Lucy and Oliver's Birthday Party

This weekend we celebrated Lucy and Oliver's birthdays this weekend. 


It was such a fun party!! As usual, I was overly ambitious in terms of party aspirations and had to simplify some things the night before. 



But still--there were decorations, beach balls to play with, good food, an AWESOME cake, and lots of swimming. 


I am always surprised at these types of events how much of my time and energy is spent being hostess, instead of playing with the birthday girl and boy.  I'm not sure you can get around that.  But I am grateful to my Mom-Becky for getting some pictures of me with at least one of the birthday kids. 



I made the cupcakes (the kids "helped"), but I totally farmed out the cake to a talented friend.  Isn't it beautiful? 

It's the clinic where Doc Mcstuffins "works" in her backyard. 



Oliver, since he's still a baby, got carrot apple muffins instead of cupcakes.  Daniel made them the night before. 


Aren't they niiiiiiiice?

 
All the grandparents got to be at the party, which was so fun. 


Mimi is the snuggliest of them all.  


 Gah!  Look at that little girl on that big, big slide!!


Have I told you how much I love before-and-after pictures?  I think the symmetry really appeals to me on an aesthetic level, plus as a mom--I love seeing the growth in before-and-after pictures.


What a difference a year makes, am I right? Oliver was less than 2 weeks old at the last swim party.
 

This little birthday boy has decided he likes to swim.  



Actually what he likes his holding his breath, lunging underwater, and waiting for someone to pick him back up.



But for only having one week of swim lessons under his belt, I think that's close enough.



It's funny how NOT freaked out about it he is. 
 

I think if I couldn't breathe and were completely powerless to attain oxygen, I would be pretty nervous.  But he doesn't seem to mind.



Lucy was like a happy fish.  She floated and swam a lot and seemed really proud of herself that she was so independent.  It was fun to see her so excited.



Elliot was somewhere in the middle.  Definitely not a carefree, happy fish.  But he certainly liked swimming to me.  He's lost his float -- and we're working on getting it back.








Lucy only opened a couple presents at the party.  For the most part, people were busy with swimming and eating. 

Lucy and Elliot opened the rest of the gifts when we got home (I mean... Elliot "helped" Oliver, who was napping at the time).



A huge thank-you to Nonnie, who thoughtfully brought a few small gifts for Elliot. 


He was feeling sort of left out with every gift being for either Lucy or Oliver. 
 

He was tickled with his new train pieces.



Mimi was to thank for Lucy's Doc McStuffins outfit.  It's pretty difficult to find any Disney costume that is actually decently made these days.  But this little ensemble is GREAT -- real clothes, and pretty close to Doc Mcstuffins' actual outfit.


I would call this birthday party a success!  It was fun to celebrate our oldest and youngest (until November) with friends, good food, and plenty of family.  Happy birthday, Oliver and Lucy!