Her Birthday - Take Two

Welcome back to my little nook in the big world wide web! This is now my second post and hopefully I will learn to use the tools better in my layout and presentation.  As I continue down this creative venture, I should become an expert.  Until then, thanks for putting up with my learning curve. 

Now where do I start?

Ahhhhh...the terrible two's started a bit early in my household. My daughter was already proving that she was independent and a negotiator. A typical conversation, "Maddie, it is bath time." Maddie, "Two more minis (minutes)."

Despite the occasional outburst of exorcist like emotions - she was independent, creative, an explorer and still the little diva we adored. Meanwhile, my grey hairs could be likened to gremlin's (ahem....if you don't know what a gremlin is..you are too young to read this blog) ... add water and they multiply.

So, as promised, here we are on this blog journey documenting her little parties.

Now...on to her second.

The Second Birthday

Inspiration: Art!

Location: Chateau Madeline in Madison, Wisconsin (a.k.a our house)

Total planning time: Didn't you read my post on her first birthday? I won't admit that it was about 9-10 months of planning. Don't judge me.

While working as the Executive Director at Madison Ballet (yes, I had a day job) I would often frequent a little craft shop downstairs. I would buy things to scrap with, browse the clearance isle for those "I can't live without" art supplies and more. All of these shopping trips resulted in spending too much money but building the ultimate "art box" for Maddie and her creative side. It was worth every penny.

Walking down one of the isles I noticed canvases of many sizes - and they were on sale! At that moment, I knew exactly what her party would shape into. So, I bought a trunk load of art canvases (large and small), paints, brushes (why did I buy brushes - they were two and use hands for everything).

I also bought feathers, glitter and anything else these kids could add to their art project.

The Invitation.

This took some thinking and a lot of browsing on my favorite invitation sites: Tiny Prints and then shaaazam - I found the perfect invitation. It reads:  Maddie's Art Fair - A masterpiece created by you is yours to design and take home too!  Come to my party & create - afterwords we will eat cake!

Simple, cute, and perfect for the theme! 

The Cake.

Much like with her first, I was inspired by a paint tray and brush. Naturally everything had to match. I (yet again) sketched out the design I had in mind and went to my favorite bakery in Madison - The Rolling Pin. I also asked them to design cookies in the same fashion. I found the perfect cookie cutter online (after much research) and lent it to them for the project. I often wondered if they loved me or hated me at that bakery. OCD at its best.

The table that the food and cake were displayed on were decorated with fabric I purchased from the scrap bin at a fabric store all in primary colors. I then purchased various paint brushes and boxes and boxes of crayons to "sprinkle" among the food table. Of course, my table also displayed "themed" party food for the adults (and kids).

Not a single detail spared for this monumental milestone.

The Food.  We are foodies after all!
As usual I create a buffet table with various treats for the adults and kids (themed of course).  Despite getting picked on a little by friends  - labeling my food is fun!  I used paint splash stickers and gave silly names to my food - all paying homage to the theme: art, beautiful art! 

On the menu:  Matisse Mozzarella Pizzas (mini english muffin pizzas), Frida Fruit Kabobs (no explanation necessary), Dali Corn Dogs (big hit with the kids), Rembrandt Pasta Salad and of course, Picasso Punch! 

Again, the food table was splashed with crayons and paint brush accents and scraps of vibrant primary color fabric. 

The punch was simple:  rainbow sorbet with sprite!  Delicious, colorful, and festive! 


The Activity (aka - the fun)! 
I remember sitting there with my husband with his "Oh, Valerie" look (happens all the time) when I talked about the activities I planned for the kids. He reminded me that these were a pack of wild two year old children - would they really stay focused on an activity?  I am sure he was protecting my need to have all things logistically in line and the flow to be perfect. Little did he realize that you put a blob of paint in front of a child and blank canvas that it would consume them for hours! As usual, I was right (sorry, honey)! 

Oriental Trading is an excellent source (no secret there) for certain party supplies. I ordered festive smocks for the kids to wear while painting. With some puffy paint (who doesn't love puffy paint) and I customized each smock with their name and some paint splashes.  I am not an artist by any means but these came out beautiful.  This was also part of their take home gift! 

After the traditional meet and greet between two year old kids - we headed outside.  In Madison - June weather is DIVINE!  Outside I had little tables set up with individual canvases and a buffet of paints and other supplies the kids could add to their masterpiece! 

One little detail I also included was a display of her memory box. Each year I spend months and days and hours putting together a large memory box of everything important from the previous year. At her party her memory boxes were displayed so that anyone who was interested could enjoy them! 


Let the good times roll! 

Each child created their own piece of art to take home. They also worked together and created a mural that hangs in my daughter's room to this day!  It is a wonderful keepsake from her 2nd birthday. 

After painting and cleaning up with a hose (another unexpected highlight/activity) - the kids sat on picnic blankets and enjoyed their food!  They also enjoyed Maddie's play structure - climbing, swinging, laughing - it was a perfect time.

Finally, each child was sent home with a custom art box filled with crayons, art supplies, and the paint palette cookie! 


Here are a few more pictures to document the great time had by all! 

The End Result?  One happy two year old and one exhausted mommy!