DinosaurPartyCake_DianneKristaPhotography

We went overboard on the props and DIY decor for Liam's first birthday last year so we promised to keep it simple for his 2nd. So simple we almost forgot about it, caught up in planning his birthday trip to France and Disneyland instead. With no Jo-Ann Fabric, Michaels, Target OR 24 hr Walmart in Naples, last minute planning is nearly impossible. Luckily we kept everything from his Storybook/Winnie the Pooh/Mad Hatter/Peter Pan birthday party (yup, overboard) reusing the wood slices, chalk boards and crafts. I have never seen my husband so relieved - I actually fulfilled the promise I made last year every time we were at the register that it would all be used again and the same promise when we brought them thousands of miles with us, using up valuable storage space. See, told you so ;) Also ordered some stuff from Amazon. With Prime taking about a week and a half to ship to Italy, not everything arrived on time but the dinosaurs did. That was the most important thing for our little 2 year old's dinosaur obsession.

DinosaurBirthdayParty_DianneKristaPhotography

Last minute decor:
From Amazon - dino figurines, dino masks, inflatable dinosaurs
From Idea Casa (the value store next to Savaris) - chalkboard easel, #2 figurine, latex balloons, gold letter balloons (unfortunately they don't float)
From the NEX flower shop - bouquet stuffers and plants (I asked for eucalyptus leaves but this is what they had on hand at the time)

Reusable decor:
From Michaels - wood slices, craft paper, mini clothespins
From Amazon - apothecary jars, wooden tongs, wooden disposable spoons

DIY decor:
"Roaring 2's" - printed letters, taped them on to poster board and used an x-acto knife to cut them out
Dinosaur floor mats - used a roll of floor protector from the garden section, drew out a paw print stencil on packing paper (from the move), stapled it to the mat and used a box cutter to cut it out
Table Runners - craft wrapping paper
Cake toppers - BBQ skewers, card stock, twine

Cake from Anna HolidayOrder details: two simple and small round cakes with very thin buttercream. I asked for one cake to be lemon flavored and the other to be a surprise. Anna chose Pineapple using organic ingredients. Both were delicious! — Cake from Anna Holiday
Order details: two simple and small round cakes with very thin buttercream. I asked for one cake to be lemon flavored and the other to be a surprise. Anna chose Pineapple using organic ingredients. Both were delicious!

"Warning, Dino-mite Party this way" sign on a chalkboard arrow and DIY Dinosaur floor mats

Pennant Banner - card stock, fishing wire, craft glue

Happiest sugar-high birthday to our dino-mite boy. Enjoy your roaring 2's! We love you!

The birthday boy stayed up until midnight partying with his guests last night so we decided to just stay in pajamas all day today. Spending the day snuggling and watching him open his presents with such excitement and curiosity and play with his new toys with such focus and independence did not help keep the emotions in check. Why is he growing so fast!?

This didn't help with the tears either...
I grew up having the best brother I could ever ask for and now Liam gets to grow up with the best Uncle/Godfather he could ever ask for.

"For Liam Jorge

Keep looking out at the world as you do
As something that needs to be explored
Not only with the body
But with the mind and the heart as well

Speak honestly and with conviction.
Words have a way of coming back to you.

The gum you find on the streets and underneath desks are not free candy

Chase butterflies
Don't chase the attention and affection of those not deserving of yours

See don't look
Listen don't hear
Speak to don't talk at
Manners rewards itself
Hold the door!

Don't bully my future kids
Hand me downs!
Look out for your cousins
They're the first real friends you make

Make real friends
Imaginary friends will always think your ideas are great but you're gonna need those friends that tell you when you're being dumb.

Loyalty isn't a trait only found in pets

Appreciation rewards itself
Don't take yourself for granted

Chivalry isn't dead
But you don't have to always be the hero
You can't save everyone
There's not as many damsels in distress as you may think

Most of the time they're just hungry

Love honestly, faithfully, unapologetically and wholeheartedly

Don't put gum in her hair
Or call her fat
Dude, don't ever call her fat.

Don't settle for comfortable
Don't settle for routine
Don't settle.

Ask questions even if you're afraid of the answer

You miss all the shots you don't take
A good jump shot requires balance
Shoot with purpose
Your guide hand is there for a reason
Be fearless like your dad when attacking the basket
Learn to play without the ball

Ramen shouldn't be the extent of your cooking ability

Don't be afraid to ask your mom to change the channel because you're tired of watching E!

Sometimes the most obvious answer is the right answer

There's a time for everything
And timing is everything

People leave. That doesn't have to mean that they're gone.
I may not be there but I'm always around.
The people you love have a way of coming back to you.