ROAAAAARRRRR'N Good Time

December 14th nicely fell on a Saturday this year, which allowed us to throw his birthday party on his actual birthday.  The theme of his birthday was a lion.  The invitation showed a picture of B in a lion costume (borrowed from Cole), which he didn't end up wearing for the main event.  Guest were encouraged to wear animal print attire.  The guest list included family members and our neighbors, the Smith's, who pretty much feel like our family since we spend so much time together.

Look at me- I even printed up REAL, tangible invitations!

He hammed it up when I put on his birthday outfit.
Outfit made my Daddy.  

I want to make a point of separating Braylen's birthday and Christmas in our house.  Even though Braylen doesn't realize this year the 14th is a special day, celebrating him, I want to start some traditions now about how we are going to handle the two events.  The main one being not decorating for Christmas until after his party.  This was very easy this year since a one year old near a Christmas tree is rarely a good thing.  (The decorations are already at our house, ready to go up tomorrow!)  The decorations were simple this year- a few streamers and balloons.  Set the expectation low when they are young is my motto

Daddy, on the other hand, likes to set the bar high from the start.  After successfully creating a stellar Elmo cake for Evie's 2nd birthday, Daddy took on the cake baking and decorating responsibilities again.  Fine. by. me.  We copied Aunt Jen's lion cake idea from Luke's first birthday (who found it on.....wait for it... Pinterest).  Daddy followed her example of using a round cake for the face, then placing cupcakes around the perimeter to mimic the mane.  He took it up a notch by adding "texture"

Cake preparations begin Friday afternoon

Evie makes cupcakes out of rice crispies and water.  yum!

Finished product!  So proud of his work.  He just
got himself hired to do all cakes from here out.

Texture AND cute little ears. 

To minimize mess in the kitchen the morning of the party, we went out for breakfast.  We were at Beans and Burgundy Bread at 7:25 AM.  (Local friends- check out this new place on route 40 in Ellicott City.)  I had the best breakfast sandwich EVER.  Braylen and Evie were happy with their breakfast platter of sausage, pancakes, and scrambled eggs.

In his bow tie and suspenders for his birthday breakfast

One and already addicted to his phone

Booths with pillows?!  yes please!

After some last minute preparations, it was time to get dressed in our animal prints.

Evie and MeMa matched in zebra prints

Proud of these ladies for coming dressed in theme.

The first thing we did was open a few gifts.  

Braylen feeling a little overwhelmed.

Luckily Braylen had plenty of 2 year old
helpers anxious to open cards and gifts for him

Bring on the boy toys!
(even though Evie is the one playing with all his toys)

While Braylen had some alone time to play, the big cousins and Emily made a lion craft.  Notice our example in front of Auntie L.  Also notice how nicely the 3 girls are sitting, completing the craft.  And how, well, Cole is being Cole :)

Auntie L and Lisa (an elementary school teacher) can handle
the craft table with ease!

I kept lunch simple- chili, cornbread, and veggies.  I suddenly love having a child with a winter birthday.  

After lunch, more gifts!

He showed the most interest in his own name stool.

We like cake eating to be the last event so everyone can take their sugared up children home :)  

I love his expression.  He warmed up and ate
a few bites.

Evie, on the other hand, knows this kind of treat
only comes about 3 times a year, so eat up!

And of course, the obligatory family pictures.  Luckily we had Karl to be our photographer.

Braylen's loving family (minus Aunt Jen, Uncle Matt, and Luke)

I think we correctly grabbed the child that most resembles each of us.
What do you think?

Just as our party go-ers started to pack up, it started to snow!  Perfect timing!  We got one last burst of energy out by giving the 2 year olds the balloons.  

Our two hour birthday party was just right for Braylen's big day.  He started off a little shy (just woke up from nap), but by the end he was a party animal.  Hehe.