Birthday Party

We had a birthday party for Rylan at our house yesterday evening.  I did a pirate-theme since he loves to put on the pirate eye patch and use the pirate sword (that unfortunately broke the other day) that Carter got from another birthday party and yell "aaarrrrgggghhhh".  He's also a big fan of the Disney Junior cartoon Jake, and the Neverland Pirates.

I ordered cute invitations from my favorite (and super cheap with all their coupon codes) card website, Cardstore.

I took a ton of photos before the party started of all the decorations and activities I set up for the kids.

"Beware of Pirates" ...

"Beware: 2 Year Old Ahead" ...

I set up a coloring table in the dining room because it was super hot outside and I wanted an indoor activity for the kids (however, no one actually colored) ...

I had the party favor bags set out near the front door so I wouldn't forget to give them out (like I did at Carter's last party).  They included a pirate coloring book, pirate stickers, and a Ring Pop.

I set up the pirate dress-up stuff in front of the fireplace.

I put red and black balloons and streamers up in the kitchen like I did for Brian's birthday a few weeks earlier.

Pretty much everything I had for the party was red, black, and white.

I made the cupcakes and used pirate toppers and pirate cupcake wrappers.

I also decorate the screened porch.

I always make the boys a happy birthday banner for their parties.  I didn't get a good picture of this one, but if you click on the photo, you should be able to see it better.

I also did matching flags with balloons on the sides of the screened porch.

I figured it was going to be hot for the party (and it was, the high yesterday was around 95F) so the main activity for the kids were our water toys.

We had the pool, water table, and hose to fill up water buckets.

Once the hose is turned on, this flower is a sprinkler that moves in all different directions.

I set up a bubble area.

I used old bedsheets that I use for painting dropclothes and spray painted a big X on them for "X marks the spot".  This way the kids had a place to sit while playing since we don't have good grass yet in the backyard.

I also had "Buried Treasure".

I put sand in two plastic storage containers and then added necklaces and coins (or gold doubloons as Carter calls them from Jake, and the Neverland Pirates).

After the boys got up from their naps, they went ahead and got their dress up stuff on ...

And then went outside to play with the water toys while we waited for our party guests to arrive.

We had five families over and all the kids seemed to have fun.  Unfortunately I didn't get pictures of everyone because I was too distracted hosting and enjoying the party, but I got a few.

Here is Sophie finding some treasure ...

We got pizza from Jets and brought everyone inside to eat and cool off a bit.  We set up a bunch of beach towels on the floor since everyone obviously wouldn't fit at the kitchen table.

Charlie was so cute in his cowboy hat ...

Carter and Will with Kelly (Charlie's mom) in the background ...

Before everyone headed out, we sang to Rylan and had cupcakes.

Missy got a picture of the four of us ...

Rylan tried out some icing ...

But then he requested a fork.  Like Carter, he doesn't like to get his hands dirty.

Luke has no problem though getting messy!

Apparently cheap beaded necklaces from the Dollar Store and sunscreen don't mix.

Rylan opened his presents this morning.  Carter was obsessed with him opening them while Rylan didn't seem to care (I don't think he knew there were toys in the bags).  I told the boys that Rylan could open them once Brian woke up and Carter kept asking if it was time to wake Daddy up yet.

We had to tell Carter several times to let Rylan do the unwrapping but Carter was still standing right over him, directing him, and getting a look at the presents.

And Carter tried to show Rylan how to use his toys ...

Our friends were so generous and both boys LOVE all of Rylan's gifts!