Elise's Second Birthday

Elise had a birthday! This sweet kid turned two on Saturday. I can't believe how grown up my baby has gotten.

Thanks for the cute outfit, Aunt Bridget!

We had a lot of fun celebrating Elise's birthday. Holly and her family came, as did a couple kids from church.

(I only posted pictures of Elise and my sister's kids, though, in case the other parents don't want their kids' photos on this blog.)

Elise had a Sesame Street themed party, with an emphasis on Elmo. She loves Elmo's World (as seen on youtube and library DVD's since we don't have a TV), and would watch it every day if we let her.

We started out with some bubbles.

the tables, all ready for the kids to make Fruit Loop necklaces

Elise and Daddy

My hair is crazy from running around (while 8 and a half months pregnant), but I still love this picture because Elise makes me laugh.

Savannah making her Big Bird necklace with Fruit Loops

Hudson really wanted to get to the presents.

Elise in her Cookie Monster necklace

munching and stringing

Then we played place the nose on Elmo. There was a lot of peeking going on. :)

This was supposed to be Ernie's duck pond, but the cheap little ducks I got didn't sit up. Oh, well.

The kids seemed to like it anyway.

Savannah and Leighton choosing ducks

Ryland picking his duck

There were also some other activities, including a musical dots game where the kids had to stop when the Sesame Street music stopped, and then they got candy.

the spread, including Dorothy and friends goldfish crackers and Cookie Monster's cookies

the Elmo cake I made

(which, thankfully, turned out much better than last year's disaster of a cake)

and Elmo cupcakes

Happy birthday to Elise!

blowing out the candles

It was awesome to watch Elise rip into her presents. She was very good at ripping the paper off.

She loves that little CapriSun bag in the background. This present was a set of blocks. Both were from a friend.

Elmo's World DVD

play birthday cake set from Aunt Holly and family

fingerpaints from Aunt Bridget and family

ABC book (and Target gift card) from Aunt Paige and family

Little people airplane

baby doll that can go in the tub

Elmo toy with buttons, snaps, zippers, etc. from Grandma and Grandpa

cute doll with a bowl and sippy cup, from another friend

enjoying the balloons

She also has a balloon with Elmo's face on it that she loves.

Hudson enjoyed the balloons too.

Thanks to those of you who came to the party! We had fun celebrating with you. And a special thank you to Holly and family. I don't know how we could have done it without you guys.

Happy birthday again, Elise. You bring so much joy to our family, and we're so blessed to have had the opportunity to be your mom and dad these past two years. We love you!