I think every mother wants to give their kids the biggest birthday party every year. I know I do. I would love for the entire world to celebrate Will…to open their arms to him, embrace everything he is, and be overjoyed at the fact that he exists. And at the forefront of the celebration brigade, I would hold the baton – leading the way…shouting praises for such a wonderful gift…with tears of joy falling down my cheeks over the fact that I get to be a part of his life. It’s a mother’s way. and in my book, that’s called love.
All that to say, when Jeremy and I decided that this year’s birthday party for Will would be a small family gathering, I was kinda disappointed. I blame the gift-giver in me. I want to give him huge expensive Diddy style parties every year…but this time, it was a good reminder that sometimes bigger just means bigger…and that better means being present and giving him the best that I can….which in this case was surrounding him with people he absolutely knows and loves…
forgive me for all that mom-vomit…
with much excitement, here is Will’s 2nd very Hoppy Birthday party…
With his birthday falling on Easter this year, we decided to run with the springtime Eastery theme with a Saturday afternoon lunch.
I like how Will’s cake topper looks like a bunny crossing a finish line while holding up a 2 with his ears 🙂
As for food, we went with simple finger foods…turkey & ham pinwheels, veggies & dip (a bunnies favorite), sliders, and fresh fruit. Oh and yes, those are peeps on skewers. I also splurged on fancy soda’s – Stewart’s makes one mean Orange n Cream 🙂
The decorations were super simple – a couple yards of $2 a yard discount fabric with some cheap balloons and some chalk eggs (they were a gift from Will’s baby girlfriend – Clara. I can always count on Sherry for decor help!)…
I also included a little white ceramic bunny that was in my Easter decor box, a photo of the main man (he was 4 days old there! Awww!) and a little dish of candies…because let’s face it, I wanted this party to be sweet.
Sorry – I have cheese flowing through my veins.
Oh and I made one of those egg garlands from old paint chips (mine were old Color Place swatches I had in my giant stash) and I just cut three eggs per strip and strung them together using yarn. It was tedious but I figure I can use it for years to come.
Here is the birthday boy showing how old he is. That’s how he does ‘two’….with ice slobber on his shirt…the number four requires him to take off his shoes 🙂
We ate outside under the deck on the patio. It was absolutely perfect weather.
Also – I love this photo of my dad. This is how he looks when he is content. I’ve seen him stressed for many years (it’s part of being a small business owner and having a daughter like me)…so it’s nice to see him looking like he’s breathing 🙂
I always forget to take candid photos – but I love this one. My mom in true Italian fashion talking with her hands…my sister laughing with food in her mouth…empty plates and full hearts.
After eating, I had arranged an Easter egg hunt for Will & Cole. I color coded the eggs so that it would be more challenging for Cole. And all the eggs had a little slip of paper inside so that they could redeem their number for a certain prize – coins, candy, or toys.
We were all shouting ‘over here’ and ‘look this way’ and ‘I see one!’ – it was hilarious and chaotic and fun.
Will had a serious look on his face the entire time…it was business time picking up these eggs.
After the eggs were redeemed and the money was counted and the grown-ups were exhausted from doing nothing, we headed down for some carrot cake action (it is a bunny-easter-themed party afterall – carrot cake is a must!).
I replaced the center peep with a candle…I also threw in a bunch more candles – because let’s face it – when you are two, blowing is REALLY fun.
Will enjoying ice cream and cake with his new matchbox cars.
Not to toot my own horn…but the cake didn’t stink. I made it from a couple box mixes and just used cream cheese icing…and from a notorious ‘Burner’ – me and Betty Crocker did a mighty fine job.
After the hunt, the boys played with their cars and the bigger boys played basketball.
I did manage to snap a decent family photo….
Oh and then we opened presents. Will got so many cars that I think I should start calling him Jay Leno.
Oh and because this is sortof birthdayish themed – let’s not underestimate the power of balloons…even half deflated ones.
They are probably more fun than any ‘real present’…same applies to boxes, packing peanuts, kitchen utensils, toilet paper and anything that comes in an aerosol can.
Happy Birthday Will. And I promise that every single day I am that crazy lady marching out front pumping my baton in the air, proud to call you my son. If you are thirteen and reading this – well, I’m sorry that I love you to a slow death of embarrassment 🙂 You are better than bacon my honey. And your daddy and I love you. We love you, we love you, we love you.
Happy Birthday little Will!! It looks like you all had a wonderful day celebrating! I love the spring decorations. You give me so many great ideas for when I get to become a Momma! I can’t wait!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL!
So much fun! Glad Will had a great birthday! And you are right, too often, bigger is just bigger.
Also love the whole family pic, but your sister looks like she is keeping a secret. She has that certain wryly smile on her face… Is she pregnant?
Beautiful! I hope that Will grows up to know just how much you love every ounce of him! What a great mom you are 🙂
Happy birthday Will. What a wonderful way to celebrate your beautiful boy.
Side note: Where did you get your shirt? I am pregnant too and hating most typical maternity clothes I love to find outfits like yours that can still make the bump look hip and chic.
So sweet. You look adorable in your outfit, I want it! I can tell you guys are amazing parents by the smile full of love that Will shines. What a great party and the Jay Leno comment made me burst out laughing.
Lovely…as always! But more important – I LOVE YOUR DRESS! Spill all the details please!
You did such an amazing job on the party!!! Happy 2nd birthday, Will!!! Love your awesomeness and simplicity!! :))
Precious, Katie! Love the decorations and Easter theme. What a great party. Hoppy birthday to Will!
So sweet! Happy 2nd Birthday, Will! 🙂
What a great birthday party, Katie! All the details looked great, and your love for Will is oh-so-evident. What a great mom you are.
Haha…it’s a goodwill find – I think it was $5 or $6. I think it’s originally jcrew.
xo – kb
Katie, you always throw the cutest parties. I loved the egg garland and the bunny theme! Happy birthday to your Will!!
It’s actually a JCrew dress – I found it at Goodwill (hooray for uber-cheapness!)
xo – kb
Not that I know of! It would definitely be a surprise to us all 🙂
xo – kb
Such a sweet party! I love the egg garland. Small parties can be the most memorable and special.
Also, I LOVE your outfit! Where did you get your yellow top?
Ha! I just saw the above comment where you said your top is from Goodwill. Bummer. 🙂
Hi Katie,
Of all the pictures, my favorite is the one when Will is sitting on your lap. Yes, your eyes are closed, but Will looks so happy to be sitting there on your lap and opening presents 🙂 Why is this my favorite? Well because he is holding each of your thumbs with his chubby little fingers. There is something so poignant, and touching about that, I can’t stop looking at it!
I can see just the close up (in b&w or sepia) of your hands (yours and Will’s) and with the background faded out in a pretty picture frame somewhere in your house. With you being such a talented photog, I am sure that it is coming soon!! 🙂
Love,
-Bonnie.
Such a cute party and Will looks handsome and grown as ever. You are looking fabulous too Katie! Happy Birthday Will 🙂
Man that party looks awesome! Can you be my party planner for my sons next birthday. 🙂 Happy Birthday Will!!
Such a sweet post and a cute Spring/Easter/Birthday themed party. Love the little egg garland from paint chips and your color-coordinated outfit—you always look so cute!
What did you make the bunting cake topper out of? My sister is getting married and probably wants to do something like this for her wedding cake and I’m sure she’d love to know what you used.
Ann
Hoppy Birthday Will 🙂
Everything looks wonderful.
