Bella's COLORFUL 2nd Birthday Party!

Today is Bella's 2nd Birthday! I will post later about her special day and the funny walk we took yesterday with Aunt Lissy when Bella met a Horse and adopted him and named him Bob! This Sunday we celebrated Bella's "COLORFUL" 2nd Birthday! We had coloring and crafts and Bella had a blast! Although I planned and prepared for her party for awhile, we decided to throw it this Sunday sort of last minute. For the past 3 weeks Baby Sedlak #2 was in a hurry so we figured we would do Bella's party the weekend after the baby was born since people would probably already be in town. But then, the baby changed its mind and slowed down. On top of everything, my sister Amanda is getting induced on Wednesday (actually tonight) in Dallas with her twins! We can't wait to meet teeny-tiny Colton and Carolina! Taking all of this into consideration we decided to just go ahead and have the party. We know it was VERY LAST MINUTE but thanks to all who were able to make it! We had a pretty good turnout with 2 days notice. Bella had Grandma Bev, Papa Ted, Scott, Emily, Colin, Rob, Dani, Tim, Kelly, Olivia and Kaitlin as well as Lissy, Grandma Mary Carol, Papa Mike, Ali, Ellie and Lincoln. You all really didn't have to make the extra trip to St. Louis considering you are coming back today and you just hosted a prom dinner... but Bella loved having you here! I think Olivia and Ellie had a blast and Colin and Lincoln (our 2 redheads) really hit it off! They both enjoy the same things like finding things to chew on! I also have to throw a thank you out to Olivia and Ellie who played with all of my crafty activities.

We had a coloring themed party because Bella loves to color and we threw in some of her other favorite activities. We had a coloring table upstairs and a foam sticker craft table downstairs. Outside was sidewalk chalk and bubble wands! I might have to recycle this party when Bella turns 7 and have lots of kids over for her party. Bella also likes "pizzi" and "corn" so we made up a bunch of popcorn, ordered pizza and had a big salad. We also made a Cookie Monster cake (Bella's favorite character). It didn't really go with theme so we just made if very colorful and then it fit! Bella enjoyed opening her gifts because she had some practice the night before at Chase's birthday party. He decided part way through that he wanted cake instead so Bella finished opening his gifts. She got some awesome gifts and I would name some of them but I am afraid I would leave something out! She has had fun finding them around the house and playing with them!

Bella got a short nap the day of the party but it was enough to get her through! She had lots of sugar, lots of fun and the by the end of the evening she looked like she had just wrapped up her 21st birthday instead of her 2nd. She was still in her pink party dress but she decided to add some accessories. Some capris with her new Elmo underwear on top, her new pink converse tennis shoes and on occasion, her princess crown! She was also pretty much cross-eyed and mumbling! Needless to say, she didn't give me much of a fight at bedtime.

Bella has just started singing the Happy Birthday song so she was very ecxited when she realized everyone knew it. Only we didn't say "...dear Tim" which confused her since she is stuck on Tim's birthday.

The Cookie Cake! Only 4 bottles of decorators frosting. We attempted to make blue frosting but Cookie would have looked a little on the dead side.

Lissy fried her fingers hotglueing these adorable crayon party hats or as she might call them "crown crowns" Ryan gives her a pretty hard time for not being able to say crayons. The people at his work said that he says it weird also! These are pretty cute but Autumns Minnie Mouse hats were absolutely adorable!

Thanks Mom, Ali and Lissy (of course) for coming into town early to visit and end up setting up for the party! You guys are the best! Ali, thank you also for snapping some photos of the "details" before because I always forget to take those pictures!

Lissy made these adorable crayons out of broken up crayons. You bake them in muffin or candy tins and mix all of the colors. I told her I thought they would be cool one night and she called me a few hours later and said, "I made the crayons and they are so much fun to make!" This is why she has her own business and I don't. It would have taken me a week to decide to do it. Another week to get to the store and then they never would have turned out. She even used washable crayons!

This picture of Bella reminds me of her Grandma Mary Carol. She is thinking "Now what did we forget?" before everyone arrives.

What??? I'm not trying to sneak my presents!

Uncle Tim kept hiding Bella's presents from her. She kept lugging them over to show him and never noticed that the last batch was missing.

Look at cutie Colin supported the Cards with his mommy!

Kelly was in charge of the foam sticker table. She acted like she was helping the girls but I found some artwork later on that was a little advanced for a kiddo and we all know Kelly likes crafts!

Aunt Kate always makes sure that Bella is having a good time!

These silly girls had a good time together and were eager to do all of my activities! They were the life of the party! Thanks Ellie and Olivia!

Adorable little girls, sundresses and bubble wands! Is there anything cuter? I want to know!

Olivia was a trooper. She made this awesome mural and added all of my requests such as a roller coaster and a water slide. Check out the hot air ballon.

Grandma will do anything to entertain her grandbabies. Thanks for helping Bella with the bubbles because she normally just flings bubble solution all over anyone in her path. Sorry to those who got hit.

Awwww! A little snuggle time for Lincoln with his mommy and his frog. Bella did attempt several times to snag his frog. She also found his paci under the couch and is saving it for him!

Time to dig in! I think this is her birthday crown from Grandma and Papa Early.

Papa is trying to convince Miss Bella how cool her new pink converse are that she got from Aunt Lissy. Bella is trying to convince Papa that the mass of smarties hidden beneath the shoes are more important!
A precious Birthday Crown to wear each year and a cup of candy! Perfect Party!

Lincoln and Colin. Two handsome little redheads! Chewing on anything and everything!

Two crowns are better than one! Starting to get the look she was sporting at the end of the night!

Time for cake! Yummy Yummy Yummy! Me love cake!

Now to begin the embarrasing part of the night. Panties on capris with dress tucked in!

Now add the converse and the look is complete! Crazy attire acquired over the course of the evening is always a sign of a good party!

The party was great but Ryan and I decided that it wasn't quite enough excitement to put me into labor so we decided to add to the fun after Bella went to bed! Our smoke alarm went off randomly and Ryan, always the responsible husband and father called Laclede Gas to check it out. They said they would send someone out and they would also call the fire department. SO...in about 5 minutes we hear the sirens and see the lights and sure enough, a full fledged fire engine complete with flashing lights comes down our street lighting up our dark little street like a Mardi Gras parade and stops in front of our house! Everything was perfectly fine and we got to meet some very nice firefighters but Ryan and I were both mortified! We won't be making that call again but it makes for a perfect ending to our evening! The birthday girl slept through the whole thing!

Hopefully I will squeeze in an update tonight about her special day!