Rich and I both grew up with families who did smaller scale birthday parties- always including family and a few friends and were done at home-which we both agree were pretty perfect. So, when we started talking about a party for Joseph a few months ago I really surprised myself at being so "ok" with doing such a large scale party for a 2 year old. I know Joseph's party probably wasn't considered large scale for many people but for us it was...renting out a room at a bounce house venue, having 20 kids attend plus parents, invites, favors, decorations, food-and don't forget-all for a 2 year old!!!! 
However, with all of my reservations about making it "large scale" it really was perfect and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Without having any family close by, our friends here in Texas have really become our family here (as our friends in Hawaii were when we were there) and we feel so fortunate to have become such good friends with such a great group of people that celebrating this occasion with them was perfect. I couldn't have imagined not including them in the celebration since they are such a part of Joseph's and our entire family's life. Plus, being almost 38 weeks pregnant I wasn't really up to hosting a party at our home so the bounce house venue worked out perfectly!
However, with all of my reservations about making it "large scale" it really was perfect and I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Without having any family close by, our friends here in Texas have really become our family here (as our friends in Hawaii were when we were there) and we feel so fortunate to have become such good friends with such a great group of people that celebrating this occasion with them was perfect. I couldn't have imagined not including them in the celebration since they are such a part of Joseph's and our entire family's life. Plus, being almost 38 weeks pregnant I wasn't really up to hosting a party at our home so the bounce house venue worked out perfectly!
Joseph talked about the "bounce house" for a week leading up to the party and was so excited!
He was not a huge fan of sharing this big ball with the other kids-gotta love teaching the concept of sharing!
All of the kids loved closing themselves into this game which wasn't even on but just to be inside the closed door was the greatest time! At all points during the party there seemed to be a few kids playing in it.
Joseph and his older buddy, "Koko" . Kolton is so good with the little guys and it seems that he and Joseph have a special bond-we were so happy he made it!
Weeeeee!
Even the adults had fun!
One of Joseph's signature moves these days is the "belly bump"-Rich has tried teaching him that it is called a "chest bump" but Joseph insists on belly bump. He will belly bump Rich and I throughout the day-sometimes walking up to my leg and just saying "belly bump" and walking into it with his belly. He and his buddy Will have enjoyed doing belly bumps with one another for the past few weeks. Too cute!
Love how this turned out!!
Enjoying pizza, fruits and veggies after all of the playing
There were 21 kids there and it was so quiet while they were eating-they definitely worked up an appetite!
The favors which consisted of a ball, stickers and a whistle.
Joseph in the birthday chair waiting for the cake! Love him!
He was pretty serious at the beginning of the song and then all of a sudden broke into a huge smile and he did a great job of blowing out the two candles!
There's that smile!
And he is still a fan of cake!
I just thought this picture was too cute-looks like they are in mid-conversation!
Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with Joseph and thank you to everyone who doesn't live close enough to celebrate but sent their well wishes.
Now, how do we top this party for his 3rd birthday?!?
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