My own son turned 16 on Sunday – falling on Easter it wasn’t the “blow out” party he was hoping for! But he is on spring break – who else gets a week off for their birthday 🙂
nice- I was wondering about that, too! LOVE gray and yellow, you look great- happy birthday to your little man! What a cute party- that finish-line bunny on the cake is awesome. 🙂
What a sweet post about Will! I love the way you write and put words into sentences I just wish I had the talent! The party looked like a blast and even though simple I still think it was AMAZING!
what a sweet day. and being the pregnant hormonal mess that i am…i cannot contain my tears. my little girl will be 2 in 5 months and i echo your thoughts of the mom parade! i couldn’t have said it better myself. thanks for sharing! and happy birthday to will!
that looked like a very sweet birthday. Also i really love that yellow tunic/ dress you were wearing. where is it from?
there you go… making me tear up at work…
…i can totally relate:
“…proud to call you my son. If you are thirteen and reading this – well, I’m sorry that I love you to a slow death of embarrassment 🙂
What a sweet, SWEET post!! Captures a mother’s love perfectly! Such a precious boy you have!! Love him to pieces!!!
Happy Birthday Will!!! What a great birthday party- love all of your details!
What a cute party! It looks like Will (and everyone else for that matter) had a wonderful time!
It looks like he had the PERFECT party! You guys made a good call. 🙂 We usually do a huge party, but this year (for our son’s 3rd) we are downsizing a bit. We want to enjoy him more by not having to entertain 40+ guests.
BTW- Your outfit is beyond adorable!! Where did you get that awesome shirtdress?!
Happy Birthday, Will!!
Nevermind!! Sorry, I just read it was a Goodwill find. No need to re-answer that question a dozen times! 😛
Love it! In my family, it was tradition to do a big party every other year. It made it more special and you had two years to look forward to the next one! Thank you for sharing.
When Will was born I was 2 months pregnant with my baby boy. So, since you were all about baby posts I could not get enough of your blog at the time (and still cannot!). But even better than that, Will was born on my Birthday as well. I doubt, I will ever forget Mr. Will Bower on April 8th. I even sent up a silent prayer at church knowing, you and your family would be gathering to celebrate his special day!
Happy Birthday, Will. April 8th, is a good day for Birthdays!
Aww! Happy Birthday, Will! He is just so stinkin’ precious! I love his dark little eyes and squishy cheeks. 🙂 If he and Clara ever “break-up,” we can arrange a marriage with my daughter. 😉
Happy birthday Will!!! What a fun and adorable party. I love the details.
I couldn’t help but notice your hair. Is it naturally curly? It looks great both curly and straight. No fair! 🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WILL! I love the baton-twirling analogy!
Such a great post!! My son just turned 1, and I was the same way wanting to plan this huge blowout but I thought what is everyone going to remember most….Being together and enjoying a messy cake eating 1 year old! I love the theme, its super cute! Happy Birthday Will!
I love it!!
Happy birthday to your little guy – everything looks wonderful 🙂 So funny that I guessed it correctly.
If you want, you can check out my daughters 6th birthday party here: http://www.heartsweethome.com/?p=822
Hugs to you and your family!
Love it! Hoppy Birthday, Will! You are adorable and we ALL celebrate you 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Katie – love all the party details!
Your personal posts never cease to make me choke up (happy tears of course) and LOVE the pic of your dad. So natural and calm.
I love the idea of making a garland out of paint chips. I notice a lot of peeps these days making art out of them. Do you just go to Home Depot and grab a butt load of them when no one is looking?
And you look adorable.
Happy Birthday, Will!!! Aaack, Katie, I love the egg garland, and your dress (OMG!) you are glowing! It looks like you guys had a great party–everyone looks happy and content. Yay!
Such a cute party & Happy Birthday to Will!!! So Katie, I am not a creeper but I think your parents might go to my church. 🙂 I have been following your blog for a long time and love reading it and when your mom asked if she could sit in the seat next to mine on Easter, I said yes but had to do multiple double takes because I just knew she was your mom! Your dad came in a little later and then I just kept thinking, “Oh my gosh, Katie Bower’s parents are right next to me.” My husband and I live in Bethlehem & go to church in Snellville so unless your parents have twins, it was them. 🙂 It was pretty cool but I am always hoping that I will run into you in Goodwill or something. 🙂 Sorry if this seems mega creeper alert but I just had to say something!
