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.