It’s hard to believe, but E will turn two in thirteen days. I can’t call him a baby any more. In fact, sometimes he acts bigger than V. He certainly defends himself (and initiates scuffles) like a big boy. I’ve slowly been working on some birthday party projects, like cupcake toppers.
The toppers were pretty easy because I used the balloon animal graphics from the invitation.
I separated the three designs, copy, and pasted to a new 8.5 by 11 Photoshop document. Once I had arranged one set of animals, I merged the three together, copied, pasted, and flipped horizontally. Then I merged the two sets together and made a second set, flipping vertically to fit 12 animals per sheet, like this.
I could have made standard circle toppers, but I thought it would be more fun to cut the animals out completely. Carefully, I traced the outline with my blade. They’re not perfect or completely symmetrical, but they are close enough to not notice.
Several pieces of double-sided tape and a toothpick on the back of one.
The press the mirror image on top, sandwiching the toothpick between.
I won’t say these were especially quick (about 1 hour for six toppers) but they are darn cute. With the whole moving thing and all that goes with creeping closer, I don’t know how much of my original plan I’ll get to. But I want to make the day special and celebrate my little guy. Now I have to learn how to make real balloon animals. That’s right, I still have not attempted one. How long do you suppose a balloon animal can hold air?
Have you made cupcake toppers for a birthday? Any ideas for quick and easy decorations?
ourhumbleabodeblog.com 
Those balloon animals are so cute!! I’ve only tired to make a balloon animal once, it looked crazy lol.
Check out You Tube for videos – good luck and have fun!
Love these! They are so cute!
Those are so cute, I love them
Love your invites!! I am curious about your reason to ask for no toys. I’m not trying to be rude, but I feel like a birthday is for the kid, and kids don’t WANT clothes. Clothes are more a present for the parent since it is their responsibility to provide that. Again, I don’t mean to be rude.. I can understand kids having too many toys as it is, but why clothes?
Hi Sandra,
Thanks! The clothes only request is because they already have so many toys. I know my mom will still buy toy or two for his birthday.
For Vincent’s fourth birthday I requested no gifts, and everyone still brought toys. So, I thought I’d make it a little easier and request only clothes. At Christmas, Everett didn’t care about the toys, he liked the snacks he received. I also want our kids to be happier with fewer toys and not turn into unappreciative toy hungry kids. Most of all, it’s immediate family and all are adults. My family loves to pick out cute clothes for the boys and let’s face it, little boys go through clothes like crazy. Really though, we don’t need more clutter in the house and seeing as the no gift policy didn’t work, I just thought would be easier on everyone to give perimeters because people always ask what size and such anyway.
I hope that explains it a little better. I know this request isn’t for everyone, but it works for us and I think that’s what really matters. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
Those are so cute! And I’ve always loved your no gifts/no toys policy.
Cute cupcake toppers! You are more patient than I, Amanda 🙂
Hi Annie! Thanks! Well, I only made six because I just couldn’t justify making more. Ha. But Vincent loves them. 🙂
Thanks!
Amanda
I have also requested no toys on my son’s birthday because our house is about to explode with toys and he is only 2, going on 3, plus he has a new baby sister with even more toys to come. YIKES! Instead I request pajamas, bubble solution, books and games. He only likes to open a few gifts and gets bored anyway, he seems to enjoy the party, sweets and guests a whole lot more. We are also having a balloon animal birthday party in June! My ideas are going in so many different directions and I am so excited to see what you do with yours!! Lots of LUCK!
Hi Renee! The no toy request just makes life easier for everyone, doesn’t it? I much prefer clothes, books, or board games, too. Like your little guy, Everett doesn’t much care for gift opening. In fact, he prefers to line up things he does receive while Vincent opens the gifts for him. Haha. Here’s a link to the actual party: http://ourhumbleabowed.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/beefcake-balloon-birthday/ I didn’t get to go as crazy as I’d like because we’re busy preparing to move, but Ev loved it and that’s all that really mattered.
Thanks!
Amanda