Looks like a perfect party for a 2 year old – I love the close family b-day parties 🙂
My son’s first birthday is this week and I’m gearing up for his party on Sunday. Thanks for all the inspiration. But my favorite picture is the one with 2 chubby little toddler fingers 🙂 They’re the best!
Happy 2nd B-day Will!! My daughter’s B-day is the same as Will’s and her 2nd b-day was on Easter too. She just turned 7. 🙁 They grow up too fast.
Happy Birthday Little Man!
Love the tablescape! Our little one’s first birthday is in June so I’m in brainstorming mode. Thanks for the inspiration!
It looks like the small party was a hit! Where did you get your lime shirt? Its adorable.
What a sweet sweet sweet (and photogenic) party! The people too, definitely, but I meant even just the decor, food, setting. Way to keep it simple and sweet, Katie!
Such a precious post, Katie. I couldn’t help but smile the entire time. You did a fab job with the decor, cake, and everything else. By the way, that yellow shirt (dress?) looks amazing on you – where did you snag it? I’m trying to get brave and incorporate something other than grey or black, especially with summer coming along. Hope you are doing well and nausea-free so far. 🙂
Ha, never mind. I scrolled up and saw your response about the dress. Thanks!
I was going to ask the same question about your adorable outfit – maternity shopping on like no budget is not fun and I wish I could go shopping with you. You have mad goodwill skills that I envy. I love me some goodwill but I never have much luck. You look great and I can’t wait to follow you through baby #2.
Happy Birthday to baby #1!
Now I’m off to goodwill with a renewed sense of success…
Katie…loving the party decor. Still looks like work. I am like you with the parties wanting to go all out. I plan for six months and then do all the decor, favors, and food myself for 12 kids and 20 something adults. One year was petting zoo at the house and carnival the next. My husband says all the other kids have more fun and get more loot because everyone has more than one child. Yes, my daughter has fun but don’t know when I will put that much work into a party again. Thus year we did a two week vacation to northern and southern California including Disneyland. I loved the family vacation more than anything. I failed to mention that my daughter and I share the same birthday! Smaller is better. The one thing I hate about big parties are the gifts. So much stuff! What kid needs all that stuff. I end up regiving half of it. Beautiful pics. I am jealous because you are not showing (I would look like I am 6 months by now. We are still trying). Cute outfit! Happy bday Will! Love your virtual Auntie!
It’s a JCrew dress I scored for cheap at Goodwill 🙂
xo – kb
haha…that’s cool!
xo – kb
Oh heck no. I used to ask the paint guys if I could make my own paint decks…and they always said yes because I was constantly buying paint 🙂 I think there is definitely an ethical boundary there – even with freebies – so to be safe, you should always ask permission.
xo – kb
That is how it looks ‘scrunched’…so it is naturally wavy…not curly like my sisters…although most days it is just frizzy 🙂
xo – kb
Katie! What a super cute outfit you had on!!
Adorable party Katie. I’m with you – I love a big birthday party, but having your loved ones close is what makes it best. Love the baby photo in the frame – he’s grown up so fast!
Me and Betty Crocker are going to make a cake for Chloe’s party too. Hope it turns out as well as yours 😉
It’s a goodwill score – but I think it was originally JCrew.
xo – kb
Looks like a sweet, precious time with your family! 🙂
Happy Birthday Will!!
Love the simplicity of the party and not spending too much money.
Plus, you are absolutely glowing. Yellow must be your color…oh and being pregnant helps too 😉
It’s from skewers & some thread & an old paint swatch from True Value – they have ones that are giant stickers – so I just cut the diamonds out, folded them in half and stuck them to themselves 🙂
xo – kb
I’m an idiot. Just scrolled back up and it looks like chopsticks, yarn/thread and what…little triangle pieces of paper?
This is a soo soo sweet post!! And we all know how much work it takes to even organize a “small” “simple” party…haha…It’s amazing how that works. I’m glad you really took the time to smell the roses and the party looks like it was WONderful!
