Eric took Grady out for the morning while I work on the playroom mural (I really need to finish this thing!).  While I wait for areas to dry, I have been scoping out Etsy for more birthday ideas for Grady.  I just ordered that adorable dump truck shirt.  Now I have discovered another amazing seller, called Inkspot Workshop.  She will do custom party packs where you give her your theme, including images you like, and your colors, and she designs a custom invite for you.  The cool thing is, she does an invite, special envelope (lined with coordinating paper), matching return address labels, matching thank you cards, and matching goody bag labels!  And it is only $50/set of 10.  I think I will need about 25 of most things, and then maybe about 40 of the gift stickers, since I am also putting them on the adult favors, which will be chocolate lolipops in the shape of construction vehicles (I just got the molds yesterday - so cute!).  That is really a pretty good price for a whole custom set like that, and it will be so cute for everything to coordinate.

Here are some of her gift tags, just to give you an idea:



She has been featured on several well-known entertaining blogs, so I know her work must be a good quality.  She also has 100% positive feedback (from over 100 buyers) on Etsy.  I am so excited to start working with her!  I thought I had my mind made up about those other invites, but then I saw her shop, and I am too excited about this!

So I have decided that Grady's second birthday party (yes, it is over 3 months away still) will be a construction theme!  

*I found chocolate lolipop molds in the shape of construction trucks at Hobby Lobby - I plan on making those for adult favors. 
*My dad will make a large banner to stretch across our fence in the beackyard that says "Happy Birthday Grady" and has trucks on it.
*I love these invites:




*Target had mini orange cones and hardhats in their dollar bins, but they seem to be gone already.  We have tons of Targets close to us, so I may check some more.  Otherwise, I can get them from OTC.  I want to use them as part of a centerpiece.

*This etsy shirt can be personalized with a name and stuff:



*Maybe this bounce house?



*I want to give each kid a small Tonka truck as a favor when they arrive.  Then we will have fun areas set up to play with the trucks during the party (I figure 2-year-olds are too little for real games).

*These are so cute:



*Eric can get tons of construction stuff (signs and stuff) to decorate

I'm so excited - planning can begin!  Though I am in no rush for G to turn 2!

Well after a mega-long bout of croup for G, he is FINALLY 99% better.  His sleep is also getting back to normal - more so every day.  Now Eric and I both have his cold, but I'll take it.  At least we can't get croup!  Whatever - a  cold is a cold.

This morning we went to a playdate at the mall play area.  G was in a great mood - smiling from ear to ear most of the time.  I got lots of nice comments about him, which is always great to hear!  This afternoon we may do open play at Gymbo, then we have a busy schedule all week (partially due to make-ups from last week):

Tuesday - Kindermusik
Wednesday - Kindermusik make-up; playdate in the PM
Thursday - Gymboree
Friday - visit to a local fire station - set up special by a local mom's group
Saturday - Gymbo make-up (probably with Eric while I pack)
Sunday - head to Florida, where we will be until the following Sunday!!!

So I am back to thinking birthday ideas, and I am thinking that it is between construction, Elmo, and football.  Here are a few things I love from each idea: