What to wear? 2 year old boy edition

Nolan's first year, I invested in a "First Year" package with a local photographer. For one fee (that is significantly lower than individual sessions) we had pictures taken every 3 months- newborn, 3, 6, 9, and 1 year. This was both a blessing and a curse. I LOVED the photographer's work and unique sets which weren't the 'cookie cutter' run-of-the-mill children's pictures, and having the option to take some of his 1 year session outdoors. But purchasing photos every 3 months that first year was NOT cheap! I knew from there on out, we would spring for professional pictures once a year and candids would be just fine otherwise.

Dressing a baby boy was easy- naked, some baby leggings, and some cute clothes once he was a little older and bare baby butts weren't so acceptable. But now he's 2. 2 year olds straddle that line between baby and little boy. Who also has an opinion about every single little thing that's put in him (Oh! The blue toed socks are what you want to wear, not the grey toed. Silly me!)  

Now, what to dress a 2 year old little boy? I did an inventory of his closet and dresser, and while I like to think he dresses nice enough day to day, I quickly nixed his play shirts with pictures and words on them. Yes, they are adorable and he looks cute in just about everything, but they just aren't right for pictures.

My husband is a huge sports fan, which has made me a sports fan as well. There isn't a day that goes by when a sport-ANY sport-is being watched in my house. Bengals  jersey or Buckeyes shirt and hat? Eh, we will get enough of those during football season.

He's going to be a ring bearer in a wedding this fall. How about formal? Ehhhhh. He's ALL boy. Rough and tumble boy. Cars, balls, jumping around boy. There will be plenty of pictures of him in uncomfy dress clothes at the wedding.

Alright. What does this little boy love right now? Hats and golf! Truth. While I couldn't keep a newborn hat on his tiny little head 2 years ago, he rarely is seen anymore without a hat over that white blonde hair. And I just have to face the music-Chris has passed on his love of golf  to his little mini-me. Polo shirt- check. Tot-sized newsboy cap-check. Shorts with a little detail-check. I think we've got it!

Now if  only the weather and Mr. Everytime-a-Camera-Comes-Out-a-Finger-Goes-in-the-Nose will cooperate, we are all set for our little man to Zoolander it up! 

A Balloon & Banner 2nd Birthday Bash

What is it with kids and balloons? We can't go to the grocery without little man catching sight of a balloon and he acting like it's his first time seeing something so mesmerizing. It's been like this for well over a year AKA 50% of his entire life loving a single thing. So when it came to planning his 2nd birthday, picking a theme was easy. And what is easier than a birthday party with lots (and lots and lots) of balloons?

I don't know how we did anything in life before Pinterest. Did I really decorate my dorm room; plan a wedding; have parties; and buy a house without inspirational pins??  {GASP} This year, I vowed to keep the party simple- rainbow colored balloons and banners (since I heart them) as the decor and homemade lunch, cake, etc. And it was better than expected!

All the food was delish. Pulled pork sandwiches, corn dogs, crockpot Mac 'n' cheese, potato casserole, green beans, and chips & pretzels with dip.  And of course all the desserts! 12 layer rainbow jello, rainbow fruit skewers with dip, the AMAZING Sweet Relief Treats cookies, chocolate-chocolate cupcakes with dum-dum 'balloons' and my pride and joy---- a 6 rainbow layer cake!!! I am SO not a baker. So when it turned out, wonky icing and all, and even tasted great, I was one happy mama!!

The party was held at my mom's house. I took a few days off work to prepare and spend my son's actual birthday with him. The morning of the party, my hubby stayed at home with the birthday boy while we put the finishing touches on everything and set up. Naturally, we were running a tad behind when they arrived and he had a glimpse of what was to come. He kept walking to the door saying 'BOON!!!! BOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!!' Finally {finally} we let him into his balloon wonderland. His expression is something that I will never forget. 60 balloons hanging from the trees, 27 helium balloons in bunches, and 3 balloon garlands. If no one showed up, it would have been ok. He loved it which made it all worth it.

But everyone did show up! Unfortunately, due to some unseasonably cool weather- mid 70's in mid-July in Southwest Ohio {what?!?!?} the parents of the kids didn't think swimming was possible, so the pool party part of the party didn't happen until AFTER the party, but the balloons in the trees were a hit as were all the outside toys. All in all, the party was better than I ever could have imagined. A Balloon & Banner 2nd Birthday Bash indeed.