Birthday #2

[RunsforWineandCarbs]

Because no matter how much we want to deny it, it's happening. So let's put all birthday related things here. What are you doing? Themes? Big? Small? No party to stay in denial???

[Betweenthelines]

So we do joint parties since both kids are July babies. I plan to do this as long as we possibly can, until one of them requests otherwise.

Pool party, lawn games, swingset and playhouse is the theme

This year's new addition though is a 16 foot blow up slide that we rented for the day and it also comes with a snocone machine.

[45thparallel]

We are wavering between a Paw Patrol or vehicle themed party. DS is obsessed with trains, trucks, tractors so that could be fun too. I'll have to start planning this. First week of Aug is not that far off. I'm looking forward to the party, and having a 2 year old.

For us, the kids parties are small family only. They start around 10:30-11 am, we play, eat, presents, then play again. All done by 3 pm.

[Betweenthelines]

Our birthday parties always start at 2pm and have no end time because it turns into an adult party after the kids go to bed at 730.

[RunsforWineandCarbs]

i think we are doing mickey mouse themed party. 1 he loves mickey and minnie. and 2, we still have decorations from A's 1st bday. It will be most likely family only. And we will cook out and swim. and drink. that is all i have planned.

alternate to having at our house is to go to a local park, rent a pavilion and let the kids run free and play in the splash pad. then naps for everyone.

I will admit, i learned from the first that it's easier for small low key parties at this age. so much easier.

[Betweenthelines]

Jun 22, 2017 13:46:56 GMT -6 RunsforWineandCarbs said:

i think we are doing mickey mouse themed party. 1 he loves mickey and minnie. and 2, we still have decorations from A's 1st bday. It will be most likely family only. And we will cook out and swim. and drink. that is all i have planned.

alternate to having at our house is to go to a local park, rent a pavilion and let the kids run free and play in the splash pad. then naps for everyone.

I will admit, i learned from the first that it's easier for small low key parties at this age. so much easier.

Lmk the date and time. Sounds like a good party to me.

[CestLaVie]

I am thinking mermaid themed. Or maybe Moana / sea themed. She loves Moana. When I say theme, probably just the theme of the cake. We are going to have a backyard BBQ type of thing for her with family and our friends. I can't believe it's so close!

I don't plan very much for the party, just the cake. Then the adults have beers and the kids run wild. They seem to like that lol. Maybe a bonfire to cap it off? We usually start the parties around 4 and have food. Eventually the kids get put to bed and the party continues haha.

[taketheshot]

Ocean/Under the Sea theme.

I have so many weddings this summer so I am not thinking about anything "birthday" until after the last wedding is done (7/7) .. We should be fine since her bday is 8/19

[RunsforWineandCarbs]

taketheshot, yep we are 8/21 - so i will need to schedule around H being in town.

I am now thinking we need to do an after nap party too. on a saturday. yes.

[taketheshot]

We're looking at 3pm on a Sunday .. Her actual bday is on Saturday so I want to spend that day enjoying her, not running around trying to host a party

[fierymama]

We are doing a Luaua Theme (invites were done up with Moana though because K loves it). I figured it would be easier to go "Luau" for the overall theme instead of trying to find all Moana stuff. I'll have to edit this post later with the plates we found for it (from the dollar store of all places, p.s. they are also found on Amazon).

Right now I'm thinking: Water balloons, painting seashells, sand art (???), and pool noodle ring toss. My FIL is talking about buying an inflatable water slide, so we will see if that happens. I'll probably have a pool blown up as well.

Larger party because we have a large immediate family and then like to invite friends with kids around the same age. Starts at 2.

[45thparallel]

Jun 22, 2017 13:46:36 GMT -6 Betweenthelines said:

Our birthday parties always start at 2pm and have no end time because it turns into an adult party after the kids go to bed at 730.

Hmm. You're on to something here. Maybe I'll change it up this year... i mean we are doing a meal anyway. And then morning rush won't be as extreme.

[Betweenthelines]

Jun 22, 2017 13:56:37 GMT -6 45thparallel said:

Jun 22, 2017 13:46:36 GMT -6 Betweenthelines said:

Our birthday parties always start at 2pm and have no end time because it turns into an adult party after the kids go to bed at 730.

Hmm. You're on to something here. Maybe I'll change it up this year... i mean we are doing a meal anyway. And then morning rush won't be as extreme.

You should know this by now.. it isn't ALWAYS about the kids. Only when they're awake.

[avocadotoast]

I kind of want I do lumberjack theme. But I killed myseld last year with the cactus theme, and I don't have much time to devote to crafting this year. So we will see what I can find. Might be "mild lumberjack" lol.

It'll be a backyard party again. I think on Saturday the 5th (his bday is the 6th). I'm getting assorted sandwiches catered this year, putting out a bunch of snacks (teddy grams (bears), pretzel sticks (twigs))...

