Beatrice is (almost) Two!

Beatrice's real second birthday is on June 2 but because that's only two days away from my due date, we decided to throw her a "You're Almost Two!" party instead.

We had a picnic theme this year (much like Rosemary's third birthday party - thank you Mina for the great idea).

I made these banners out of a $5 plastic picnic tablecloth from Target, then added some white eyelet paper lanterns. The lanterns will have a second life in Beatrice's bedroom now that the party is over.

All the table fabric (white eyelet lace and picnic-checked cotton) came from things we salvaged out of the new house when we moved in, mostly tablecloths and curtains the old owners left behind.

For lunch we had sandwiches (turkey, extra-sharp cheddar, and green apple; salami and provolone; or sun-dried tomato, mozzarella, and pesto); sea salt and vinegar potato chips; fresh fruit; and lemonade from our tree.

Our party favors were miniature bears filled with honey (I ordered the jars from a wholesale honey supply store online and filled them at home).

I couldn't resist adding a second favor for the kids, tiny picnic baskets filled with gummy bears.

Originally I had wanted to serve everyone's lunches in small individual picnic baskets, but as the number of guests swelled (32 adults and 10 kids) that became impractical - but at least we did have individually wrapped pieces of berry pie to accompany the meal.

Even though we had pies, I couldn't let Beatrice's birthday go by without making her a cake - in this case, a yellow cake with vanilla bean buttercream frosting decorated with little pinwheels I made out of leftover paper from the invitations.

The older toddlers worked on decorating and then flying their own kites. (I used this pattern to make a simple paper kite. Because Beatrice's friends are still so young, I made the kites ahead of time and just had the kids decorate them, but older kids could easily make these themselves.)

Even the younger babies enjoyed playing with the parachute (a gift from the Robbs for Beatrice's 1st birthday).

Of course, Beatrice's playhouse was a big hit, as was her sandbox.

We did the same photo backdrop as last year - I'd like to do one for Beatrice every year until she's old enough to complain about how it embarrasses her.

You can find more photos on Facebook and Flickr.

Beatrice with the beautiful handmade play food Amy made her.

Beatrice dances with one of her new presents, a shopping cart

Before and After #2: Backyard Demolition

I'm celebrating today because I finally got Dev to tear out the concrete pad and fountain that had been in the middle of our backyard. Everyone wins! Dev enjoys destroying concrete with a sledgehammer and a crowbar, and I enjoy not having to look at that horrible fountain every day.

Sadly, Beatrice did not agree, she loved the "baby water" and would even kiss it. Sorry, B.

BEFORE

DURING

Goodbye, baby water!

Almost 7,000 pounds of concrete

AFTER

We also sold, donated, or otherwise disposed of some unwanted odds and ends left in the back yard (including an old truck crankshaft) and all these many kitschy lawn ornaments:

Beatrice helps me clear rocks out of the fountain area

The rusty utility shed in the corner of the yard.

The concrete pad underneath the rusty shed, since demolished - eventually my raised vegetable beds will go here.

In the next week we will put down sod to cover over the bare holes left behind, but until then Beatrice and her friends can enjoy the Giant Dirt Pit, every toddler's dream.