Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Elmo Birthday Party!

Sunday, we had an early birthday celebration for my sweet little (almost!) 2 year old girl! It’s funny, I wonder if my sister-in-law and brother-in-law have the same thoughts about their beach party for their son as I have for a pool party 2 years in a row for my littlest one… My older daughter’s birthday is in January, and my sister-in-law’s other 2 children (both girls) were born in December and March. I think we have probably all been tapped out on ideas for fun, indoor, winter-y birthday parties and decided to enjoy the warm weather birthdays outdoors! Although, I have toyed with the idea of a sledding birthday party sometimes for my girl…

But I digress! Between my husband’s work schedule and our vacation schedule, we decided to have my little one’s birthday party early this year, and we were blessed with a gorgeous, warm & sunny day for a birthday pool party. My theme (and of course I had one!) was “Elmo” and I found the cutest photo invitations that I ordered online from Sweet & Sassy Ink – they had lots of different characters to choose from! I also found at Ty’s Toy Box online the cutest shorts outfit and bikini bathing suit for my little girlie to wear (both with Elmo, of course) – and for my frugal friends, I will say in my defense, that my girlie needs clothes, so this wasn’t just extraneous spending for the sake of a theme (although, admittedly, that is not out of character for me...)! I also ordered a cake from our local grocery store – with Elmo on it, of course. It was very cute and delicious, and not nearly as expensive as last year’s Pooh’s Hunny Pot cake from the fancy bakery!

It was a lovely birthday party, with lots of family - from 8 year old cousins all the way up to her two great grandmothers! A whole bunch of people went into the pool to cool off, including my birthday girl, who enjoyed sitting on the pool steps with her Gramby and "holding court" for her cousins and her sister -- all of the older girls seemed downright enchanted by my little one and she just ate it up! And she was equally as charming (I'm gushing, aren't I? Sorry!) when she opened all of the wonderful gifts that everyone gave her. Honestly, she was the first 2 year old I've ever seen hold up clothing to her chest (like a mom -- probably got it from me!) to show it off, all while oohing and aahing over it!

It's so nice to have a simple, outdoor birthday party -- especially if the weather is on your side! Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, the birthday girl had a great day, and there was not a lot of fuss & muss!

Oh, and my oldest, in the spirit of birthdays has already started planning hers -- it's in January... never too early, I guess -- she came up with a cute idea on her own. She would like to have a Webkinz-themed party, and wants to invite her friends to bring their favorite Webkinz to join in on the birthday party fun. I wonder if party-theming is a hereditary or learned behavior...

What are your favorite kid's party themes?

6 comments:

Teamcarbone said...

Wow way to take the theme to the extreme, an Elmo bathing suite(seriously very cute)! Actually it sounds like a lovely party and I can't wait to see the pictures. I would guess that yes your 2 year old little girlie definitely gets her mannerisms from her Mommy! ;)

BTW-Your whole weekend soundly lovely.

Christine said...

Ok the Webkinz party idea is great! And frugal! See a good combination of you and me!

I saw your girls at the store with your Dad today and saw the very cute Elmo outfit on her! Nice!!!

I wish I would have known you were doing Elmo, I have an Elmo cake pan that I was just thinking "I wish I knew someone who wanted to do an Elmo party!"

The Fine Art of Motherhood said...

Well, actually, I was feeling like for first girlie's bday party I had the Tea for Two theme, handmade the teapot invitations, went out and bought the teapots and creamer/sugar sets, got the teapot cake from Premier, and bought her the dress with the tea cups & saucers on it -- so the Elmo outifit and bathing suit were not too crazy. Having 2 kids, I want to try to make sure that I am as fair as possible -- even if I can do nice parties for less money than I did for my previous girl's first few parties, I still want to try and make an effort. I don't want my little one to look back when she's older and feel like when she came along Mommy was all out of cute ideas!

The Fine Art of Motherhood said...

I know, I liked the Webkinz theme too! That I can work with! ;)

BTW -- if you don't mind, can I borrow the Elmo pan? Jess is throwing a little bday party on my girlie's actual bday, and we were going to make cupcakes, but maybe I could bring that and we could make an Elmo cake! Let me know -- thanks!!

Christine said...

You'll never run out of cute ideas. It's how you are wired.

Of course you can borrow the pan! I'm glad someone can get some use out of it!

The Fine Art of Motherhood said...

How funny -- at first I read that as "It's how you're WEIRD!" Yeah, that too!