We just had a little get together for Henry’s birthday last weekend…just one special family of friends and grandparents, etc..not the big bash that we threw last year.  Some years are big party years at our house some years are not, some years are flops at overpriced farms! ha!  This year we had pizza and mama limited herself to ”just a few crafty things” which i didn’t even make so it was a nice compromise.   

My secret..buy everything, even handmade stuff (from etsy) and most of it is recyclable…

along with Target plates, straws left over from something else,  and plenty of seating for little people!

Colorful straws, root beer in bottles and a cute banner..do the kids even care??? I actually think they do, at least when they are little. Drew came in and said “mom it looks great” and Henry ended the night singing Happy Birthday to himself in the bathtub. He has actually been singing it for days..so sweet.

In the vein of “we are not going overboard” i kept the theme and decoration to a minimum but we had to have something to play with…Henry loves ceiling fans, wheels and anything that goes “roundy round” so we did a few pinwheels…huge hit! Actually by the time of the party, he had worn these nearly out but PICKLED PARLOR on etsy makes some darling and TOUGH pinwheels…so cute.  Henry’s aunt also got some great pinwheels at Hobby Lobby for $1 each and they are huge!

and the moustaches were fun and i can save for another time..not all of them got destroyed. I have many photos on my hard drive of adults playing with these as well;;

Brother LOVED these.  I am so glad he still thinks i am cool.  My days are numbered i know.

So the menu was simple: pizza, ice cream and fruit (and cupcakes!)

Ice cream is a bit difficult to serve…and little spoons take time to tie on but its cute!;; Spoons from Garnish (thinkgarnish.com) So cute but its not like you can leave ice cream stacked like this..it uhhhh melts!  duh!

I had seen various fruit cone ideas on Pinterest (I will blog more about that next week with inspiration photos styled better than here;) so i tried this too…stuffing fruit in the cones..actually i took this fruit before i dumped the fruit in the cones…something that take a bit more time than i realized.  Oh well.

I love this banner I bought last year in Mississippi…at that old department store in Oxford. 

I used it earlier in the week to get photos of the birthday boy! Thanks again Lynsey Kramer!

There is just something about being a mama and God’s creation that makes most mamas want to do something festive for birthdays..doesn’t have to be over the top..i am hoping i am learning the fine line between fun and frantic/crazy and pride. I think we all know our limits and what we are good with..some it may be an awesome cake or game..or some decorations or meal.  I just hope my boys remember they were loved and mama is very excited each year when we celebrate their birth into our world and family! That they are special.

I love you little Henry!

We are having more birthday celebrations today..back to regular blogging next week…

I have to tell you, one way to combat “birthday party stress” and scale back is to have birthday photos taken the week of, you will feel like you have accomplished so much. My friend Lynsey captured these for us and now i feel like i can really enjoy just hanging out and celebrating today and don’t even have to pick up my camera.  Thanks friend!

Y’all have a safe weekend!

Yesterday was Henry’s birthday…I can’t believe my baby is two years old!

You have sure changed our lives Mr Henry Brooks Mathis!

 Last year we had quite the celebration to mark his first birthday!

 This year is much more low key with just grandparents and one little family of friends…but it will be just as special in a different way. I hope to have  2 year photos to show soon…he is growing so fast and has so much hair now compared to his first birthday photos!

Thank you Lord for this little boy and his lively spirit and zest for life. And for his big brother, help them grow and become oaks of righteousness, plantings of the Lord. amen.