Hats Off to Claire! She's 2!!

Claire's birthday party was a success! I chose a hat theme because Claire loves to wear hats so much - or maybe it's just that she turns so many random items into hats! At any rate, the rain, (which poured and poured all day Wednesday and had me wondering if and worrying that the party might end up at our house instead of at the park), -- the rain stopped! The sun was out drying all the rain, (or trying to, as you'll see in some of the pictures), so we had a lovely, gorgeous, rain-free Friday for a party at the park!

My parents, Jordan's parents, and Aunt Laura were all here for the party, so, thankfully, there were plenty of helpful hands as we set up the party. - And Laura took these pictures for me. It was great to be able to hand the camera over to her so that I could be more in the moment! - Thanks, Laura!

I think Claire would have been perfectly happy if she could have stayed in the swing the entire time. It seems that she only thinks of getting out if someone else suggests it.
I made hat cupcakes, hat party favors that were filled with surprises, newspaper hats,

and a hat party mix, (all thanks to Pinterest -- NOT my own creativity!)

And the kids played!


We served pizza and some fruit for dinner.

When it was time to eat, all Claire did for quite a while was drink her Capri Sun. She finished one and asked for another. - She had been getting thirsty on the playground, I guess!
Next -- time for cupcakes! (They were strawberry - to coordinate with the pink and yellow).



She did a great job blowing out her candles!



Claire started her cupcake,

and then she ran around and finished it.


She had a blast jumping!


And then it was time for presents!

Every time she pulled out a piece of tissue paper, she said, "oooooohhhh," and her voice ascended and then descended - in complete amazement. It was adorable!



I love the idea of giving items to go in a dress-up box! I'm totally going to remember that one!


She loved getting this cup!


More fun on the swings as the party finished

Claire REALLY looked forward to this party. She's been to some birthday parties for some friends, so we had talked about how she would have one, too. And as it got closer, she certainly talked about it! Every time she saw something I had made for the party, (the party favors, the cupcake stand, or the cupcakes, which she helped me make), she talked about her birthday party. So --- Happy Birthday Party, Claire! I'm glad you had fun!

We love you!