Elle's 2-Year Old Check Up & Cherry Tomato Thief

 I caught this messy baby red handed in the garden biting into cherry tomatoes straight off the vine! She  turned to look at me, a big grin oh her face, with seeds and tomato juices dripping down her face. She was pretty proud of herself. This little girl sure knows how to get into mischief and have fun :).  

 She loves to crawl into bed with Dada some mornings and snuggle and read books

Elle had her 2-year old check up at the pediatrician and is healthy and petite little girl. 

Her health has been very good the last 5 months and she hasn't gotten sick once, yes! She is still anemic  but is steady growth on her curve. She is full of energy, sugar, and spice, and is very bright! Elle may throw the biggest tantrums but she also gives the biggest hugs and flashes the biggest smiles. 

Here are her most recent stats:

Age: 24 months

Height: 33.25 in - 43rd percentile

Weight: 22 lbs 12 oz - 6th percentile

Head circumference: 18.75 in - 65th percentile

Moo Moo! She's 2! (Elle's Birthday Outfit!)

My Mom & I made this sweet lil' cowgirl party outfit. I was lucky enough to find some darling red boots at Old Navy on sale!

I bought a red paisley bandana and my Mom helped me make a casing for the waist band of the skirt, I also used it to make a smaller bandana and a little "2" for her onesie.

Then I sewed some jumbo ric-rac on bottom edge of the skirt. I thought it looked cute on the ground until I saw it on Elle. My heart dropped when I saw her, I love my little big ball of energy! I had to bribe her with fruit snacks and chocolate chips (coveted potty training treats) to pose for me! Ha!

Love this ham! Found these cute mini hay bales at Michael's!

 "Cheeeese!" Love this cheesy grin

Kisses for Dada

I love you Elle Belle!!! 

Moo Moo! She's 2! (Elle's Fancy Cowgirl Cake)

Elle's 2-Year Old Birthday Party!

This year I decided to do a Cowgirl Party! Emphasis on the "cow" and add some red and I went crazy! Do you know just how much cow print stuff there is out there?! It's scary. I had to restrain myself big time...

I'm won't lie, this party was a lot of work, but oh sooo fun! I found myself giddy at times :)

Made this with a canvas, cow print fabric, tissue paper and a hot glue gun in 10 minutes! Ez-Pz

Truman cut an old fence post for me and attached them. Then I watered down some old white paint from the garage with water and brushed it on real quick. I then used my trusty hot glue gun to write her name in cursive with rope. 

To be honest, I wasn't even sure if I was going to do a big party for Elle this year. Life can be overwhelming and I had about 7 other projects in the queue. But... when I thought up the cowgirl theme with cow print and red and started to brain storm cake ideas --I was sold!

I saw many cakes online and took a lot of inspiration from different people. I loved the look of the top and bottom tier being the same. I made a rope out of fondant for the base of each cake and made a set of red boots to be my cake topper and candles. 

These were a fun part of the cake that I proudly came up with on my own. I tried to make boots that looked similar to Elle's with the stars on them. I made rice crispys, shaped them into boots, then carved them further, then covered in chocolate candy melts to smooth out the rice crispys. Then I covered in red fondant, used a stitching tool along the bottom, sides, and top, then I piped some black, and added a few white dragees. To top if off I made stars and spurs and covered with edible gold metallic shimmer dust. Before the party, I drilled holes into the top and put a candle in each. 

Two boots, two candles, for two years old!

Top tier

Middle tier

-This design was tricky! I bought a cake decorating class that teaches you how to do some stenciling techniques but doing it on a round cake was hard! There's lots of imperfections but I am happy with how it turned out! I painted over the white paisley's with black dye to make them stand out more.- 

Bottom tier

-I did a little rope knot for the bottom tier just off center to the left and "frayed" the little ends to make it look more realistic.-

This was my first go around at cake pops! They are certainly not perfect, I actually had 5 bite the dust. When I saw something like this on Pinterest and I had left over cake and frosting and white chocolate --I knew I was doomed! I love the little red ribbons around the neck. I made up a batch of royal icing to pipe the cow print on so that it would harden and keep its shape. 

 I bought red paisley goody bags and filled them with red and white swirl dinner mints and York Peppermint Patties to go along with the theme. I tied them with a ribbon and attached a sheriff's badge to each. 

There were so many different types of plates to choose from but I loved these red and white gingham bordered ones. Who wouldn't want to drink out of one of these cow print cups?? :)

Love this paisley bunting flag

Side views of cake

Moo Moo Moo!

Oh how I love red forks and little swirly straws!

I love the vibrant contrast of the red balloons against the cow print balloons

I think this has been my favorite cake to make yet. I can't say that I'm getting any faster but I am learning a ton and I love the finished product!

Moo Moo! She's 2! (Party Decor & Fun)

Howdy & Yee-Haw! 

Welcome to Elle's Birthday Party!

Our saloon entrance to the par-tay

I'm obsessed with this cow print table cloth!

Thanks to my mother-in-law Becky and neighbor Peggy for helping to bring some salads!

 The cake table all set up inside

Cow print and red dessert plates

I couldn't help myself when I found they made cow print balloons. Are you kidding me?!?!

 Truman blew up all the balloons and I tied them all!

 All the kids loved playing with the loose balloons on the floor

 Truman found this great cowgirl hat at the thrift store right before the party, Yee-Haw!!!

 Dada, Mama, & Elle Belle

Elle sure loves her Daddy, she is always loving on him! She was ecstatic to see the candles lit and have everyone sing her "Happy Birthday!". If you ask her how old she is she'll say "2 old" and I agree Elle, you are getting too old! ;)

 Blowing out her cowgirl boot candles! She blew them out first try all my herself!

I made a red velvet cake from scratch to go along with the red theme. I made a swiss meringue butter cream cheese frosting to torte between the layers. I covered the whole cake in a dark chocolate ganache and then made a marshmallow fondant to cover it in. I also made a royal icing for the paisley design and cow spots on the cake pops. 

 Elle managed to get some play time in the backyard as well during her party

 Elle and her Reis --he even got festive with his red hair dye! He pulled her around in the wagon very gently, it was so sweet. 

 Then Elle decided to try and pull cousin Jett in the wagon

 Elle got this cute Cinderella baby doll from her friend Zephyr and she immediately held it in her arms and started to rock it singing "rock-a-by-baby.". So sweet!

 Auntie Tara made Elle a crystal pink beaded bracelet that has her name on it, Elle immediately knew what to do and demanded it be put on and was proudly showing it off. 

 Elle got the cute tiara headband from "Papa" & Peggy Percy (our wonderful neighbors & Elle's adopted grandparents) and this great shapes puzzle from "Grams" & "Boppa" (my parents). Elle is even wearing the new pink shoes her Auntie Tara & Uncle Pete got her --Elle is really into the eclectic look ;).