open every gift if he wanted because just two weeks ago at his party, I think she helped open about 75% of his. They are so fun at this age, because he didn't care two weeks ago... and she didn't care today. Oh, if they could only stay like that.
After gifts we moved on to singing Happy Birthday and blowing out candles. Kenzie has actually been singing Happy Birthday for about two weeks now. We figure it is because of all the birthdays we celebrate in July. She just picked up on the song. So, when she heard everyone sing it to her, she seemed a bit taken aback. She did great blowing out her candle and I didn't even have to help her. Then the best part... eating cake.
We went with cupcakes this year. Last year we did a Publix cake (mainly because you get a smash cake too) but this year cupcakes fit our theme better and I'm partial to the ease of it. No cake cutting, no left over hunks of cake. Everyone gets their own piece without having to worry about the mess.
After all the "party" festivities were over the kids went outside to play. This year it didn't seem nearly as hot as last year. They had a blast running in the backyard.
Then someone apparently suggested it would be cute if Kenzie and Cameron held hands.... so they did. Have to love friendship at this age. They are so sweet and innocent. Kenzie even had her first kiss (Lord give me strength). These two are too adorable.
I think Kenzie really enjoyed herself. She told people at church about her party the next day so it, at least, made some sort of impression. Can't wait to watch her next year as she gets even more in to it.
Happy birthday to our smiley girl! Can't believe we are only a couple days away from her officially being 2.
Last year, for Kenzie's first birthday we had a luau because what July-born child doesn't deserve a luau birthday at least once in their lives? This year the theme was a bit more difficult for me. In the end, we went with Pinwheels and Pink Lemonade. What could better describe our child than a toy that spins wildly out of control sometimes but remains fairly stable and makes people smile and a sunny, happy drink that makes people think of fun summer days laughing with friends? Kenzie is one happy, smiley, energetic little girl and pinwheels and pink lemonade make me think of the best parts of her little personality.
I've already posted the decor for her party so I will attempt to shy away from that information here and just talk about her day. I think everything started for her on Friday before her party. For the first time in her almost 2 years, we painted her toenails. She was going to wear new shoes that showed off her pretty little toes and I wanted to let her have that girly experience. To be honest, I don't think anyone believed I could get her nails painted without a fight. Again, Kenzie is... energetic to say the least. So, Friday morning shortly before nap I sat her down in front of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and went to work. She was enamored with the process. I purposely bought a quick drying nailpolish and by the time the show was over... her nails were "so pretty" and "pink toes" according to her. She showed everyone she could think of. We are a few days later now and she is still talking about her pink toes. She is not likely to be happy when the nail polish either wears off or we take it off.
The day of her party, Saturday, my mom came in early to help with set up. I actually had to go in to work for a couple of hours so I am so very grateful she could come in and help Steven not only with Kenzie, but also with the set up for the party. I tried to do as much as I could on Friday so at least the food was made for the most part and some decorating had been done. The two of them got it done though. By the time I got home, it was time to give Kenzie lunch and put her down for a slightly early nap while we finished up some decorating. We even had time to sit and watch tv while we had a small lunch. Okay, so maybe we shouldn't have done that because it never fails that I have guests arriving and I am still putting food on the table. At least this time, I was done within about 15 minutes of everyone getting here. As people started arriving we woke up the Birthday Girl and got her ready for her grand entrance.
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| Kenzie loved her sunny yellow dress, pink shoes... and of course her pink toes. |
Everyone hung out for a bit and ate food. The kids played around with some toys that hang out in our living room. Our food was much more low key this time around. Last year I made Steven grill burgers and hot dogs... in 90 degree heat. Yeah, I didn't think that one through. This year we went with finger sandwiches, chips, deviled eggs, and easy peasy foods like that.
After hanging out a while we let Kenzie open her gifts. She really enjoyed it this year, compared to last year. Last year, we opened almost all of her gifts as she sat in one of our laps and just watched. This year, she actually got in to it. Her friend, Cameron, helped. I told her he was allowed to open every gift if he wanted because just two weeks ago at his party, I think she helped open about 75% of his. They are so fun at this age, because he didn't care two weeks ago... and she didn't care today. Oh, if they could only stay like that.
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| Okay, so maybe she still isn't too into cards. Bring on the bows though! |
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| The after gift face. Our kid is a nut. |
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| Singing Happy Birthday |
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| Blowing out her candle |
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| Daddy was nominated as "cupcake holder" apparently |
After all the "party" festivities were over the kids went outside to play. This year it didn't seem nearly as hot as last year. They had a blast running in the backyard.
Then someone apparently suggested it would be cute if Kenzie and Cameron held hands.... so they did. Have to love friendship at this age. They are so sweet and innocent. Kenzie even had her first kiss (Lord give me strength). These two are too adorable.
I think Kenzie really enjoyed herself. She told people at church about her party the next day so it, at least, made some sort of impression. Can't wait to watch her next year as she gets even more in to it.
Happy birthday to our smiley girl! Can't believe we are only a couple days away from her officially being 2.
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