Our Monkey Birthday Girl

Aren't birthdays the best? Everyone needs at least one day of the year especially for them. And now that I have a child of my own, I want my kids to feel especially special on their birthdays. It's just so fun! So I was super excited to celebrate Anna's 2nd birthday now that she understands a little more about what this birthday business is all about.

Anna was so lucky to wake up on her birthday morning to Grandma G! Grandma even gave her a birthday present before breakfast. A new George! Anna was thrilled as you can see.


We spent the day at one of Anna's favorite places, the Children's Museum.

That night we had her favorite Hawaiian pizza from Mellow Mushroom and made a birthday cake. We were glad Dave had the night off so he could spend the evening with Anna too. And Anna was especially glad because Daddy let her do this...

Then she got to open a few presents. And she was pretty excited about that too.

Party Time!

We waited to have her official party until Saturday so that Dave could be there too. I wasn't expecting him to have any time off, so it worked out great! As I have mentioned (a couple of times) Anna LOVES monkeys, especially Curious George. So it was only fitting to have a monkey party. I think my mom thought I was a little crazy, but I had a lot of fun throwing Anna this party!

Anna was excited to wake up and see her house decked out with monkeys. So she had to start her party day off monkey style, with a banana of course.

And then we waited for our friends to arrive for the party.

When our friends started coming, we made monkey puppets out of paper sacks (with help from mommies) while we waited for everyone to arrive.

After our puppets were done, we read one of Anna's favorite stories, "Five Little Monkeys Sitting in a Tree"

Then we did the "Monkey Dance" with the Wiggles. A couple of times... (Sidenote: Have you seen the new Wiggles? Boo! Not as fun. What happened to the Big Red Car and the monkey dance? And doesn't Jeff get sleepy anymore? I miss Greg.) Back to the party, here we are doin the monkey...

After all the wiggling, it was time for some monkey food. So we had peanut butter and banana sandwiches, animal crackers, chocolate milk, and other monkey munchies. (No, I did not make those cute toothpicks. Kudos to Martha Stewart Monkey Party Kit.) I got the monkey plates in a 2 pack at Dollar Tree!

Then time for monkey cake and banana ice cream! I have never actually made a birthday cake in anything besides a 13x9 pan before, so this was a new experience for me. I thought for sure I would screw it up some how, but it actually worked out. My mom and Dave even helped. And I'm so proud! Maybe I'll just buy one next time though. :)

And for the payoff...the cutest puffy cheeks blowing out her 2 candles ever!

We then opened presents and let the kids run around like monkeys. Anna had such a fun time and loved every minute of it. And I did too! She loves birthdays and reminds me that my birthday is next, then it's hers again. And since I'm posting this 6 months late, that's really not that far away! Crazy!

I wish I would have posted this sooner so that I would remember all of the fun little details, but better late than never I guess. Here are a few more pictures of the monkey decorations...

And thanks to my mom for all her help! I'm so glad she could be here to celebrate Anna's special day with us.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my little monkey girl! LOVE YOU! xoxo