Buzz Lightyear Party

Can you believe it???  It's already time for Gavin's 2nd birthday.  It is so hard to believe that 2 years ago we were patiently awaiting his arrival.   I remember that day like it was yesterday.  Technically, Gavin doesn't turn 2 until tomorrow, however, we celebrated his birthday a little early over here in The Kingdom since our weekends are on Thursdays and Fridays.  

We threw Gavin a pool party and invited families with young kids who we've been around the past few weeks.  The party was a blast and Gavin had a lot of fun.  I was soooo overwhelmed (in a good way) with the turn out for the party and was amazed with the generosity that was shown towards our family in celebrating Gavin's birthday.  Never, ever, ever in a million years did I expect to be able to throw a big birthday bash while we're living here, but yesterday changed my thoughts on that!  Thankfully, I thought ahead before we moved, and brought over a lot of party supplies with me.  I picked a Buzz Lightyear/Toy Story theme since that is what Gavin's been into lately and bought invitations, plates, napkins, goodie bags, toys, table cloths, and a banner that went with the theme.  I even ordered a custom made shirt for Gavin from Golden on Etsy.  Check her out on Facebook too.  She can make just about anything you want her to.  

I was able to make Gavin a birthday cake- thanks to my wonderful hubby who surprised me and put some cake supplies in our air shipment!  I ran into a little ordeal while making his cake, which I'll post about that later, so this was cake #2 that I started at 8pm the night before and finished around 2am.  I was happy with the way it turned out, given that the ENTIRE cake was made with butter cream (no fondant) and I hand piped it all, which I'm not real good at, but it all worked out.   

Since I made a white cake, I figured I'd whip together some chocolate cupcakes to try and have something that everyone liked.  Plus, I picked up Toy Story cupcake liners (you can't tell in the pic) as well as some cupcake toppers and I really wanted to use them.  The goodie bags were a perfect touch for the little kiddos and I had just enough for all of them.  

Having the party at the pool was a huge hit for Gavin.  He loves the water and swimming.

When we were done swimming, we went back into the "party room" for cake and presents.  We sang Happy Birthday to Gavin and tried getting him to blow out his candles, but he wasn't interested.  He got really shy when he realized everyone was looking at him during the song.  We cut the cake, ate some food, and hung out with everyone. 

Gavin got to open his presents while we still had everyone at the party. Brooks and I got him something from back home that we are giving to him on his actual birthday so last week, I went to Toys R Us in Khobar to buy Gavin some toys so he would have something to open at his party.   We just weren't thinking that other people would bring him gifts since they technically just met him, however, we were wrong.  Gavin was blessed abundantly with lots of cool, new toys that he absolutely loves.  He got lots of Buzz Lightyear toys, Toy Story items, a golf set, some BIG trucks, swimming toys, blocks and legos, and much, much more.  Our house looked like Christmas yesterday.  We let Gavin take everything out and play with it all day.  He had a blast.  Again, I can't say enough how shocked we were with all the gifts that were brought in and we are so grateful for great friends that we've made already.  

Gavin's last gift he got to open was from his Aunt Steph and Uncle Micah.  Stephanie and I picked it up in Khobar the other day and Gavin "tried it out" and LOVED it.  He wouldn't let it out of his sight.  We literally had to hide it in our house from him for a few days.  Needless to say, he was shocked when he opened up the suitcase and saw.....

 A new BIKE!!!! 

It was a huge hit and all the kids oooohhhh'd and aaaahhhhh'd over it.  

Overall, it was a fun birthday party filled with lots of memories and will definitely be a memorable one!