We had a smashing weekend of fun celebrating Mazen’s 2nd birthday! We hosted our closest toddler friends for a dinosaur-themed party on Saturday evening, and Sunday was full of presents, soccer, school busses and more celebration.
Mimi and Papa made the long drive from South Carolina to celebrate with us!
For the party, there were blow-up dinosaurs big and small that my mom found on Oriental Trading!
We gave away dinosaur cups for favors – practical because the kids used them at the party as well. {Also from Oriental Trading}
These giant balloons were the show-stopper!
Build A Balloon sent them to us to help Mazen celebrate. They were so much fun, and totally gorgeous in our back yard!
To eat we had chips and yogamole, watermelon, bean salad that Karen made, and burgers with all the fixins.
I was too busy running around with toddlers (literally!) to snap any photos of the burgers, but they were perfection!
Post-nap juice with Grammie
Snacks with KK!
{Canadian Karen – the wine was fab!}
The cake was from Sweet Haus and was oh-so-cute!! We also had 50 mini cupcakes, but alas, no photo!
Happy Birthday to you!! (The only way to get 10 toddlers to sit still? Promise cake!)
Can you tell this is the moment they saw the cupcakes!?
We were really, really lucky with the weather – no rain and gorgeous sunshine! The forecast all week was calling for rain. However, it was beasty hot, and Mazen did his best to look like a hot sweaty mess for all of his birthday photos ; )
Best buds!
Party aftermath.
Mazen’s actual birthday was on Sunday. I remember when I went into labor it was very hot out, and when we came home from the hospital fall had arrived. It seems the same weather pattern is happening two years later because Sunday’s weather was perfect as can be! Not even 80*!
Mazen started the day with some gifts!! A few from his friends…
And several from Papa and Mimi
Thomas all the time!
He got this fire station from Grammie + Pea! Karen got him a police car that lights up and doors that open, and Mimi and Papa got him a bulldozer. He loves his transportation!
We all had a big birthday breakfast – eggs, bacon, watermelon and rolls.
And eventually, we made our way to my soccer game!
<Begin sarcasm>
This is me sprinting toward the goal…
No one was about to take away the ball from me here…
This header went right to someone’s open feet…
And this was a perfect goal!
<End sarcasm.>
M always says “Mommy plays soccer!” with such enthusiasm, but when he sees me on the field playing he cries until I come off and hug him.
For most of the game he played on the sidelines with the family
New shirt from Papa!
Future player!
His birthday was totally made when he got to get up close and personal with a row of school busses!!
We came home and ate leftover burgers for lunch. Hit the spot!
During naptime Matt assembled our gift to M – a cozy coupe truck!
Talk about the happiest toddler on the block!
We also got him some new art supplies that he tested out the morning before (I couldn’t resist giving them early!)
For his birthday dinner we all went out to Bella’s, a family-style Italian restaurant in town.
Vino for the table
We shared the calamari
Bruschetta
And the grilled gorgonzola salad – loved this!
Plus two pasta dishes – a meaty marinara and a seafood pasta.
Happy, happy birthday my little boy!!
clare @ fitting it all in says
happy birthday mazen duke!!!
Kori says
What a perfect celebration!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Aw, adorable! Happy birthday Mazen!
emily says
Aww, I love the dino party! The cake looks so cute.
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
Happy Birthday! The toddler line up pic is adorable!
Simple Green Moms says
My Little Man just turned 2 on August 28 and I must say, you took amazing pics even if he was a hot sweaty mess =) it is impossible to get them to hold still especially when the birthday party events!!!
Kelly says
Happy birthday to your sweet boy! What a great birthday weekend for all!
Katie says
Happy birthday Mazen! Two years old already, such a fun age. Maybe it’s time for another one? Where did you get your beautiful birthday party dress?
KathEats says
I found it on sale at Belk!
Rachel says
What a great party! Also, Kath I love your dress and that purple shirt! Super cute
Chelsea @ Designs on Dinner says
Happy Birthday, Mazen! It looks like everyone had a great weekend.
Tonya says
This post was so cute. Mazen has so many cool grandparents to love on him! Really nice dino cake!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Oh my gosh he is just the cutest little two-year old! Well, he and Janae’s daughter brooke! Haha. And all those little kids all together?!? So adorable. And I’m glad soccer is back – it looks so fun! I was always horrible at soccer…
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
Happy Birthday Mazen!! I can’t believe he’s already 2! He’s looking like such a little man!
Elyse says
Mazen gets cuter by the day! What a perfect birthday weekend!