I so love your comment about your Daddy! My Dad is a small business owner and has been stressed all his life, as well. I always cherish the days when he really truly lets go and has a great time!
Will looks so happy and loved 🙂 Happy Birthday little man!
You look adorable, and the party looks perfect. Maybe it wasn’t big, but it was lovely. Seems ideal for a two year old birthday. 🙂
Happy birthday to Will! The party was sooo cute! Also, I love your wavy hair – it really becomes you.
adorable and perfect! what a lovely family and such handsome 2 year old 🙂
Sweet post Katie! The party looked like it was simple, lovely, perfect.
What a precious birthday party! You are so creative. There is no better way to celebrate a birthday than with family. Will is just the cutest little fella. Happy Birthday to Will! By the way, you look fantastic!
What a sweet birthday post! Happy Birthday Will!! I think the simple decorations looked great. You always do such a wonderful job setting up your tables/food displays.
So adorable! Love the 2 pointer fingers 🙂 I grappled with throwing my son a “big” Birthday party as well…it’s hard when 2 of your great loves are your child + entertaining! http://vtmamateurs.com/2012/02/23/super-sweet-1st-birthday/
Wow already 2!! Seriously get him off the pacifier look how bad his overbite is..his teeth are starting to look just like yours..geez!
A perfect party. Better then bacon…. I love it.
What a cute party….and cute outfit on yourself might I add! Where did you get your gray leggings and dress??? You’re glowing =)
Awwww what a simple but sweet birthday party! Soooo cute! Goes to show even the simplest parties can still be super stylish and beautiful!
Happy Birthday Will! What a sweet party. I love the decorations, the spread and your outfit! My little guy will be 2 on 5/22 – I’m sure I’ll be incorporating some of your ideas into his big day.
I too celebrated a birthday on Easter with homemade carrot cake. My birthday is the 14th, but given the family gathering for Easter I was sung to and showered with gifts a week early.
Happy birthday to Will! Looks like a lovely simple gathering – that I know still took a lot of work! For me, just cleaning up the house is a task. And THANK YOU for making his cake from a mix. Keeping it real! Sometimes observing women’s wonderful talents on blogs can be overwhelming because you forget that each person has different talents and it seems like some people have all of them. So thank you!
(I also made my son’s first birthday cupcakes from mixes…full time grad school + full time mommying = no way I was making those from scratch)
I thought for a second that Will and I shared a birthday (today!) when I saw the title of the post, but close enough. Happy birthday to your little man
love these pics! Now you have to post the St. Lucie photos asap!!
Katie – I just wanted to say how absolutely glowingly gorgeous you look in these photos! Love the bright dress with leggings, so cute!
I noticed the dog butt in your family pic….is this your dog or a party guest? I don’t think I ever remember you posting about pets.
The leggings are from Walmart and the dress is Goodwill – originally Jcrew.
xo – kb
Well if this isn’t the sweetest thing since chocolate covered bacon I don’t know what is! Happy Birthday Will! Thanks for sharing K-bow. Yep, that just happened 🙂
Katie I know sometimes you worry about being a good mother. This post just proves how lucky Will is to have you (and the rest of the fam). I bet this party was just perfect!
We already transitioned him off the paci so hopefully they will move a straighter position soon! As for mine – the paci is like crack man…I just can’t quit it 🙂
xo – kb
That’s Will’s special doggie cousin – Jack Bower 🙂
xo – kb
I love that you did not to a “cheesy ” theme…(not that there isn’t anything wrong with them, I just think parents get sucked into the whole matchy match theme party) My kid loves Thomas and Transformers but it does not mean I’m going all out. Kids dont really care for all that…
A perfect reply to a perfectly rude comment!
I forgot to mention what I loved about you party decor….love the framed photo of the bday boy.
I think Will is perfect! But your teeth Katie…Holy moly. That is another story! 😉
Darling – absolutely darling – your son, the party, the family and you.
Katie! What a sweet birthday party for will! I love the egg garland & peeps on skewers…. totally stealing that 🙂
How far along are you now? How are you feeling?
