Blake Turns 2 and it is Out of this World!

Get ready for picture overload :)

Last Saturday we celebrated a really big day...Blake's second birthday! Can't believe that our baby is really 2. I need him to slow down! He is so full of life and turns evry person I know into his number one fan. He knows he is funny and he is such a little actor. His independence and fiery personality test us every day as parents, but we wouldn't have it any other way. He really did complete our family.

We were going to the do the Monster theme that is so big right now for his birthday, cause he loves to talk in this monster voice and growl all the time, but it was just too popular for me. So we made some slight variations and went with an outerspace theme that was all about aliens, spaceships and bright, fun, summer colors. I think it turned out perfect and the kids seemed to have fun!

The weather was perfect! It was HOT and sunny and our backyard was the best setting. Spring and Summer in the Tacoma area is a little cold this year and I was nervous.

We had a dessert area (above) which held some Funfetti cupcakes frosted by my amazing sister-in-law, some "Marsh"ian pops that the kids love and are so much easier than cake pops (thanks Ashley for teaching me your secrets), and with the leftover white chocolate from the pops we made some chocolate covered pretzels. Pinwheel Lane (http://pinwheellane.etsy.com) party flair was EVERYWHERE, of course! So our favor tags and cupcake toppers were a great addition to the table. My favorite part....the Blake Astronaut cupcake tower topper. He's so cute in that little blue helmet!

My mom, mother-in-law and sister-in-law were so helpful in pulling together our Snack Space Station. We had Orange and Green food everywhere. The guests may not notice, but I do. We had Doritos, Cheetos, Blue Corn Tortilla Chips, Veggies (only orange and green ones), fruit (only orange and green ones and some blueberries), some pasta salad with orange and green noodles and some Saturn Rings (or Ding Dongs, Powdered Donuts in cute baking cups, and peach-mango applesauce).

There was a green juice drink for the kids, a blue/green drink for the adults and some Liquid Hydrogen (H2O) with limes and oranges in it to drink.

My oldest son Caden insists on crafts at birthday parties. So we had a Comet Craft Corner. We had Moon Dough to play with, Rockets on paper straws to launch, UFOs (made from ashtrays) to run around with, bubbles to blow, and space themed coloring pages. I hung a blow-up solar system, some silver stars and a UFO that says "Blake is 2" from the roof of our porch cover.

A little carnival section was the great setting for our favors. Prize Planet had two games. A Crater Crunch, made from cans wrapped in scrapbook space paper, and a UFO toss.
After playing the games the kids got to make their own goodie bag. Each Pinwheel Lane Favor Bag had the child's initial on it and they got to pick from all of our colorful, space-themed goodies. There were ray guns (squirt guns), Moon Pies, Orbit Gum, Astronaut and Alien Rubber Ducks, little alien looking balls, colored licorice, suckers and asteroids (or taffy), milky ways and starbursts.



Caden and Blake and some of their friends playing games!

Caden's worth much more than 10 points!

All Blake wanted from the Prize Table was licorice!

Time for some crafts!


The playground and Basketball court always keep the kids busy! We also put out our Anti-Gravity House or Bounce House!

The Marshians were a hit!




Time to sing Happy Birthday! Although Blake didn't love the singing, he did love the cupcake and so did his buddies.

When the squirt guns were filled with water Blake was so happy to play with the big boys!

Caden and I!

My little guy getting me with his gun....SURPRISE!

Sorry Mommy!

Pat and I! We love seeing so much fun happening in our backyard!

After everyone left he got to open a couple presents from family. He loved the Mariner Moose that he got from Grandma, Papa and Auntie Meagan and his fishing pole from Uncle Joel.

These two boys had a great day! Happy Birthday Blakey Boy!

Caden's Buggy 4th Birthday -- The Action

Before we started the party Caden got to open two presents. He got green light-up sketchers from Grandma and Papa G. He had been asking for them and I was NOT going to buy those crazy things. But they make him so happy...so we will go with it :) And he got a skateboard from Pat, Blake and I. He loves it! And is getting more comfortable on it the more he practices.

The day before his birthday he kept saying that I needed to make sure he had a party hat to wear. Well I didn't have one and couldn't find one at the few places we have here in town. So Grandma and Papa came through. They picked one up on their way to our house and he loved it.

Our family before the big party!

Me and my birthday boy! I can't believe that this baby is 4!!!! He is so independent and stubborn and sensitive and smart and handsome and silly and creative. The list could go on and on. He amazes me everyday with the way his mind works and the things he can do without me. He will always be my little man and I love him more and more.

We love having our family around so that Blake has someone to bond with while we are busy keeping the party going. Blake spent a lot of time with his Papa G that day. He loved the balloons so much...funny, cause he hated them at his party only 2 months ago.

Papa G and his boys

Auntie Meagan drove home from the Gorge in time to make it to the party! Thanks for coming and spending time with us on Caden's big day.

As the kids came to the party they started working on their bug buckets. Caden got a head start cause he couldn't wait to start crafting!

Then after antenna's were made and buckets were decorated they all went on a plastic insect hunt!

Blake got to watch it all happen and eat LOTs of snacks!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Caden, Happy Birthday to you! Make a wish! Now dive in and eat some cake!

Papa Mike with Emerson and Blake

A backyard party at our house wouldn't be complete without the bouncy house...

the swingset....

and the sand table!

Finally Caden had waited long enough and got to open his presents. He was spoiled and he got so many things that he just loves and needs. Thanks to all his wonderful friends and our amazing family who are such important pieces of his life and growth!

Finally he enjoyed a dirtcup and some gummy worms!

And he gave his best girl Emerson a kiss goodbye!