Simon's Second Birthday Party

On the 15th of June we had Simon's 2nd Birthday Party. Everyone chipped in and helped make the day a great success. Jenn did the decorations and cupcakes, Colleen did the food shopping, Ken, Cindy and Alan gardened and cleaned up the house. My job was to make to-do lists and send the invites. Easy!

Choo Choo, Simon is 2!! 

First things first... Simon did NOT nap. Everyone was too reved up. When we let him come downstairs he totally loved the decorations, he just pointed and kept saying 'there!' and 'dat!' with a big smile.  We got him fed and put him in his engineer costume.

Oh, dat!

Engineer costume from Auntie Awneen

We had about 20 people come celebrate, a great group of folks. Lots of fun and snacks, then we had cupcakes, Simon blew out his candle like a champ and we opened presents. It was quite a trick to take the presents away from him as soon as he opened them he wanted to play with every one he opened and we sort of had to force him to open the next. As a result we saved family gifts and opened them throughout the next week (last one opened on Friday).

So many pictures and videos after the jump.

Train theme with a banner and everything!

Spending some quality time with Gaga before getting ready for the party

I'm watching you, PopPop

Lunchtime before the party

At the negotiating table with Daddy, trying to agree on how many more pieces of chicken Simon
should eat before playing with the balloons more.

3.5 Basques are ready for a party

Thug Life

Engineer Simon checks out the decorations

Simon showing off his photo book to Kyla (3) and Holden (3).

Time for the cupcake. He blew it out on his own!

We call this one "Toddler near Open Flame"

Simon blew out the candle on the first try.  All that practice of blowing on his hot food to cool it off helped.
I quickly removed the hot wax candle.

Simon enjoys his frosting with just a touch of cupcake

Simon, Holden, and Kyla enjoy their cupcakes

Tell me again why I can't have these every day?

Simon was too excited to sit still and finish his cupcake.  

Showing a birthday card to Mama and Gaga

Simon handed each piece of torn off wrapping paper from this present to Joe for safekeeping

Mama helps Simon with a tricky piece of paper while Kyla supervises

Colleen models Simon's new hat while he tackles another present

Where'd Simon go?? (Spoiler: he's in the tent)

Bye bye Kyla!  We'll miss you

The weather cleared up in the afternoon so after presents we went outside

Jenn shows off her bubble dance act

Gaga helping Simon keep his burger together

Applesauce popsicle time!

Wow that's cold!!

SO TIRED.

Three generations of Basque men

So full of energy! Could it have been the cupcake!?

Still chasing balloons right before bedtime

For posterity, here are the folks that came: Emily, Alan, Simon, Ken, Cindy, Colleen, Joe, Jenn, Vickie, Sarah, Arjun, Scott, April, Juliana, Holden (3), Kendra, Keyla (3), Kedsey (8m), Joanna.