I would love a pregnancy update post! I am due in October with my first, we can be preggie buddies 🙂
Oh my goodness what a perfect little party! The photos are gorgeous (doesn’t hurt that the natural light was beautiful!). I am impressed with the food and decorations and I don’t even know you. 🙂
Girl, you are gorgeous and glowing! You are wonderful mother too – I can tell even just from this post. Keep it up. You are doing a fantastic job!
Happy Birthday Will!! Hos party looks great – Even if iot was small, you can see it was filled with love! Plus Katie – You look fabulous, love the hair, the yellow dress & grey tights!
What an incredibly rude thing to say to someone, let alone their child. Why take the time to post just to make someone feel bad? I may be misjudging the situation, and if you are a friend of Katie’s just yanking her chain, I apologize.
On a better note, Katie the party looks too cute. I love how much you guys love your boy. It is not hard to see what great parents you both are.
I think that Crystal is serious…
xo kb
that picture of your husband and the balloons and upside-down-will is super cute. i love that the picture is so colourful and happy. you should print that one out!
Happy Birthday, Will! I love everything about his party! My little guy’s birthday may very well fall on Easter in the future so I will have to remember your “hoppy” birthday theme! 🙂
You need to start a thrifting business. I don’t how it would work… charge people a commission for what you find thrifting which kinda defeats the purpose of thrifting but you are SO good at it!!!!!!
Such a sweet looking party! I can feel the love you have for that little boy through my computer screen. What a fabulous time you must have had! Thanks for sharing, as always. 🙂 hope things are well with Baby Bower!
Katie, you are an amazing mom. Happy Birthday to your precious Will!
Happy Birthday to Will! You are fearfully and wonderfully made!
And Katie you look so pretty, I love your hair and outfit! 🙂
Happy Birthday Will!
I think I better start brainstorming with my friend for my baby shower soon!
Wow, good to know your father was a small business owner. Does your Mum have any tips for a fellow small business owner’s wife? I’m much younger than my husband (I’m late 27 he’s 38) and he’s been a small business owner since he was 20 and maaannn, some days it just gets all too hard. Sometimes I wish he’d just get a normal everyday job, but he meets so many awesome people and he loves CREATING this hub (he’s a barber) and it’s so HIM. He’s tried working for people after a bout of depression but it’s just not as satisfying or the same as running and owning your own joint.
I hardly ever comment on the blogs I read, but when I see a patently ridiculous comment, I just can’t keep quiet. I think you, Katie, are one of the most naturally beautiful people I have ever seen…and that includes your teeth. And your son is more precious than words can say. I love posts such as these that really highlight the beautiful family (both inside and out) that God has blessed you with.
I think those sweet little homespun parties are the best 🙂
Happy Birthday, Will! I think his party was just right. The big ones seem to be more for the grown ups when the babies are so young anyway.
haha i dun see anything wrong wit either ur teeth Katie or Will’s…maybe iam slow but i really dun…watta nyce reply Katie!! lolz ur purrrfeeccccttt…ur reply was like entertainment for me!!! =)
I could ask her – but I think I have an idea of what she would say. Pray. She spent the better part of my middle school and highschool being alone when he worked for someone else…and that was hard in a totally different way…and it is stressful to be completely dependent on yourself for successs….but there are rewards to it along with the sacrifices. So just pray. If I could guess what she would say it would be to pray that you are the type of wife every day that you need to be for your husband to succeed. And if he fails, be there to help encourage him.
I’ll see her tomorrow morning so I’ll ask her if I got it right 🙂
xo – kb
Happy Birthday to Will! What a great day to turn 2! I turn 20 tomorrow :0 and have had my birthday fall on Easter twice. It’s always an extra special birthday when you can share it with Jesus, the Easter Bunny, and family!
incredible post btw..happy belated b!day Will!!! luks like he had fun much!!
HellO Katie,
Your tablescaping is PERFECT! So sweet AND stylish!
