it was supposed to rain today. in fact, it’s rained all week late in the afternoon.
but today…
today, it did not rain.
no, today was perfect.
so much so that tears welled in my eyes, oh about ten times.
happy tears because i thought my heart would burst from taking it all in.
the celebration of life.
the gathering of littles.
the fact that the sky was beautiful and that everything fell into place more than i could have ever imagined.
there was music and littles everywhere. red checked blankets and cold lemonade. sidewalk chalk and bubbles. wheeled things. sticky things. sweet things. sunny things. happy things. oh, and so many ladybug things.
papa made special lainey dollars for all the kids…dollars they got to spend on games and treats from lainey’s special laineybug store.
…and then he had to one-up himself and make this ladybug bean bag toss from scratch.
lainey was in heaven and my sentimental heart just caved watching her today.
she knew. she understood this was in celebration of her and yet she humbly ambled on…doing her own thing, stopping to play with the babies (where we can always find her), casually perusing the little stations and soaking up the fact that all her friends were here.
heaven i tell you.
being in the presence of littles just does something to me. and then to combine these little souls with laughter and sprinklers and sunshine and squeals of delight at the sight of crawly bugs and drippy popsicles…seriously…it’s church.
and this one?
it’s difficult to put into words now…and i have one more day to digest the fact that two years now separates us from the beautiful day she entered our lives. and what she has become in these two short years. well, i’ll get there with the words thing. monday, there will be a post just for her.
but for now, i am grateful for the magic that was today.
for the fact that party guests stayed ’till nine, talking in the driveway…lit by candlelight and accompanied by the sounds of jammied littles pushing the limits on their daily fun intake.
grateful for life and everything hers means to us.
…and the fact that it didn’t rain.
happy, blessed and almost two.
~k
I woke up early and I was so excited to see if you posted and you DID 🙂 Wow, what a fun party – and cute too! I cannot believe you found ladybug emery boards, hahaha, that is such a topper! 🙂 Happy Birthday Lainey!!! You’ve got a great big fan club who loves you in Michigan!
Ahhhhhh what a SWEET party!….she is a doll.
xo, Bug’s Gram
What a FUN party. Glad Lainey & all the littles had a blast! I can’t (well actually I can) believe all the creative activities/games you had! LOVE the ladybugs…and that cake, OH MY WORD! Happy Birthday, LL! :o)
Oh..you win..you sooo win. That party? WOW. The cake? HOLY MOLY. It’s awesome. You thought of it ALL…the personalized bags, cups..Lainey’s NAILPOLISH!!!
I am in awe. That party must have been the bomb.
Dear Lainey,
Your mama loves you so so much, it’s like one of those situations where you think if every kid had the love and opportunity you have, the world would for certain be a better place.
The joy of your second birthday celebration has me wanting to meet you more than ever. And, I especially just can’t wait to meet your mama. Because I just know we’ll hug and cry funny, happy tears.
Happy happy birthday Lainey Love. And, happy Birth Day, Kelle.
oh yippeeee…what a FUN party and such a joy to see all the cute little kids and babies having such a great time together. lainey is the cutest in her ladybug outfit and i love the family pic of all of you. the party was ADORABLE with ladybug everything…seriously! thanks for having us and we are so glad we could help the birthday girl celebrate. happy birthday lainey girl…you big two year old! xoxo
What joy for me…to see the thrill of this event in my two generations…and to stay dry in the season I usually welcome the afternoon rain in. Kelle, you didn’t miss a detail…and we all noticed every one. The presence of your friends were Lainey’s best presents. To grow up in paradise…what a gift she enjoys. To take her for a late night walk under the stars and drive home with my top down and heart full was pure bliss. Still revelling in the moment…and to have Lily like me again—ahhh, I’ve still got it!
what a lovely party you gave to Lainey I am sure she will always remember .Pure joy !!!
Lots and lots of happiness , wisdom and spirits
God bless you !!!!!!
I would also dedicate a song to the parents as well ” Let them be little ” enjoy the song and keep it in your hearts
XOXO
Malu
What an awesome birthday party! The way you managed to get the ladybug theme into all the details is lovely. Great inspiration! I might just have to steal some of your ideas when my little boy turns 3. Love your photos by the way!
Now that looks like it was a party and a half! Seriously, the amount of work that must have gone on behind the scenes to make it such a success makes me exhausted just thinking about it! My mouth is agape and I’m just in awe – wow, Kelle, good job as you say in the US!
Happy second birthday, Lainey!
love,
S and C xx
What a perfect party you had for Lainey Love. It was all about the kids having fun.
It was magical! And no rain. Happy Birthday Lainey Love we love you! We are so happy to be a part of your speical day! xoxox Big Hugs
watching baylee leave, legs oustretched and screaming let me know it was a great party. she just didn’t want it to end…that is the certification of a great party!
digthischick is so right … what would this world be like if every child was loved this much?
and not … in a throw an amazing party kind of way … but in a LOVED way. because even if you didn’t have that amazing perfectly executed no rain party … lainey would still be loved the same. it’s evident.
lainey? you are a very very lucky girl. i’m sure that if cora wasn’t napping she would tell you that two is an absolute blast … and she’d love to meet you and talk about it someday! maybe before three?
You threw an incredible celebration for your girl. Every detail so fun to discover and explore. It took a full 30 minutes to even take it all in!!
I agree with Katie…”you did a really good job with the party, Miss Kelle”… 🙂
Thank you for an amazing day, for both kids and grown ups.
Happy Birthday, Lainey Love!
xoxo
jc
oh my goodness…this is a LOVELY post with all of it’s laineybug details. these photos are BEAUTIFUL…it’s like i just attended the party again!!!
dig this chick said it right. hit the nail on the head. perfectly.
thank you for making such a special day for all of us. our kids had the best time. it was so much fun, and it didn’t even rain.
lainey is so blessed to have you as her mama!!!
love you.
Holy Cow!!!! So cute….you amaze me with your talents!!! xoxo
best party i’ve ever seen! you outdid youself! great job, totally worth it! ll looked so happy!
AMAZING! absolutely AMAZING. tears….wishing I could have been there. happy birthday, sweet lainey love….your aunt carin loves and misses you!
Kelle she is so adorable and you are an awesome mom!
Looks like a blast of a Party!
Happy Birthday Lainey:)