So it’s end of March. It’s been two months and I am ready to do a recap of Lexi’s 2nd birthday. Not too bad, considering my track record. At least it’s not August 🙂 See? I am trying to catch  up.
The series of posts on her birthday will be similar to last year:
You might want to read:
2nd Birthday Party: Planning, Party Favors, Decor
I have very fond memories of the first birthday party and the second one, too. You’d think that with all the stress of planning, stress would be all that I would remember, but it’s really just so much fun!
I will talk about planning and the theme and how the thought process evolved for the party in the Decor Part.
So on the eve of her birthday, our friends who were visiting us for Lexi’s birthday from Ohio stayed up late helping us assemble her gifts (thank you, guys!) and blow up balloons. The next morning, we were up very early with Lexi and went down to the living room after I dressed her into a black swan dress for the pictures. Gabby, our friends’ daughter and our first love, who was sleeping with us in our bedroom, was up as well (Lexi gets pretty chatty in the morning and she woke her up).
Her birthday gifts were an acoustic drum set,a basketball hoop and a big talking Daniel Tiger. I talked before about my gifts philosophy where I like to space gifts out so that can be enjoyed rather than have a load of somewhat useless toys to open at every holiday.
 
I love her face when she opens Daniel Tiger. The photos that were taken at that moment are really blurry, because Andrew was taking them and I didn’t get a chance to help him adjust settings to new lighting, but it’s still precious.
  
As I was going through the photos from that morning, there were so many expressions and fun faces that I just could not pick favorites to post here, so instead I put together a quick video with the photos.
Happy Birthday. She’s one lucky 2 year old, I think my two year olds got a ball and sidewalk chalk for their birthdays, lol.
Love that you got her a drum set and that basketball hoop! It’s nice to see parents give their little girls things beyond just sparkly princess stuff (not that there’s anything wrong with that but I’m so not into the princess thing).
I didn’t even think about it that way lol. But you’re right- it’s all “traditionally boy stuff”. She isn’t into princesses or dolls really. SHE Likes music and sports and trucks and books.
I saw the post on Facebook and read it too quickly…I though it said the art of making a 2nd baby! For a second there I was super excited and then realized I’d read it wrong…
Good thing Lexi’s so cute it made up for it 🙂
:)))))) that’s too funny :)))) thanks for putting a smile on my face.
Whew! Just finished reading your blog from start to finish! Ha, maybe I can get back to work now, without being super distracted… 🙂
First and foremost, Thank you for doing and sharing all of your research! It is immensely helpful!
I also have a question for you – you obviously buy Lexi a lot of toys throughout the year. How do you make the toys that she gets as presents more special? I have gotten absolutely obsessed with byuing toys and books for my little one (especially after reading your blog, haha), but I worry that presents and holidays wont be as exciting for him because he gets new toys on a regular basis….
Wow! Haha! I can’t believe you just did it 🙂
To answer your question, the toys and activities that I get throughout the year are usually smaller items that I think she might enjoy. There is a lot of trial and error there but in general I have a pretty good handle on her personalities and her likes.
When it comes to bday and holiday gifts, what makes them special is the hype and if it’s a one day deal like a birthday, the importance of the gift. Like a drum set is a big deal. It looks like a big deal. Though I don’t know much a 2 year old understands that concept.