Hot Air Balloon Party

I promise this is the last birthday party post, but I want to capture some of the festive touches that helped make this a real hot air balloon party!

My Mom outdid herself once again this year. Last year it was the cake pops that looked like watermelon. THIS year it was adorable hot air balloon and cloud sugar cookies. These cookies are also known as the magic that got about 10 children to sit still for a photo.

The big hot air balloon and clouds that we had on hand for photo ops for the kids were a hit with some of the kids--others not as much.

We had bubbles and balloons for party favors....

And I made mini hot air balloons to line the deck and driveway. This was a brainchild of mine at about 2AM one night, and I had no idea if it would actually work out or not. Not only did it work, but it was really easy!

We just bought a few washer weights at the hardware store, fishing line and mini brown paper bags. We tied the fishing line to the washer, and taped it to the bottom of the brown paper bag.

Then we taped two pieces of string to the inside of each side of the bag, and tied those ends to the balloon.

Easy! Homemade Hot Air Balloon!!

It was a really fun theme to work with! I think Matilda enjoyed it too, because lets be honest...all a two year old needs is a balloon to keep her happy (well until it flies up into the sky).

Hide and Peek

Up, Up and Away

The Birthday Girl had her official celebration this weekend, and it was festive!

Of course, every birthday girl deserves a party dress....

A hot air balloon party would not be complete without a hot air balloon replica. Matilda happily jumped into the basket and was ready for lift off. Thank goodness is quit raining about 2 hours before the party or I'm not sure how this would have worked in our tiny little house...

And while she enjoyed the hot air balloon, the real hit for her were the sweets. On her actual birthday I had made chocolate chip muffins and we sang to her and did the whole candle bit, and she LOVED it. We relit those candles about 4 times. But on her party, with the candles in an actual cake, once was enough and she was ready to dig in.

And after she got some good handfuls of cake and frosting she discovered the amazing sugar cookies my mom made and had FOUR of those (mostly because Nate and Pop Pop couldn't say no).

Tillie was so lucky to have so many friends come to help her celebrate. It's so fun to see her get so excited now, and she will say "friends comin'!" when we tell her we have friends coming to see her.  She also say "that's funny" when she mean to say something is fun. And this got a lot of 'that's funny.'

And no one gets quite as many smiles and excitement as Eila from Eila. When Matsilda saw her coming up the driveway she RAN to greet her (think Baywatch slow motion running), and then went in for a hug so excitedly that she knocked Eila over. 

On the Row Row. (I swear I put sunscreen on our child. I realize she looks like she has a pageant tan,)

Bea was not present for most of the party as she was napping, but we did manage to get one snap. I think this was post-Pop Pop forcing us to change Matilda out of her party dress because he was so worried she would slip and hurt herself.....(such a softie)

Oh, Matilda. I can't wait to celebrate with you for years and years to come. I am sure our balloon parties will turn into slumber parties which will turn into us meeting you at a bar for your 21st. No matter the age, party or theme, I'll be there to help you celebrate each passing year.

And while your favorite part was certainly the cookies, cake and friends, my favorite moment was when you turned to me while we were taking pictures to give me a big bear hug. I didn't ask for it, nor did anyone tell you to. You just turned to me and wrapped those little arms around me for a big squeeze.

And it melted my heart right then and there.

Reunited

Last weekend was a joyous one, as Emily flew into town from Texas for a some good old fashioned Hanson Family fun.

We were so excited to have her, even though her stay was all too brief. Her time in Minneapolis was so much fun. When she left, it felt like a piece of our family was gone. So we were all very anxious to see her again.

Emily had shipped Tillie an early birthday present of a super cute jungle croquet set. Tillie bucked the traditional version of how to play and instead threw the balls up and down the sidewalk and then bossed us around on who she wanted to chase them.....(we are so screwed when she is a teenager)

I think Emily was a little worried that Matilda wouldn't remember her. Can you tell that wasn't really an issue?

We headed off to Tillie's first true parade, which was part of the St. Louis Park Parktacular festivities. Packed a picnic of BLT wraps, pasta salad and some other goodies. Tillie was a fan of the bacon...

....but absolutely NOT a fan of any mascot, or oversized animal costume. She would start shaking she was so scared and we would head to the chair or the parking lot (depending on the severity of the mascot) and distract her until it passed.

Bea wasn't phased by them...

Emily got lots of snuggles since she was the distractor.

And she knew Matilda's sweet spot (horsies)...to get her back into the parade.

Emily--come back soon. Stay longer. We love having you. You fold into the family so easy and Matilda adores you.  Who else can I talk trashy TV, Candy Crush, and country music with??

TWO!

 Happy Birthday to you, Matilda Mae.

Punky.

Tillie.

Goose.

Til Til.

For the past two years, you have brought us more smiles, laughs, stories and sleepless nights than we ever could have dreamed of.  We love you!!

The Many Faces of Matilda Mae

We have been doing a lot of 'faces' recently to help Matilda learn how to express herself and how she is feeling.

And there is no one better to do this with than her current BFF, Daddy.

There are mad faces.

Silly faces (although Tillie looks a little frightened of Nate)

Happy Faces...

And Sad Faces.

In a Few Words...

First Braids

Hiding her keys....

Ready, Set, Go!

Peek!