I absolutely can not believe we have just celebrated my baby little girl’s 2nd Birthday!  But we did and I am going to have to realize that yes, very soon, she will be getting on the bus to go to school…all by herself.  Until then, I will cherish days like these and capture them as best I can through pictures…when I get a minute to pick up the camera now and then that is.

As busy as I am with her, and with everything going on….between my camera and my iPhone camera, I have an enormous collection of images and video, and she JUST turned two.  How many pictures do WE have of ourselves before 2 years old?  Not many.  It’s incredible.

When I started thinking about a theme for her party, it wasn’t long before it just came into place.

We started drawing with her one day and one of the first things I drew was a heart.  Ever since then, she ran around the house saying ‘heart, heart, heart, heart’…so we keep drawing her hearts.  Then Valentines Day came, and there were hearts all over the house.  So, I decided that was our theme, and had so much fun picking up different things with hearts for her party.

Another day while we were out and about shopping, we came across this little pink owl on a shelf and she couldn’t let it go.  She even has to bring it to bed with her.  So, after that, it was ‘owl, owl, owl, owl’.    I put the two together, and voilla, so cute!  I even found owl/heart treat bags for the favors!

Next step, CAKE!  I already knew it had to be created by the amazing Gourmet Goodies bakery because they also did her smash cake last year and I was just completely in awe.  Did you SEE the cake?!  SO cute right?  And the taste?  mmmmm!  I asked for Almond flavor, and oh my goodness, what a hit.

So, the party was wonderful…it turned out exactly how I wanted it to for her.  She had a handful of friends, and her cousins come to play and enjoy the afternoon together.  We pretty much just watched them interact and have fun!  Opening up the living room by pushing the furniture to the walls was perfect…we had a snow tube to bounce on, a toddler slide, a sit n spin, riding toys, and a play house…plus lots of little things to pass around.

I love parties, and I was so happy to throw this one for my daughter.  Happy Birthday sweetheart ~ We love you! ♥

Birthday Girl!

Heart shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and smiley pancakes!

I made ‘cake pops’ for the first time, so cute!

I am SO lucky and thankful to have a picture of me with my daughter blowing out the candles…my friend and fellow photog picked up my camera and took some pictures for me…I love this one, so sweet!

Note to moms: Trying to get a group shot of active kids?  Turn on some loud music in the direction you want them to look, and snap that shutter FAST!

I love these pictures…on the left, Kayla is touching her Minnie balloon….she LOVES Minnie, and I focused on a hand made card just below.  And the little boy with the balloons…just so sweet.  Oh yeah, and it SNOWED!

All the kids started carrying her gifts around and playing together ♥

Bubbles!

HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY KAYLA!!