Elsie's 2nd Birthday!

On December 14th we celebrated Elsie's 2nd Birthday!  It was her actual birthday which was pretty neat.  My family was able to make it down this year which was great (last year just my parents made it down due to some nasty weather).  Because we didn't know where we would be in regards to the house situation we kept this year to just family (and Amber and Marc and family).  Our house doesn't allow for very large gatherings but it seemed to work out pretty good.  

When I first started planning her party I had planned for it to be an "Owl" theme.  Her invitations said "Look Whoooo's turning two?, I ordered the cake and explained that it was an owl theme with the theme colors being brown, dark pink, and a turquoise color (based off the invitations), and I had purchased the paper to make her birthday banner.  About a week before the party we set out to buy some supplies for decorations and for plates, cups, etc.  Well when we got to the store I realized she isn't going to be excited about an owl party...she is going to be excited about a Minnie Mouse/Mickey Mouse party. So I decided to make the change and I am so glad that I did!!!  She just LOVED it and was so excited to see anything that revolved around Minnie or Mickey.  I also though it would be fun to see if all the kids coming to the party had a Minnie or Mickey mouse shirt and they did so I asked if they could wear it.  I will never forget how excited Elsie was when the jackets would come off and she would see that they were wearing a Minnie or Mickey mouse shirt!  Pure Joy!

From Left To Right:  Danny, Piper, Allie, Olivia, Emma, Elsie, Cayden and Aubrey

The Minnie Mouse theme just didn't end with the decorations or shirts, Elsie received so many wonderful gifts, many of them featuring none other than Minnie Mouse.

Like a Minnie Mouse Robe and pajamas.

A large plush Minnie Mouse

and a Minnie Mouse dress.

Besides her Minnie Mouse gifts she received many others like this easel and accessories that go with it,  a Mickey and Minnie blanket made by Grandma Bev, books, clothes, a marble run, magnetic doll set, quite a few other things and from us she got...

A new bike, complete with a bell.  She LOVED it!  

A last minute change to the cake meant finding our own decorations.  

It all worked out though.  

We also had the brilliant idea to have a pinata.  Lets just say it got pretty dicey there for a while.  Next time I know we need a larger space.  Somehow we got lucky and no one got hurt.  

It was such a great party and a wonderful evening with family and friends.  

Elsie is so blessed to be surrounded by so many people that love her, so thank you all who came to celebrate!  

Oh and just a few pics of the decor: 

Goody Bags

The Birthday Banner 

Balloon Garland-oh and we discovered our amazing dining room can fit 16 people around tables comfortably.  

And I just have to add these pics of her playing with the easel the following morning.  

Happy 2nd Birthday Elsie!  We love you so much!