Eve's 2nd Birthday

Eve's 2nd Birthday cake

We've had a lot on over the past few days. On Thursday afternoon I went to Eve's Christmas party at nursery; one of the nursery girls had done Eve's hair and she looked so grown up. Unfortunately the party wasn't as well organised as the previous year, which was a shame, but I enjoyed spending time with my girl.

Last year Eve was terrified by our trip to see Father Christmas, and this year was no different. Nursery had set him up in a dark cupboard with some twinkling lights. As I took Eve towards the door she said, 'no, I don't like it!' I picked her up and carried her inside and she cried loudly and cowered on my shoulder. Father Christmas passed me her present and we quickly exited.







She cheered up when she opened the present, which was a small, Mr. Men book. It seemed quite apt that she got 'Little Miss Neat,' as she likes to have her hands cleaned during mealtime if she gets too messy and is always helping to put things in the bin. She even tried to clean the bath the other day with a flannel.

Big girl hair do at the nursery Christmas party

Eve just adores balloons so I bought a big numero dos for her birthday. We set up the balloon with her presents in the lounge the night before her birthday. Daddy seemed to be the most excited; as soon as he heard her waking on the morning of her birthday he sat up straight away and said, 'come on, let's go and say Happy Birthday to her!'

Eve is a very lucky girl and was given some lovely gifts. One of the first things she opened was a tea set from Duncan, Anne and Huey. She absolutely loves playing with it. Eve also received a cute book in the post all the way from Granny Annie and George in Australia, and cute Peppa Pig pyjama's from her key worker, Gemma from nursery.

Eve loves her new tea set

Our friends came over in the afternoon for Eve's party at our house. I think there were about 10 kids altogether with their parents over for our little play date party.

Aunty Claire, Jago, Me and Eve

I was a bit disappointed that I could not convince Eve to get changed into a party dress. 

Elodie looked so cute in hers.

Playing with cousin Jago

Sharing birthday cake with her oldest friend, Arthur.

I had decided that this year I would only bake a birthday cake, and told all the guests that we wouldn't be offering food for the children. However, Daddy got peckish and pulled out a Christmas snack box from the cupboard. Eve couldn't help but delve in when she saw all the different little shapes. We had to hide them from her eventually as we were a bit worried about the high level of salt in them.

Snack attack

It was a fully hectic day of celebrations. No sooner than our guests had left, we got ready to head out for Daniel's 2nd birthday party.

On the way there, as we approached the traffic lights we saw a little girl and her mum. The little girl called out Eve's name, and Eve replied, 'Maisie.' I love that as we walk about our area Eve spots people that she knows from nursery.




Daniels parents Sandra and Julio are from Cuba and are super nice people. They have a 5 day old baby, and I can't imagine throwing a party like they did. It was basically a party that every mum would aspire to. They had all the party games, music, dancing, buffet food, beautiful birthday cake, party bags with balloons - the works! 

Daniel and Eve's friend from nursery, Essen, was also at the party so it was nice for the three of them to get together. Eve definitely enjoyed it, and was kissed by both boys as we left the party.

When I collected Eve from nursery on Friday, news had gone round the building that Daniel and Eve had broken into all the doors of a huge wall advent calendar. They took all the chocolate coins and crammed them into their pockets. It made us all laugh even though it was a bit naughty. 

Eve clinging onto a huge balloon from Daniel's birthday party - shortly after this photo the ribbon snapped in high winds and the balloon zoomed up into the night sky, much to Eve's dismay. 

When we arrived home after Daniel's party I suddenly remembered that I had blown up balloons and had two bin liners full upstairs in the cupboard - I completely forgot to bring them downstairs for her party - oops. The banana cake I made also had a bit of a strange taste as I forgot to buy natural yogurt so instead I replaced it with Eve's strawberry fromage frais. Mummy fails, doh!

That evening during bath time I asked Eve if she had enjoyed her birthday, she looked up at me and said, 'lovely!' She was given a Bath time Pirate Ship for her birthday from Grandad Col and Jeggs and was pretty much wild with delight as she played with it.

Bath time Pirate Ship

These can be bought from John Lewis and Hamley's Toy Shop

Jago and his Daddy, Jody

On Sunday afternoon Claire, Jody and Jago came over. We pulled on our wellies and winter coats and went to walk through the woods together towards Santa's Grotto. We passed the baby rucksack to them to use once Eve became too heavy for it, and Jago used it for the first time. Although he had sore eyes with conjunctivitis he had a nice time riding on Dad's back.

Silly antics in the woods

We arrived for our 'Santa's Grotto slot' a bit early, so we had a drink in the cafe in Arnos Vale Cemetery. The highlight of my weekend happened here - I asked Eve is she needed to use the potty. She said yes. 

I took her downstairs to the Ladies with the 'My Carry Potty' and she used it straight away with complete ease. Super simple; one amazed and happy Mummy. I've taken it with us quite a few times on other outings but she has never needed to use it until now. The My Carry Potty is totally worth it.

Eve wore the zebra wellies in the photo for the first time, and was very happy with them. She pulled them out from under the stairs herself so that she could try them on; and they fit, hurrah. Thank you for passing them on to us Agnes :-)

Walking around the woods was really nice, and the weather was ok too. Unfortunately the Santa's Grotto had far too many people in it, we couldn't hear a word Father Christmas said, or see anything. We waited until everyone had left to try and get a photo, but of course, as soon as Eve spied scary Father Christmas at the end of the room she burst into tears and asked to go outside.

In the coming years we've decided not to visit any more dodgy Father Christmas', and instead keep the idea of mysticism alive.

Eve looking a little glum, but happy to be out of Santa's Grotto

On Sunday evening Eve made a picnic for all her friends in the lounge, this included old toys as well as new birthday gifts. The photo below is the first posed photo that she has really done - we asked her if we could take a photo of her with the picnic and she sat down with Daddy to look at the camera.

Sam and I went to bed on Sunday evening absolutely exhausted but happy. Thank you to everyone that made Eve's birthday so special, and roll on Christmas holidays next week.....