Happy 2nd Birthday Miles!

Miles turned the big 2 on July 17th, so we decided to throw him a birthday party at our house. Thanks to the friends and family who came, the party was a great success!

We went with an Elmo theme this year since Elmo is basically the only kid character that Miles' recognizes (ahh . . . the benefits of not owning a television).

The birthday boy enjoyed his party meal, which consisted of "all things that 2 year-olds like to eat: hot dogs, fruit, chips, cheese, veggies, and mac-n-cheese. (By the way, Stauffer's makes a mean frozen family-size Mac-n-Cheese (only to be outdone, of course, by Trader Joe's frozen mac-n-cheese, which feeds two adults and one child nicely).

Friends Domenico, Mary, and Claire enjoy dinner on the back porch.


Okay, this next photo needs explaining. During the party one of our friends asked me (jokingly) when Brian was going to come out in an Elmo costume. I answered him (seriously) that the only Elmo costume we own fits a toddler. Well . . . wouldn't you know that there were a few toddlers at the party, and one such toddler, our buddy Isaac, volunteered to dress up as Elmo and surprise Miles for his birthday. The following pictures document this grand event:

Isaac gets ready . . .
Elmo enters the garden where Miles is playing with his party guests . . .

Happy Birthday Miles!!

Oh my goodness! Elmo came to my party!!

I can't believe it's really him!

Elmo brought an Elmo cake!!
Great job Isaac! You were a terrific Elmo!!
(I don't think Miles ever knew it was you:)

I told Isaac's mom that they should consider renting "Isaac as Elmo" for other kids' birthday parties. Look at this guy! He even played bubbles with the kids! People pay big money for this kind of party entertainment.

Luke (Isaac's brother) wanted to make sure everyone knew that he was at the party too.

In this photo, Domenico teaches Miles how to put money in his pocket. This was useful because Miles had received $2 in a birthday card. (Incidentally, Miles pulled out the $2 several days later while we were shopping in Target. We were in the toy section, no doubt. This kid is smart . . .)

Time for cake and ice cream!

Note to self: for future reference, balloons are a BIG hit for the 2-year-old birthday party. No helium needed. Miles spent most of the party hitting a balloon up in the air, watching it come back down again, hitting it up in the air, watching it come back down again . . .
Forget the gifts!
1st birthday party: wrapping paper and boxes
2nd birthday party: balloons and bubbles

. . . Before I forget, here are Miles' official two-year-old stats:
Height: 35 and a half inches
Weight: 33 lbs. 11 oz.

WE LOVE YOU MILES!
MAY GOD GRANT YOU MANY YEARS!!