Joanne says
What a terrific birthday! Happy Birthday, Mazen! Can’t believe he’s already two years old.
Caitlyn @ City and the Cubicle says
Can’t believe he’s two! I especially love the school bus pictures.
Adi says
Yay for Sandbanks wine! I have some in my fridge right now. I went for a wine tour there a year ago. Great spot.
Eileen says
Happy birthday, Mazen! He’s really a cutie. The dinosaur cake is adorable!
Erin Shmidt says
I love the new porch couch! Is it home depot?? Love the balloons too!!
KathEats says
Pottery Barn! Love it too : )
Ashley @ Coffee Cake and Cardio says
I can’t believe he’s 2 already. Such an adorable boy! Congratulations to you and Matt!
Phoebe says
What a delight! I just sent this children’s book title to my teacher friends and thought you would appreciate it too – Made by Raffi – Raffi feels different from other kids, but when he discovers knitting and sewing, everything changes, and everyone wants to have something Made By Raffi. I am not connected with the book in any way, just thought it was good around gender inclusion.
Now need to find a book about a soccer heroine!
Actually that may be an interesting topic for your blog (please forgive me if you have already covered it) – the division of toys etc by gender – how to fight it as a parent – I find it tough!
Best wishes.
Resh says
Happy Birthday Mazen! Just curious — are most of your posts going forward going to be mainly photos? Just seems like most of what’s been posted lately are photos, rather than content. As a long-time reader, I’d prefer fewer photos (also fyi – they are large sometimes and you have to scroll down just to see one photo on the screen, which can be annoying).
KathEats says
KERF has always been 99% photos and 1% text! When I did the big format switch I did a bit more text-heavy posts, but photo posts are at the heart of the blog. Thanks for your feedback though, as I do like keeping post styles diverse to please the most people these days.
ali says
Hi Kath, I agree with Resh, but maybe the problem is more to do with the shear number of photographs in each post? I counted to 45 in this post and there were a bunch left after that. It’s just a lot and a lot of them are very, very similar (two of the balloons, three of you presenting the cake to Mazen and also 5 more of the kids waiting for the cake or eating cake, etc). For me, looking through that many photos is simply tiresome and I often find myself looking at the first 5 or 10 and then closing out the window. These photos are most definitely important to you and your family and friends but have much less meaning and impact on your readers. I get that pictures tell a story but strategic editing can have an amazing effect on work like this as well.
Angie says
Holy cow, if you don’t like it there’s an X at the corner of your tab you can press. Why do people feel the need to be critics? You are not paying Kath for her services.
ali says
Actually, this is her job, is it not? She gets paid if people visit here. I’m a longtime reader (and thus consumer) and therefore have helped to support Kath for years. I pay by coming back time and again and reading. I don’t have to do that. However, I’d like to continue to support her. Neither of us were rude, we just had suggestions. Kath can take them or leave them. Kath has been open to asking what her readers want and was receptive above. Don’t read more into it than what there is.
Emily @ Life on Food says
His face is so cute with the school bus. Of course that made his day!
Amanda says
Happy Birthday Mazen. It looks like a wonderful weekend full of family and fun. He sure is one lucky little boy. Thanks for sharing so much of your life with us 🙂
Melissa says
SO cute! and is it odd that now, he just ‘looks’ two?!
Those school bus pictures made me teary eyed. As I put my daughter on the bus this morning, I couldn’t help but get misty eyed. She’s going to be six in October, and I’m planning her party. The thought ran through my head – enjoy all the time you can with him, you’re going to turn around and he’s going to be getting ON the bus 🙁 (or, you know, starting school, even if he doesn’t ride the bus lol).
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAZEN!!! <3
Tracy says
Awww! Happy Birthday Mazen!! Can’t believe he’s 2 🙂
Shel@PeachyPalate says
You are seriously super woman! You always manage to fit so much in to a weekend!!! Awesome pics as always, love the wine shot! The little mini cupcakes at the party are super cute!
Alan says
It’s pictures like this that totally make understand the idea behind Toy Story. I can just see Mazen looking at those dinos and imagining in his mind that they are all interactive and playing with him.
All of the pictures are wonderful and full of love–especially love the ones with mom/son, and with all of the little extremely cute kids.
