A NEW PHASE....

I'm new to grandma-hood.......one little glitch....our little guy lives on the West Coast......a minimum travel day by air of at least 10 hours.

 So, of course all gatherings are even more special.....and his 2nd birthday party was very special indeed.  The theme was 'farm'.....with all the touches my creative DIL and her parents could dream up.

 Activities for big and little people were found at every turn.  Here's a station where stickers, glue, and markers were used to make cards.

 I used metal animal shape cookie cutters to make P & J sandwiches.

 String cheese sticks and other individual treats allowed children to help themselves.

Animal cookies and cheese fish crackers add to the fun.

 The overall theme was built around a 2 hour petting zoo!  Now don't shake your head....I must admit I too was a bit apprehensive when I learned the plans.  Thinking it was a bit over the top, BUT....it was perfect.....so well done and everyone, large and small loved it. We all learned so much.

The 'team' arrived with rabbits, a tortoise, goats, sheep, chickens, and a lama.  Their pig was about to bring piglets into the world, so she stayed at home.

 Here's the birthday boy petting a rabbit.  All the animals were gentle, friendly, and the staff was incredibly professional and responsible.

 Because the weather was a little cool, the 'water' play station was filled with rice instead.  The kids loved it.

 Raiden and Grandpa H. were saying goodbye to the animals as the staff loaded them back into the van.

My nearly week long trip included a visit with my brother in Oregon, then onto San Francisco where the weather was the best I ever experienced there.....which included a birthday party and a Mother's Day celebration......growing older definitely has its perks.