The Celebration...

Last year, Mills had an awesome first birthday party.   He was lucky enough to celebrate with TONS of guests.  This year, we decided to have Mills' party at home.  The guest list was a little smaller, and our house has very limited space, so guests enjoyed an afternoon outside with overcast skies and comfortable, but warm temperatures.  We are thankful that the triple digit temperatures we have had in the past few weeks have come and gone...for the time being.

I love party planning, although my husband and b/f/fs will tell you that I tend to get a little high-strung when the date gets closer.  That is why I rarely plan parties, but when I do,  I always start really really early.  I took advantage of those nap times and after-bedtime to get things done as quickly as possible.  If I can get things done and get it over with, the less I  have to do on the day of.  This results in a much calmer mommy.

This years theme was none other than Mickey Mouse.  Mills LOVES "Kickey." 

I bought Mills' invite from here.

I started with the mindset of using red, black, and yellow, the number 2, and mouse ears galore.  I wanted to do everything myself this year. Not only did it save money, but I though it would be good for me and give me a task that I would be proud to finish.  I wanted to look back and be able to tell Mills, "Mommy made those"...as if he would care? ha!  So, I did it.  I made all of the decorations myself....with a little help, of course.  Thanks to my wonderful friend who let me borrow her prized possession cricut, (and I will soooo be getting one in December...maybe.) I went to work, and BOY, IT WAS FUN!!!  Mills tried to help me a little bit, and so I let him push a button every now and then.  Now, I am addicted!  I was very mindful to be extremely careful with this borrowed gadget.  It was wonderful and cut the time less than half of what it would have taken me with out it. 

I made this sign to hang on our front door from two canvases, cricut vinyl, and ribbon. Note to self: vinyl does not stick to canvas. Lesson learned.  Thank you spray adhesive. :)

My first project was his cupcake toppers.  Here, I created mickey's hand and shorts, the number 2 sporting a mouseketeer hat with Mills' monogram, and cute Mickey Mouse heads with and "M" for Mills.

From our chandelier, I hung die-cuts of the number 2, and mouse heads with "Mills" on them.

I found the cutest Mickey Mouse scrap booking paper at a scrapbook store, and used it to create his banner.  Plaids, polka dots, stripes, and argyle of black, red, and yellow sat behind the Mickey Mouse font letters, placed on textured card stock of red and black spelled "Happy Birthday Mills."  I used ribbon, jute cord, and card stock that I found in my scrap booking tub in the attic to link the Mickey Heads together, and accented with Mickey's hands and shorts.

Guests were served "hot-diggity-dogs", chips, cake, ice cream, and marshmallow pops with Mickey sprinkles.  Mills' cake was too cute with it's mousketeer hat!

And then, the little ones played in the sprinklers.  Perfect for a hot day!

At the end of the evening, Mills' said thank you,to his guests with a cute little Mickey Mouse tote bag favor.  I found these adorable, inexpensive bags at the Disney Store which made for a great gift for a great price. I thought they were too cute.  I made the thank-you tags with the cricut and attached them with coordinating ribbon from Mills' banner and door sign.

And then it was "time to say good-bye to all his company......"

Who knew that card stock could create such a fun atmosphere?

As everyone sang "Happy Birthday,"  I realize that my baby is two!  Those are tears....leave it to me!

Blowing out his two candles

Yummy!

Feeding Daddy a cupcake

ICE CREAM!