Every year (by every year I mean for two years now) I say we'll just have "a small family gathering" for Mason's birthday. The problem with that, is we have a lot of family. And it usually spans across a few days due to how many people there are and when family can get together, etc. I also tend to go overboard when I nail down a theme (anyone remember last year's robot theme?) so the few family bbq's we planned this year may have been a little excessive but when you start a couple months in advance 1) it doesn't seem like it costs that much since you buy a little when you see it and 2) by the time the birthday rolls around you pull out the supplies and realize you have too much....again. We were going to do dinosaurs this year, but a few months ago Mason really got into the movie Cars. Plus, with the Cars 2 movie that came out in June all the original Cars stuff was on clearance! Most of the stuff I made, got at the dollar store, or Party City for pretty easy themed birthday party(ies). Here are some pics:
Mason's actual birthday was Wednesday, when we got home from work on our doorstep was a box for him and some gifts from Grandma Rose and Aunt Jessica (Chuck's mom and sister) in Reno. Since we planned nothing on his actual birthday (bad of us) we let him open the gift which was a Cars book with map and figures and Lego Star Wars pajamas which he loved since we just got back from Legoland for his birthday.
Mason only knows a few kids, he invited his friend Braden that is babysat with him during the day, cousin Brayden, cousin Gavin and the Whitney kids, Sydney, Carter and Jackson that are kids of our great friends.
Some Car decorations, this is at my mom's house. Banner and balloon bouquet from Party City.
Wall cling, it was huge and only $5. Some Cars streamers and cars cut outs on the wall for 'picture' areas.
Sign for the front door to let guests know they found the spot. Chuck's co-worker had a Cars Cricut cartridge and I borrowed my sister Chelsey's cricut machine to cut out all the signs.
My favorite is Guido, or "baby car" as we call him in our house, I like how he says "Pit Stop" after nailing a pit stop in the big race at the end of the movie we probably watch 3x a week. Chocolate donuts as the tires.
Got the Cars napkins for .66 cents on clearance at Target one day, some confetti from Party City, and dollar store plates and tin pails to hold blue and red utensils also from the dollar store, small blue plates for dessert.
Centerpieces, from Party City again, few bucks for all of them, dollar store tablecloths.
Cars Cakes (served with whipped cream and strawberries since they are too intricate for me to decorate), pan from Williams Sonoma (they also have cute Cars aprons, cookie cutters and pancake molds too).
Bathroom sign, I amuse myself.
Before Saturday's party with Tow Mater, Sally and McQueen, our friends.
Mason with some of his birthday guests playing in the sandbox with their Cars toys.
Swimming at his party, it was hot and humid!
Cupcakes, cupcake tower holder from Party City as well as the cupcake picks.
Bagel Bites! I thought the kids might like little pizzas.
Strawberries, watermelon and blueberries.
Salad- lettuce mix, strawberries, candied walnuts, feta cheese and pomegranate raspberry dressing.
Mason loves Tow Mater so here he is with his Tater Salad.
The sign is small, but its Frank the columbine and says "Frank's burgers and franks", had hot dogs, hamburgers and the toppings.
Cupcake close up, I thought I had blue sprinkles but didn't and last minute used gray, red and black sugar.
Mack (the Semi Truck) and his Cars shaped Macaroni. Outside was "Flo's V8 Fuel" drink station.
Opening some gifts, he was spoiled. Its nice to have lots of new toys though since its so hot outside he's been busy playing with them non-stop indoors where its nice and cool! Mason got a car toddler bed, lots of books, puzzles, clothes, train set, Cars Legos, lots of Cars and toys, bike, and more!
His candles on a cupcake, he has learned to blow out fire on cakes now.
Eating a birthday cupcake.
The goody bags for the kids, got some Cars swim stuff at the dollar store (since it was a swim party) like beach balls, goggles, water gun, sand mold, bubbles, Cars cheez-its, Cars fun fruits, and Cars pop rocks in a Piston Cup bag I made.
Before church on Sunday, Mason took a nice long nap Saturday afternoon after the swimming and birthday fun he had, think all the partying wore him out! Eating a pop-tart on his way out the door, early church time.
On Sunday Grandpa and Grandma Wiley came over with Philip and Sheridan and we had another Cars themed BBQ with pie and ice cream at our house. Mason got a trike and these are his "racing goggles" to wear while cruising. He got more cars, toys, treats, pajamas and a Car towel. Anyone else think this little boy is far too spoiled for his own good?
Overall he had lots of fun and is understanding birthdays. He told everyone at the store the other day "I'm TWO!" holding up two fingers. He also is blowing on his food, pretending its candles and telling himself Happy Birthday after every meal. Some milestones: Mason can balance on one foot, build with Legos, count to 10 and spell his name without assistance, thanks his pre-school and nursery teachers after class, can name all his family and friends, and most importantly can name and identify R2-D2, Yoda and Darth Vader by sight. It seems like he learns several new words a day and since he can communicate more he is less frustrated trying to tell us what he wants. He loves cars and lining them up, looking at them, crashing them and racing them and is now really getting to like trains. He likes swimming, dirt, and riding bikes and of course running outside is something he loves. He will read 100 books in a row if you keep on reading to him. He applauds after taking the sacrament and after musical numbers or hymns at church which is funny. We will see what this next year holds! Happy Birthday to our sweet little boy that we love and can't imagine life without him! What did we ever do before having him? Probably napped and had a clean house I suppose!
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