Cora's Fishy 2nd Birthday

Our dear Cora is 2.5 years old now. Her toddler days are long gone, she has turned into a little girl right in front of our eyes. We did however celebrate her 2nd birthday, umm... 6 months ago... and I just had time to go through the photos! She looks so much smaller in these photos, just barely talking and looking so sweet. It feels like we just had her one year birthday- with lots of polka dots and turquoise... and now we are planning Henry's tree-huggin first birthday party, eesh...time flies. So here is her very fishy second birthday party.

I chose to do a fish theme, because fish are her favorite. We did blue and orange everything, not sure how I keep on choosing bronco colors- but unconsciously it happens. Nana and Papa Hamilton helped me to cut out blue and orange paper goldfish that I sewed together into a garland. Blue and orange balloons in sets of two. And Cora's favorite "2" balloon I wasn't sure if it would freak her out, being about her size- but she loved it.

Nana Pacotti made an adorable fishy cake. Pretend aquarium plants? Awesome. I had Matt drill some holes in a couple of plastic goldfish figurines from Michaels. Ta-da! Fish candle holders!

Lots of goldfish crackers in fish bowls, Swedish fish candies, mimosas and a super tasty sausage egg cheese casserole for this relaxing brunch birthday.

I couldn't find a fishy dress anywhere, so I sewed a cute little tunic out of goldfish fabric by hoodie. It turned out quite cute, however for all of the work I put into it- I'd much rather buy already made clothes. (She still loves it though, 6 months later...thanks cora for humoring me)

Cora found some fishing friends- Papa Bob and Uncle Kyle. This was a super cheap fishing set that you hook the plastic fish...quite challenging for a kid but fun, it was from Gordman's.

 ...and even more fishing friends. Even shark was invited to her fishy birthday and lion chillin' in the kids chair, soaking up some sun and chickie about to get into some chalk-fun.

She even managed to get Henry fishing with the help of Papa John. He almost caught a big one too!

 6 month henry... in his fish romper...relaxing post-morning nap, so sleepy.

She had so much love and tons of gifts from her grandparents and aunt Kelsey and uncle Kyle. It was a wonderfully relaxing birthday.

Happy 2nd birthday little sweets.

Our tater tot is born!!

[welcome to the world henry oaks]

 

Henry was born Tuesday, October 29th 2013 at 1:10 pm.

He was 8 pounds 10 ounces and 20.5" tall.

He is perfect and healthy, and definitely all boy.

He is eating well, adjusting nicely into our little family and just a content little guy.
I can't wait to tell you all about him, this has been a completely new and wonderful experience for us all.

 

Cora's 1st Birthday Party

We had a wonderful first birthday party for Cora. Now, we spent a lot of time planning this party...a bunch of family came into town to celebrate... but this weekend may have been one of cora's least favorite. Separation anxiety?! Yeah, probably too many people with all of the focus on her... the only kid. Oh well, we loved it, our family loved it... and she liked most of it.

oh yea... her friends were invited too.

 

The theme of Cora's party was polka dot and turquoise. She had a beautiful dress sewn by her grandma...in turquoise polka dots of course.

We had little round sliders, funfetti cake ball pops, little round cora-cake, melon ball salad, round pasta salad, veggie cups, bowls of skittles and m&ms and of course the super tasty crunchy coleslaw.

 

 

We had her monthly photos printed out, and strung on some ribbon on the wall... 1 month-12 months. What a trip.

 

For Cora's birthday present from us, we made her a busy board. I will post more on that later. But we installed it on our living room wall, for the big reveal at her party. It was a hit. So fun. See her beautiful dress?!

She liked the candle on her cake, I blew it out for her. I was worried that she would freak out with the birthday song... but she did great. And ate her cake, quite daintily.

She had glorious presents from our family and friends... she opened them up really well too! I was so proud of her... so much better than at Christmas when she was 8 months old.

 a little croquet, a little sports toss

 

 a little drinking...minus 2 of us.

 

the running shot. from grandpa p.

 

We finished off the party with some croquet. Cora's first birthday complete. Our little girl is growing up. It was a blast to plan her party, and it was a success! Thank you family and friends for helping us pull off her first birthday party, ever!

1st birthday invitations...

Oh, the invitations are here!! Gosh, she melts my heart.

Want to see? I threw it together... took some photos on our dinning room floor, where she was playing hide and seek with the curtains, that she pulled down from the windows. Then printed them on vistaprint. So affordable! And exactly what I wanted. I looked at all of the cute websites- minted, shutterfly, tiny prints- so cute for 1st birthday invites, but I unfortunately already came up with what I wanted the card to say- little less traditional, and wordy. So, I had to make my own design... and voila. (We DIY-ed our wedding invites back in the day...but I didn't really want to print these ourselves, I'm still tired from 3 yrs ago) Vista print had a great price- $8.99 for 20! In a fun size too... 4x8, with envelopes. Awesome.

Grown-up 1st birthday party...watch out. More polka dots to come. And a home-brew...and spiked limeade?! Hmmm....