Birthday #2

Bennett's 2nd birthday is now a thing in the past.  So very hard to believe.  I worked so hard on it, as I did last year, and now it's come and gone.  But we had a great time and enjoyed every minute of it!!!!!  I was afraid the weather was not going to cooperate with us, but it turned out to be a beautiful, overcast day and not too hot.  So here's the recap of Bennett's 2nd birthday:

Of course, those who know Bennett know we had to have a Toy Story Party.  My kid is just slightly obsessed with Buzz.  :)  So, I started out by renting the Water Oak Shelter at Saluda Shoals Park.  Such a nice place to have a function- they keep it up beautifully.  It was nice and peaceful back there at our shelter.  If anyone is interested, here's their website: http://www.icrc.net/parks/saluda-shoals.aspx.  They have many different picnic shelters to rent, depending on how much space you need.  The great thing about the Water Oak Shelter, well a few great things, is that it's right beside the play ground, splash park and the bathrooms.  Perfect location!!  Had I known the splash park was going to be open on his big day, I would have had a water party.  :)  But maybe we can do that next year.  :)  So I rented the shelter for 5:00.  The party before me was supposed to be out at 4:00 and I was a little nervous that we'd drive up and they would still be there.  But, even though we got there early, that party was long gone and the shelter was clean.  Time to start decorating!!  Jason hung the birthday banner I had made for Bennett and the Pizza Planet sign.  Mom and I started getting the tables ready and getting the food out.  I was a little disappointed that I didn't get some of the decorations up just because we ran out of time and people were starting to show up.  But that's ok- it turned out to be a great party anyways.  :)  We ate pizza, noodle salad, chips, fruit with dip for dinner and then had cake and icecream for dessert.  The cake was from Publix and it was VERY cute and tasted VERY good.  :)  He enjoyed listening to everyone sing him "Happy Birthday", so much so that at the end he yelled "Again!" because he wanted them to sing it again.  He didn't quite grasp the "blow out the candles" part so Jason had to blow out his candles for him. 

9 kids came and Bennett had a blast!!!  The kids just ran around being boys, played on the playground and just had a great time.  And Bennett left with some pretty cool presents too!  But after eveyone had left (even the other people at the park) we let Bennett play in the splash park and I think that was his favorite thing from the whole day!  He absolutely loved it!!  He kept squeeling and running and laughing.  My heart was just overjoyed with excitement for him!!  I have to say, I think he had a wonderful birthday party!!  It was worth all the work and stress just to see him enjoy his day with his buddies!

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate Bennett's 2nd birthday!!  We are so thankful to have such great family and friends!  Here's to planning his 3rd birthday!!!  :)