Your story and pictures are gorgeous!
Happy Birthday from Australia, Will!
Love
Tanya.
awww. very sweet. happy birthday will!
Will’s party seems just perfect. You did an amazing job with everything! And can I just say that parents who actually pull out the whole stop the world card for their children’s birthdays seem to end up with some serious little birthday princesses and princes…and that’s not so cute once they get older. (I know people in their twenties who still can’t let the “it’s all about me and what I want” birthday mentality go.) This sweet, simple party seems just right, though. I think a birthday should just be about being with and appreciating the people who mean the most to us. And cake. Definitely cake.
Obviously Crystal has no idea what she’s talking about, since Katie’s teeth are perfect. And Will’s are just fine too. Katie you look beautiful in those pictures, as always. And btw, DAMNNNNNN Jeremy’s calves look great! 🙂
thanks Katie, bless you, that just made me teary.
There arent even any pictures of wills teeth.. or yours? hmmmm….
I can’t believe that I’ve been reading your blog for over two years! You guys are such a sweet family and I just love all your family related posts 🙂 Betty and I hung out over Easter too… Check out my bunny butt cake! Haha! http://www.craftbaby.com/blog/2012/04/10/a-gluten-free-easter/
Amazing goodwill score! But you should see the look of disappointment on my face..
Hi Katie,
Your post made me cry! 🙂 You are such a wonderful mommy and I admire you a lot (even though I’m a vegetarian and you love bacon!! haha)
Happy belated Birthday to your little man Will! How speciaal is it to have your birthday on Easter sunday!! 🙂 Looks like this party was more intimate, which can be pretty memorable too. We had a small gathering of family for my little man A.J. for his 2nd a few days ago too and it was precious to watch just how happy he was surrounded only by ALL the people he completely adores in this world!! 🙂
I love the way you put it all together for the party with the Easter theme. Very fresh and fun.
You are glowing, by the way! 🙂
xo Luzia
What a great party Katie, nice work. I think I mention in every comment I leave that I love your blog. I spent a better part of an hour (at work, mind you) reading your birth story. Wow. Thanks for sharing. I don’t have children yet, but plan on having some soon and your story was inspiring. Thanks!!
First time commenter, but could not resist after seeing that yellow dress. So jealous you were able to find something so cute at Goodwill. You look adorable – as does Will (and the rest of your family too, of course). What a lovely party!
Happy birthday Will!
Absolutely adorable decorations. I read the fourth sentence as: “I would hold the bacon” instead of baton. Now that would be fun! 🙂
Wow, Katie, you did a great job! I feel ya, my little one turned two in February and as fun as two year olds are, I am so sad to see my baby growing up so fast! It breaks my little pea-pickin heart : (
But, like you and your hottie, we have another one on the way as well! Hope you are feeling great and getting anxious to find out what this next little one is….pink or blue!?!
What a sweet boy! Happy Birthday Will! 🙂
Your outfit is too cute and I love the party decorations!
Loved this post! AND your darling yellow shirt. Yellow is totally the best color ever 🙂
Awww, love his little party! And how adorable are you?!
Will is a lucky little lad with lots of love in his life!
And now I am craving cake…
xoxo,
Jen
Ahahahahaha Jack Bower. Love it.
I love how you describe your dad in the photo, and your absolutely true, he looks so relax and seem to really enjoy the day. My dad is the same way, and I love when I see him relaxed from his own business, baking or cooking in the kitchen.
I LOVE IT!
I shocked myself this year and kept the Easter basket very simple & understated. And you know what, it actually felt really good! So “…sometimes bigger just means bigger…” is my new mantra! I must keep chanting this to myself and remember this sweet perfect party when it is time to plan our next birthday gathering. This post was perfectly timed for me – thank you!
One last thing: Crystal, may you step in dog poop always.
we have a ton of leftover chips from when we were painting our bedroom and living room. we knew we wanted a dark orange for the living room and golden color for the bedroom, so all the swatches are in the general color scheme of the rooms. it works out perfectly! and no waste 🙂
Unrelated to this post but completely related to your bacon obsession…http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2012/04/12/150502365/the-bacon-sundae-brilliant-or-tragic. To me this sounds SO gross…do bacon lovers really see it differently???
