The Best Birth-oween Ever!

For those of you who don't know, Anslie's 2nd birthday was yesterday, on Halloween! What a fun day for a birthday! This year, we tried to incorporate her Halloween costume into her birthday party theme. Anslie was Alice from Alice in Wonderland and we threw a Mad Hatter's Tea Party for her and all of her friends. Kevin's parents, Walt and Connie, flew in from Chicago to help us celebrate. We all joined in on the dress-up fun; Kevin as the Mad Hatter, me as the March Hare, and Connie as Tweedle Dee (we're calling Walt Tweedle Dum because he didn't dress up:). Here are some pictures of some of the fun decorations from Anslie's party. I took some of the pictures, but most were taken by my dear friend, Tonya Peterson, who willingly became our resident photographer for the party (Thank you, thank you, thank you, Tonya! I don't know how I could have run the party and taken pictures at the same time. Plus, it was really nice to be able to be in some pictures with my daughter for a change!)

Paper flowers hung from the ceiling to represent the Singing Flower Garden

Glass vases filled with colored water and a sign that says "Drink Me"

Kevin made the Doorknob from the top of a shoe box, home made modeling clay, and gold spray paint. You could even turn the doorknob to open the door!

Giant playing cards hung from the ceiling

One requirement we had of our guests was that they wear a silly hat to the party. Most complied, but some went above and beyond and shared their adorable Halloween costumes with us. They were all so cute! Once our guests arrived, we set out the Tea Table and let the kids have at it. We also served them lunch consisting of PB&J sandwiches shaped like hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades, fruit and dip, veggies and dip, cocktail wieners, chips, and cucumber sandwiches. They even got to drink pink lemonade with fresh raspberries right out of their tea cups.

Anslie and Gracie

Little Miss "Alice"

Paige

Enjoying "high tea"

Hailey the Kitty Cat

Baby Alvaro

Yum, yum!

Anslie was the BEST Alice!

Ava rockin' her sunglasses

After lunch (and the "tea party") it was cake time! Anslie's adorable cake was made by Michelle Wilkes. It was so darling! We sang "Happy Birthday" and Anslie was so proud of herself when she blew out the candle all by herself!









And then, the presents. We have such generous and loving friends and family! Walt and Connie brought tons of gifts with them from Chicago from all of our relatives out there. And the wonderful friends we have made in Roswell didn't disappoint, either. Anslie had some fun opening her presents (she actually did it by herself this year!!!) and the other kids at the party had a fun time helping her out too. She received clothes, shoes, homemade hair bows (thanks, Jeanine, so cute!!!) a giant bouncy ball, a magnetic paper doll set (soooooo cool!), a baby doll, complete with stroller, high/rocking chair, and bassinet, and a play kitchen with all of the food and dish accessories a kid could want. Talk about a blessed kid!






We had such a fun time at Anslie's party and are so grateful for our friends that were able to make it. It was definitely the best party we have ever thrown and Anslie had a blast, so it was totally worth it!





After cleaning up, naps, and dinner, we then headed over to our church's Trunk-or-Treat where we gave out and collected candy. So fun (and safe)! Overall, it was one very special Birth-oween!