Michaela's Birthday Party

We decided to have a bbq at the local park for Michaela's birthday. We lucked out with the weather, the first summery day of what has been more of a wintery spring. My mother's group had already had a big birthday bash at one of the mother's homes the weekend before and the kids had an absolute blast. This bbq was going to be more of a family celebration, with a couple of close friends.

This was going to be the first time I made a proper birthday cake for either of my kids. When Michaela turned one I made cupcakes. When she turned two, we had store-bought. GG and Papa made Matthew's cake. At first I was a bit over-zealous and wanted to make a castle cake, but then realised there was too much room for error and decided to start a bit smaller.

 Not that this photo is the finished product! I just took this because I had practised icing on it and thought it would be hilarious to tell GG and Papa that this was the final product. I really cracked myself up with the idea, so I had to share, even though I am sure it is just an inside joke with myself.

Of course, I couldn't resist giving Michaela her gifts first thing in the morning to set the tone for the day!

 Good thing Matty checked the tire pressure, it needed some!

I think I know what he wants for his 3rd birthday...!

 Michaela was stoked with her new Octonauts book.

Practising in the front.

 Ready to head to the party!

 Of course, Michaela's existing party dresses were subpar, so luckily I managed to find this one on sale when I was doing the last minute shopping.

Swinging in the "big girl" swing.

 She was pretty excited to share her party hats with her friends.

 Not sure that all of them were as excited!

 Some of the crew enjoying the sunshine.

 Michaela with friends Brodie and Summer.

 Michaela with friends Logan and Jackson.

 Michaela had a long list of demands for her cake: strawberry flavor, pink colour, Tinkerbell, number 3, and Happy Birthday Michaela. I managed to cover them all!

 Michaela's Aunt Marysia made her "teacups" for her birthday. This was her favorite treat from her second birthday, when she would wake up for days later, screaming from her bed in the dark "I want a cup o' tea!" Luckily she hasn't been as obsessed this time around, but still loves them. Her friend Kobe even managed to keep his pinky up when having one. The cutest thing is all the kids (even Matthew) try to drink them when they get one (instead of eating!)

 Michaela's favorite gift of the day: music box. This made her anti-social for most of the party as all she wanted to do was sit and play with it!

 Michaela's cousin Luca.

 I tried to capture Jackson crawling along with fairy bread in his mouth, but he popped it out too quick. Still cute though.

 Men grilling meat.

 Jackson kept going for the champagne. Explained why there seemed to be icing and sprinkles on the opening!

 Showing off her music box!

 Matt tried to make a getaway on her bike, but couldn't get far. He also obsessed over a pink helmet that belonged to another girl there that we didn't know. He kept picking up and putting it on his head.

 "Happy Birthday to you!" Michaela had a lot of help from the wind with blowing out those candles.

 Michaela still talks about how she got to lick icing off Tinkerbell's feet. I think this was a highlight!

 Matthew ate his weight in fairy bread.

 Tinkerbell and the music box ballerina became fast friends.

 Kobe delighted in turning the water tap on himself.

 You might have had to be there for this one, but Jackson found a watermelon rind that had been on the ground since we arrived and decided it was a delicacy. He was very unimpressed when mum tried to take it off him!

 Matthew has perfected the backwards slide.

 Special visit from Pops, Dave's dad.

 Michaela enjoyed doing her birthday puzzles with Pops.

 Luckily we decided to have dinner outside that night, Matthew REALLY enjoyed his food!

 I had the bath ready to drop him in straight from his chair. When I took his diaper off, a ton of pasta fell out! That chair is still outside.