1. Katie I love your outfit.
2. LOVE, LOVE the pic of Jeremy and Will with the balloons!!
3. Those eggs made from paint swatches are soooooo adorable!
WOW you did an amazing job!!!!!!!!!!! Love all the colors!
Did you come up with the egg garland idea? Because I have seen it on Pinterest from a couple different blogs. If you didn’t it would probably be appropriate to share your inspiration. I know it isn’t exactly a fine art, but I think it is important to respect people’s creative ideas and credit them. And if you did come up with it, that is awesome. Nice that you can reuse it from year to year too.
Looked like a fun party. Happy Birthday Will!
Wow we had babies on the same day. Never realized that before. I read your blog while I was pregnant! Happy Birthday Will!
On Will’s actual birthday, it was feliz aniversário! from Portugal; today it’s ¡feliz cumpleaños! from Spain.
What a beautiful party! Quinland, who is 13, grabbed the laptop from me right in the middle of the post and started ooh-ing and aah-ing and narrating the whole thing. She loves you, btw.
Will is absolutely adorable; you are as cute as can be with your natural wavy hair; the peeps and the paint-chip eggs are my favorite decorations; and is that a fiancée we see in the family photos?
When they’re that little, the parties are more for the parents anyway! Looks like you all had a great time and that’s what matters! 🙂
Wow he had a very nice birthday… beautiful set up and menu! Looks like he had a blast! Happy Birthday Will!!
I love how your mommy love just oozes all over this:) AND your outfit is adorable, you are so cute!
Looks like it was a great party! Happy birthday, Will!
Where is one of my fav bloggers this week? Hardly any posts. 🙁
Hope you are out having fun celebrating with the little birthday boy.
I mostly lurk, but that was a sweet post and I enjoyed reading it. Your photography is beautiful, too.
My b-day is in early April and I’ll never forget the day it landed on Easter – I got a bunch of Barbies AND candy. It was wonderful.
Anyhoo – the real thing I wanted to comment on is that those paint chip eggs are brilliant! Hope the day was great; looks like it was!
So cute! I love a sweet, small family gathering. By the way, your outfit is super cute!
Sorry – just going through lots of transitions right now and working on some bigger projects…
I’ll be back soon! I promise!
xo – kb
Not yet! But I don’t think it’s too far off 🙂
xo – kb
I didn’t – I’m sure I saw it somewhere. I just don’t remember – probably pinterest. It was just in the recesses of my brain.
xo – kb
love all the colors in this post-from the food table to your outfit!
but mostly wondering what color gray that is on the wall? love it!
I have no idea! It was here when we moved in. Sorry!
xo – k
katie–
we have things in common….
1. little boy who just had a second birthday…..3/12
2. baby due in november…..11/8
3. being Christian mommies……
yay….found you through yhl.
Hi! Just stumbled upon your blog and it’s so much fun! Our daughter’s birthday fell on Easter last year so this brought back memories. Just darling. Oh, and super LURVE your yellow dress! Nice to “meet” you!
He’s lucky to have you two! Congrats to making it to the second birthday! I’m sure it went slow and fast at the same time. Enjoy the little moments.
I LOVE that you used skewer sticks on the cake. Me and my hubby have determined that there are about a million uses for skewer sticks (especially for home improvement projects) and I can’t wait to tell him about this one! We are up to about 46,355 and counting! Happy (belated) Birthday Will!
Nice to meet you too Courtney!
xo – kb
Happy belated birthday to Will! Love what you did with food table and those pics of you and Will are adorable! So sweet!
What an adorable birthday party! I am the same way about parties and gifts, I love them all and want to give big gifts and do a party up 🙂 I don’t have kids yet though, I save ideas all the time for when I can throw a party for my munchkin..this one is going in my files.