Elmo party!!

As mentioned previously I dreaded the primary color infusion that comes with having kids. I've fought it. I even make sure to hide the primary colored toys behind the more stylish ones so that the first ones we play with (read: leave out all over the place) aren't the dreadful plastic primary ones.

Then she fell in love with Sesame Street. There isn't much you can do to avoid primary colors when you go the Sesame Street route so out of love for our precious cupcake, we did it. Loud, proud, primary!!!

For her 2nd birthday I wanted the day to be about HER. Here's a few things I knew it had to be for it to be her:
1. Small - she isn't shy but she also doesn't love big crowds. The fewer people around, the more "herself" she is.
2. Sesame street - she loves it. It's the only tv we watch and we only watch the last 15 minutes (the Elmo portion) so I guess I can't blame her for having a preference to Sesame.
3. Playful and detailed - she is SOOOO detailed. You can not, don't even try, to pull one on her. You spill - she calls you on it, you toot - she excuses you, a rolly polly crosses her path - she notices. So, the more details...the more she would enjoy it.

How did I do those things:
1. Small - I asked her everyday for one week who she wanted at her birthday party. I didn't prompt, manipulate, or lead. I just made notes. It was the same few names everyday. It was hard because I know there are other sweet friends she would have liked to have there too but then it would be big....and we were going for small. SO - sidenote shout out to the handful of friends who must be wondering why you didn't hear about her party this year. We still love you!

2. Sesame street - shirts, bags, cake, plates, napkins. We went Sesame!!!

3. Playful and detailed - I made most of it and tried to think of exactly how the show goes. Here's some pictures (click for larger view):

Sign says "Elmo loves his goldfish, his crayons too, now you can take them home with you" which is from the Elmo song. Inside the bag among other things were sesame crayons that I melted down in the faces of various Sesame friends (why I did not take pictures, I don't know) and goldfish snacks. I considered sending everyone home with a pet goldfish and then realized I might be the cool mom to the kids and the enemy to my friends :).


Fun candy and a GOLDFISH!! Elmo wouldn't be complete without his beloved fish, Dorothy. Each day on the show the figurine in her bowl reflects the theme of the day. We thought a "2" was appropriate. Our detailed cupcake knew right away that this was a "Birthday Dorothy!"


Birthday banner! Thanks to my mother in law who gave me a Sesame Street cricut cartridge for Christmas, I was able to make this fun birthday banner. It stayed up for weeks. Cupcake loved it!

C's and 2's! Of course everyday on Sesame street there is a number of the day and letter of the day! We had these little 2's and C's everywhere for our cupcake's party!


And finally, just a few others from the party:

The cake. Thanks Gigi for the last minute helping on icing this baby!!


Lighting up to sing. Cupcake had a special party hat from Aunt Sheri:


When everyone sang Happy Birthday to our sweet girl she was so excited that it was fINALLy her day that she kept pointing to herself saying "to me" "to me" during the song. She also did a rock star job blowing out her candles. When she woke up from nap she said "Mommy, I love birthday parties." I think it was a success and most of all it was fun for this crew who loves her so much (shirts made by me!):


Happy Birthday again sweet Cupcake! We hope your day was as special as you are! We love you.