We wanted to pare down the guest list from last year, but I still think we'll end up inviting about 50 people. Yikes. I hope it's nice out because my house is not big enough!

I'm going to say no presents. And it'll be more of an open house, drop in, thing... no end time.

And mom will certainly be getting her drink on.

[CestLaVie]

Haha yeah we always do the afternoon/evening parties because our kids don't have friends yet. So by nature the people there are our friends (and their kids). So it works out haha 2 for 1.

[Peekaru]

I've decided after extensive thought, ie- reading this thread

She shall have a after nap pool party.

[coconutbacon]

I am not sure. Part of me wants to just go to the beach with her– maybe rally my sister's family and my cousins to go to Asbury Park, which is one of my favorite Jersey Shore spots.

And part of me wants to have people over because I really want to try making this cake.



Maybe I'll do both...

[45thparallel]

Jun 22, 2017 14:20:18 GMT -6 coconutbacon said:

I am not sure. Part of me wants to just go to the beach with her– maybe rally my sister's family and my cousins to go to Asbury Park, which is one of my favorite Jersey Shore spots.

And part of me wants to have people over because I really want to try making this cake.



Maybe I'll do both...

Beach with the cake.

[coconutbacon]

I like how you think, 45thparallel.

[redandblue]

Guys I haven't even thought about it!!! You guys are making me panic with your well organized lives!!! Lol! We usually do after nap type gatherings. Won't be huge, but a few people. RunsforWineandCarbs definitely parties are more relaxed when you can do them offsite! I did a number of DS1 birthday parties at local parks. Bring some balloons, cake and order pizza to the park! I used to make t-shirts as the give away, in very bright colours so I could keep an eye on all the kids (aged 4, 5 and 6)

If I have to say a theme, right now I'm thinking puppies, because I swear M thinks he's a dog half the time! Lol

[flippinchica]

This thread reminded me that I have my birthday cake from work leftovers to eat.
Otherwise I haven't thought about anything else other than a possible birthday present.

[redandblue]

Jun 22, 2017 18:30:36 GMT -6 flippinchica said:

This thread reminded me that I have my birthday cake from work leftovers to eat.
Otherwise I haven't thought about anything else other than a possible birthday present.

This must be pregnancy brain talking, because who forgets cake??? Lol

[shellyr]

fierymama, I was thinking about a Hawaiian theme too but that's as far as I've gotten.

Mostly I'm in denial about my little girl turning 2.

[sizzleb]

No party here this year, I had to practically twist H's arm for a 1st bday party last year so I'm not fighting him this time around.

A's bday is on a Wednesday- current plan is to take that Friday off work and drive to San Diego for the weekend. Hotel with a pool that afternoon and zoo that weekend.

If we were doing a party I would do either Mickey or Penguin-themed because she is obsessed with both of those.

[sizzleb]

coconutbacon, is that a poppyseed cake? I think I need that in my life.

[mommabakes]

We do a joint birthday party, since DDs birthday is just a few weeks later. It'll be low key, in our backyard. Some outdoor games (croquet,corn hole, bocce ball,etc), grilled food, close family- which is still nearly 30 people! DD requested a superhero girls cake, so she'll have that and DS will get Batman on his cake. We might do a tattoo station for the kids.

I'm due just a few weeks after the party, so I'm doing everything as easy as possible!

[vern]

Diggers.

coconutbacon, am now thinking i need another baby, for to name Poppy, and make/ buy all the poppiest things.

[skinandbones]

I have no idea. I need to get throw Little's first.

[RunsforWineandCarbs]

Jun 23, 2017 5:32:53 GMT -6 skinandbones said:

I have no idea. I need to get throw Little's first.

I highly recommend spending the money and having his party at a kids place like chucky cheese - (not necessarily chucky cheese but i don't know what other kids places you have in your area...like we have monkey joe's which is  a place of bounce houses and slides)...but they take care of everything! I walked out of the party and was like, wow i am not exhausted. Best money ever spent.

[skinandbones]

Jun 23, 2017 5:37:06 GMT -6 RunsforWineandCarbs said:

Jun 23, 2017 5:32:53 GMT -6 skinandbones said:

I have no idea. I need to get throw Little's first.

I highly recommend spending the money and having his party at a kids place like chucky cheese - (not necessarily chucky cheese but i don't know what other kids places you have in your area...like we have monkey joe's which is  a place of bounce houses and slides)...but they take care of everything! I walked out of the party and was like, wow i am not exhausted. Best money ever spent.

Do you read minds?

I think we are just going to do a family thing at Chuck E. Cheese and call it a day.  He's been asking to go.  We toyed with the idea of inviting his classmates but no one else has done a class party and, you know, money.  We considered monkey Joe's but he just does each jump once and then is ready to go.