Addi Kate's Big Top Birthday Party was by far one of the funnest parties we've ever thrown. We played games like ring toss, Pin the Clown Nose on Addi Kate, and bean bag toss. The kids REALLY enjoyed the elephant train...both the little kids AND the big kids:) But I think Addi's favorite part of the party was the clown that did face painting.
Here are some pictures and a video from Addi's Big Top Party...
We couldn't go to the zoo on your birthday because of the weather, so we decided to take you the day before your birthday party. I am so glad we waited because the weather was gorgeous!
You can name all the animals and enjoyed playing on the elephant statue.
That smile!!!!
We took a picture just like this last year with you and your Daddy. I can't get over the love in both of your faces...
Some of your favorite animals were the lions (and the baby cubs), the tigers, the pigs, but you loved the giraffes the most...
We definitely need to take you to the zoo more often and plan to do so this next year!
I can't believe you are 2 years old...how time flies!!! Mommy and Daddy took off for your birthday and we spent the day celebrating YOU!
We got dressed and let you open a few presents...a pink Radio Flyer Scooter and tap shoes!
You haven't quite figured out how to use the scooter yet, but it's only a matter of time.
You do love the tap shoes and the sound that they make. Here is a little video of you testing out the tap shoes for the first time.
After opening gifts, we took you to the mall. Last year on your 1st birthday, we bought you a pair of pink converse, so this year we kept with the tradition, but bought you a red pair this time.
We then took you on a train ride around the mall..."Choo Choo" is still one of the sweetest phrases you say :)
We also did our birthday tradition of letting you pick out a stuffed animal at Build a Bear. This year you chose an elephant. We named her Emily the Elephant and she has a ballerina tutu just like you!
For lunch we took you to Chuck E. Cheese...and oh my word, you LOVED it!!! From the rides, to the pizza, to giving Chuck E.the mouse a high five, you were in Heaven!!!
That evening we invited D-ma, Jilly, and Pops over and we all went out to dinner to not only celebrate your special day, but also Jilly and Pops' anniversary. They gave you a stuffed Nemo doll and I thought your heart would explode!!!
While you are celebrating 2 years, Jilly and Pops are celebrating 42 years of marriage.
D-ma gave you the sweetest jewelry box with a turning ballerina. We will be able to store all your pretty jewelry, along with your first James Avery Charm Bracelet!
We had such a great day celebrating you, Addison Kate. You are the light of our lives and we love you MORE than the world!
It seems as if I missed posting about Addi's 23 month birthday. What?!?!?! So I have to post about her 23 month birthday BEFORE I can post about her 24 month birthday, right?
Well, here is our sweet little angel at 23 months old...
She is such a ball of energy and has started getting pretty frustrated lately. "Give it back" and "no" and "mine" are just a few of the phrases she's saying lately. We are doing our best to redirect her and know that this is just a phase she is going through. But goodness, she sure is independent and definitely knows what she likes and doesn't like...hmmm, wonder where she gets that?!?!
She is in love with the movie Finding Nemo and wants to watch it constantly! She even pretends to be Nemo in the bathtub. Her kitchen was a big hit for Christmas, so she spends a lot of time in her play room cooking "macahoni" and stirring pretend food in her pots and pans.
Addison's hair...oh my word! She honestly has the prettiest head of hair I've ever seen...white blond, just a little curl, soft and getting long. I just adore putting it in a ponytail or pig tails or simply pulling it back with a bow.
Pops is still one of her favorite people...but her cousin Mikey is a close second. She wants to do, try, and say everything he does.
Addison Kate...Mommy and Daddy love you MORE than the world. We hope you are always strong-willed, determined, spunky, and independent!
We are in full swing party planning mode!!! With only a few more weeks to go, we have been finalizing projects and games for Addison's Big Top Birthday Party.
I wanted to create a welcome sign for our guests that lists all the activities that we plan to have at the party. I searched and searched for some wooden planks that I could use to make the sign. I wanted them to look vintage, like our theme, but I couldn't find what I was looking for and came home frustrated :( As I pulled into our driveway, I happened to look to my left and noticed that our neighbor had a TON of old wood out by the curb for trash pick up. Our neighbor's girls had out-grown their swing set, so they tore it down and had it all piled up for the garbage. SCORE!!! I picked up five pieces of the wood and voila...
Addi's cousin, Litsa, did all the lettering for me. Her handwriting is gorgeous and it amazes me at how fast yet precise her work is!
We wanted to include some type of "Pin the _____ on Addi Kate" just like we did last year for her 1st birthday party. So this year, we decided to "Pin the CLOWN NOSE on Addi Kate."
Jilly gave us a bag full of red clown noses that we'll put some sticky dots on and have the kids try and place them on Addi's nose on the banner.
We finally finished the ticket booth. Jilly and I painted it a LONG time ago, but it took me weeks to decide how I wanted the top to look. But here is the final product and I love how it turned out...
(the dark spots are shadows from the trees at Ponderville)
But I think the game/activity the kids are going to enjoy the most will be the Elephant Train. Pops and Daddy spent a lot of time, sweat, and thought into creating the perfect train for the kiddos....
Addi Kate tested it out last night and gave her approval.
Let Addi Kate's Big Top Birthday Party begin!!
I can't believe our little girl will be turning TWO soon.
We spent quite a bit of time over the Christmas break planning Addi Kate's Big Top Birthday Party!
When this little jewel arrived, Addi was thrilled to stick her head in the holes and pretend to be the lion and then the ringmaster!!!
A high school friend of mine is designing her party cookies this year...aren't these adorable?!?!?
Jilly and I have been working on the games for the party. Here is the crate we are going to use for the Ring Toss game...
Pops made a big 2 for us this year...it's not quite complete in this pic, I added some polka dots to dress it up. Here are the favor boxes for Addi Kate's friends. I think I'm going to fill them up with animal crackers. And the bottom right picture is the skirt that I had made for Addi. Isn't it precious?????
Here is our finished number 2!!! Love the polka dots.
Daddy and I still have lots to prepare for the party, but it's coming together.
I am a Christ follower, a happily married woman, a devoted daughter, a loyal friend, and a hard-working assistant principal. I am overjoyed to finally add proud MOMMY to our miracle baby to my profile!!
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