Jenna says
I agree with the above commenter that the posts are quite photo heavy, lacking content. However, I appreciate more the way she said it because regardless a post still takes work and I respect the work that goes into a post! Just curious as a fellow mother…..why are mazens cheeks bright red? Hope all is well 🙂
KathEats says
I mentioned in the post -he had just finished running in circles and was a sweaty beast right before the cake cutting. Look at the other photos of him – back to his normal self : )
Alex @ True Femme says
Aww Happy Birthday to Mazen! I happened to start reading when Mazen was born and it’s been a fun two years 🙂 Glad you all had a great weekend! That cupcake picture with the toddlers’ surprised/happy faces was adorable!
Anna W. says
LOVE the fuschia shirt in your photo with M and the car. Perfect color on you. Love the fit, too. Random but: where is it from?! I neeeeed one.
KathEats says
White Plum!! It’s super comfortable too.
Tina says
It looks like you all had a lovely time. Mazen has such great expressions!! This whole post killed me with the gorgeous food photography – I definitely need to scrounge something up now because I don’t think I can wait until dinner time anymore!! The bean salad especially got me!
Ashley Saul says
Happy birthday Mazen!
Amanda @Jogging Stroller Mama says
Wow Mazens 2 already! So adorable. I’ve followed him since before he was born. My little guy is only a few months younger they grow soooo fast!
Jeanie says
Happy birthday, Big Boy! I love the picture of all the kids. Great photo.
Michelle @ A Healthy Mrs says
Looks like a great weekend of celebrating — Happy Birthday, Mazen!
Lori S H says
Wow! What a fabulous birthday! Your pics are incredible. You could seriously be an event planner. : – ) Mazen is just adorable and thank you for sharing your journey with us. It’s always interesting as the chapters unfold.
Ella says
So sweet, Kath! Children are such a delight. 🙂
Lauren Paradis says
Hi!! Happy Birthday Mazen! What a great day!!!
Random questions: what devices are you correctly using? (Phone, computer..) you use to have an iPhone right?? Also, what camera do you use for all these pictures?? Thank you ahead of time!!!
Happy September! I love your LATELY posts!!! 🙂
Lauren
KathEats says
Samsung Galaxy S5 – love it!! And I have a Canon Mark II camera and just bought this lens, which I am in love with!!
Lauren Paradis says
You love your samsung? What made u switch over- I swear you wrote a post on it. What about computer?! Thank u!!!!
KathEats says
Yes, I had an iPhone back in 2010 and switched to Android then. I’ve never looked back. I love the Google integration, widgets and user-friendliess. I’m on my 6th HP computer and love them. I’ve had them since about 2008 and haven’t looked back either. Macs have the wow factor, but I think Windows is just more user friendly for me.
Lauren Paradis says
Again, happy birthday to Mazen!!
Love reading your posts!
Thank you for all your technology advice!!!!
🙂
ali says
You’re on your 6th HP since 2008? I would highly recommend switching brands if you are going through computers that fast (and honestly, I just got an HP and returned it after 2 weeks…The quality isn’t anywhere near what it used to be). My last Toshiba laptop lasted 5 years through grad school, an intensive job and my niece’s and nephews playing on it. It was used probably 12-15 hours a day and was a cheap model. I now have an Asus and look over it. Give something else a try next time. You might not really need to be buying computers that often!
ali says
Ha…autocorrect. “look over it” = love it.
KathEats says
That’s between desktop, laptop and netbook for both matt and me. I’ve gotten 3 to 4 great years out of them all before handing them off to my parents
Heathers Looking Glass says
I feel old. I can’t believe he is TWO! Wow!
carol says
Happy birthday to your beautiful son – he is very handsome
Erica says
He is SO cute! Happy birthday little man! We got lots of our party items from Oriental trading too- great stuff! Love the theme (and all of the delicious food). Your dress is gorgeous and love how long your hair is getting!!
Kayla says
Wow that bean salad looks amazing! Did Karen ever share the recipe?
Jo says
Holy cow, that was a FAST 2 years!! Happy Birthday, Mazen! Looks like it was a fun party!
Lisa @bitesforbabies says
I love the pic of all the kids together!!!! I have a ton of those from when I was a kid with all my cousins…they are priceless! Also, that pic of Mazen on the swing is SO cute!!
Sam says
Great post! I love the duvet cover on your bed. May I ask where you got it?
KathEats says
Thanks it’s pottery barn
robin says
Yes happy birthday dear Mazen may God always pour out his love and blessings on you.
Jill says
Loved all the photos..especially the action soccer shots. HB M!!!!
Katie @ A Full Plate says
Mazen is turning into quite the handsome little gentleman! The party looked so fun and I LOVE your dress!