Birthday Festivities in the STL

On Sunday, August 31, we met up with some friends and family at the St. Louis Zoo to hang out and celebrate the boy's birthday. As we were planning it, we weren't thinking about it being Labor Day Weekend, and the zoo being crowded, but it so was. Parking nearly impossible, but several friends and family members who managed it and the heat (the only 90 degree day I think we had in August this year!) to come and play with us.
We started the day with birthday cake for breakfast. I had a vision for his cake, and it would have cost $40 for the local bakery to do it. So, I bought Nemo and Dory water squirters and forged ahead. Sadly, though, it was not to be. One does not become a cake decorator with a piping bag and a geek-like knowledge of "Ace of Cakes". So I got a real bakery cake at the last minute and we ate this one for breakfast.
We even lit candles and sang. Noah for some reason, felt he had to sing "Happy birthday to you! Candles!" and then blow the candles out.
We watched this very determined giraffe for five or more minutes try and get this leaf off this branch. Eventually, as you can see, he reached it, and everyone cheered.

Craig Willmann, our godson, moments before he flipped over the fence rail and onto is back on the grass.
Craig and Noah enjoying a zoo snack of animal crackers and juice pouches (which, I have discovered, do not squirt as badly as juice boxes.)
After the zoo, the party moved to Orin and Erin's house a few blocks from the zoo. Erin and I left the zoo early to decorate and set up. I found a couple fun little inflatable games for the kids to play, including this ring toss, at the party store.
Erin got out her "Ravinia" table and we put the kids's camping chairs at it for their very own spot. It was just a coincidence that the tablecloth matched the chairs perfectly.
The backyard party space. Grandma C's in the foreground.


Noah playing with the fishy decorations.
Craig sneaking the girls some snacks. Gracie's on the left, Penny's on the right.
I guess everyone was sneaking snacks to the dogs!
The thing with Noah and cups is, he can totally drink from one, as evidenced by above. The stinker just likes to put stuff in it as well, like food and wipes and toys. He also loves to watch it pour out all over the table and floor. So, he still mostly gets to drink from sippy cups.

Waiting for cake.
The second cake. I ran into town and to our favorite bakery late on Friday, hoping they would still be open. They weren't, but she had just finished with a wedding appointment, and let me in anyway. I told her I only need a cake piped with "Happy Birthday Noah" and the water squirters put on top. Luckily, they had a blank quarter-sheet cake that she could use. She took it to the back, and a few minutes later, she popped out and said "Can I do something like this?" and she had a picture of a Nemo cake that was airbrushed blue, with seaweed and bubbles piped on it. I told her oh my gosh, yes! Whatever she could do would be great. Ten minutes later, she brings out this fun and yummy cake.
He managed to get one candle out, and cousin Nathan helped with the other.

Presents! He had lots of helpers. A keytar from Orin and Erin. He loves it, and wore it all the next day at home.

Both the kids adore those singing cards, and I found one that sings, "Celebration". Disco always seems to go over well with the two year olds!

Thanks to everyone who braved the heat and the crowds! We hope everyone had a good time at the zoo and at the party.