Ayden's Second 2nd Birthday Party

It seems appropriate that when you turn two you get two parties =)  The first was really just recognition of his real birthday day...but it did have balloons, presents and birthday cake.

Last Saturday though, we celebrated Ayden again...only this time we had lots of friends, way too many presents (despite evite saying no presents!), and cupcakes!

It was awesome.  The kids had so much fun playing together it made me feel officially old. Our lives will now revolve around the kids, their activities and their friends.  No more fitting them into our routine and lives...it is now all about them (well, really just Ayden right now as Gavin is super flexible and not too opinionated yet ;) ).

There was a great turn out and the weather held for the most part - a little on the windy side though!

Most important, the birthday boy was in heaven.  Ayden spent two hours straight playing with his friends.  He checked in with mom every so often, but mostly he didn't even know we were there!!

Ayden played with Syd and Camden Soloway all afternoon.  I nannied for those two starting when Camden was 6 weeks old!!  Syd is now 9 and Camy almost 6 - holy cow!!  And now they are playing with my 2 year old....just thinking about it all makes my head spin.  WHERE.....HAS....THE.....TIME....GONE?!?!?

Here is the handsome bday boy.  If you notice in his hand he has a Thomas The Train.  Well that was the theme of the party [I'd like to say because Ayden loves Thomas - which he does - but mostly because that was the theme of my nephew Zane's 2 yr old party we threw him...and well...hey, we have two kids now...we have to recycle and reuse!!] But, back to the train in his hand.  That was actually a decoration on the cake.  I made the amateur mommy mistake of showing Ayden the cake before it was time to have cake and faster than you can blink the train was ripped off and he was begging for birthday cake!  Thankfully, the train was the only collateral damage and the cake stayed intact until we were ready.

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This is Ayden's friend Audrey.  If you are an avid reader you will remember her from the pumpkin patch farm posting.  Can you believe how big she is!?!  AND, she is going to be a BIG SISTER soon ;)

Audrey gives Taylor a BIG hug!  Then Taylor finds Audrey's eyes.

ADORABLE!

Can you feel the love??

Ooooh and here is my little man!  All bundled and ready to come out of his stroller and meet the guests.

CUPCAKE TIME!!

Shyla did an AWESOME job on the cupcake.  She sat down so nicely and just went to town.  Believe it or not she ate the whole thing!!

This picture occurred just after Candice and Taylor flew off the end of the slide.  Doesn't it just scream.."I LOVE being a Mom!!!" =)

Then Ayden thought it would be nice to share his demolished cupcake with his (yes I'm going to say it) girlfriend Taylor.

You may be thinking, oh how nice he is sharing! But really he was done and looking for a place to dispose of it.  Hey...it's a start!

Despite the horrible wind, GGJ made it out to meet her fourth great grand child!!!  Gavin was completely content and snug as a bug in a rug in her arms. 4 generations under one ramada - we are one lucky family.

And so Ayden's second year was celebrated with friendship, love, laughter and play!  All things we wish each and every year of Ayden's life will be filled to the brim with.

Thank you to everyone who came and made Ayden's day special.  And to those who couldn't make it, we really missed you =(

On the drive home the utterly exhausted little man says out of nowhere..... "I'm Happy!"

What more can a parent wish for??